Supervisor - Procurement Specialist I (Buyer) - Purchasing

About the role

Mesa Public Schools is recognized as one of the Best Employers in Arizona by Forbes and as the Best Place to Work in East Valley by the East Valley Tribune. This role is within the district's administrative or purchasing department.

Responsibilities

• Hire, assess, and oversee the performance of assigned staff members
• Develop and compose specifications, scope of work, technical questionnaires, contract terms and conditions, and pricing pages for Invitations to Bid, Requests for Proposals, Requests for Qualifications, and Requests for Quotations
• Conduct Pre-Bid/Proposal conferences and document information for addenda; develop and compose bid/proposal addenda and contract amendments; attend openings; perform product and cost evaluation; prepare tabulation of responses and a comprehensive justified award recommendation
• Review and evaluate proposals for adherence and responsiveness to RFP guidelines; negotiate contracts based on RFP requirements and submitted proposals; ensure the quality of content, format of solicitations, and contract documents, correctness of technical advice, and accuracy of mathematical calculations
• Draft responses concerning contract award decisions; contract compliance issue letters; resolve or mediate product, services, projects, and/or contractual issues
• Manage multi-year and term contracts; maintain cost containment within existing contracts; monitor contract insurance requirements, expiration, usage, and expansion terms
• Conduct extensive research to develop specifications, add potential suppliers, and reduce district costs; conduct site inspections, vendor visits, demonstrations, seminars, exhibits, and contract negotiations
• Communicate with district personnel regarding purchasing needs and responses to inquiries
• Maintain state-required recordkeeping to comply with all internal and external audit requirements; maintain proper inventory levels of warehoused items
• Assist in the strategic planning and development of departmental policies and procedures
• Collaborate with department and school leaders, supervisors, and staff to align processes and procedures, while actively seeking their input; leads or participates in joint committees and working groups
• Focus on continuous improvement by analyzing data, assessing systems and timelines, and recommending adjustments to enhance procedures and strategies; provides root cause analysis and suggestions to the administration
• Identify opportunities to optimize the use of various information systems, and liaise with system representatives to stay informed on updates and explore potential improvements
• Work with administration and staff to identify ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness in assigned areas and related departmental functions
• Develop and execute both short- and long-term goals for assigned responsibilities
• Stay informed on federal and state laws and best practices relevant to the assigned area through ongoing research
• Perform additional tasks related to areas of responsibility as assigned by administration

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration with specialization in Materials Management
• CPPB or CPPO certificate highly desired
• Minimum three years’ purchasing experience
• One to three years’ experience in a supervisory or leadership role
• Public procurement experience

Skills & Competencies

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community
• Comprehensive knowledge of procurement practices, principles, procedures and policies; concepts of negotiation, principles and practices of administration and fiscal management
• Working knowledge of accounting, business law, theory, hands-on and common business practices related to public procurement
• Ability to analyze and interpret various state and federal laws relating to contracts; to analyze and resolve problems; to prioritize and handle several complex tasks simultaneously; and to be objective in decision making
• Ability to perform life cycle cost analysis; to be skilled in statistical and abstract data analysis, contract negotiations, programmatic/fiscal data analysis and evaluation
• Ability to effectively communicate (verbal and written) with district personnel, vendors and general public; to be tactful and diplomatic
• Comprehensive knowledge of procurement practices, principles, procedures and policies; concepts of negotiation, principles and practices of administration and fiscal management
• Knowledge of Uniform Commercial Code, Arizona Revised Statutes, Arizona School District Procurement Rules and USFR; federal and state laws, statutes, funding rules and regulations pertaining to contractual agreements; Arizona Procurement Code and Contract Law

Benefits

• Vacation, sick leave, holidays
• Retirement matched through the Arizona State Retirement System
• Health and life insurance

Pay

$60,252.00 Base Salary

Schedule

12 months