Procurement Strategist II

Job Summary

Provides high level, independent professional support to user Departments related to formal competitive solicitations, purchase order issuance, SAP related transactions and other programs and projects.

Essential Functions

• Oversees section staff in the absence of the assigned manager; leads or assists in mentoring other agents, technicians and/or specialists by providing high level expertise, guidance, and direction. Handles more complex bids, and contracts.
• Receives reviews and analyzes procurement requests; discusses purchasing needs, objectives, and any special circumstances or requirements with requesting division(s); and determines most appropriate means of procurement which will ensure compliance with County and State procurement regulations, meet the users' needs, and obtain the best value for the County.
• Reviews and authorizes/rejects purchase (including work order and change order) requisitions or assists with the review of purchase requisitions.
• Ensures completeness and accuracy of purchase orders and that appropriate authorizations and supporting documents are included; analyzes and summarizes data and draws conclusions pertaining to various purchases and procurement strategies.
• Reviews and authorizes/rejects single source purchase requests; ensures that a diligent effort has been made to locate competitive sources and that the purchase is of best value to the County.
• Prepares solicitation packages for Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Invitations for Bids (ITB) and other formal solicitations; writes and/or assists Divisions with developing technical specifications and scopes for desired products and/or services; and meets with users and Division personnel to verify that specifications/scopes are consistent with end-user demand; ensures that all solicitations comply with applicable regulations, that they consider current market conditions; and that they will elicit competitive bids/proposals from a variety of vendors; prepares addenda to solicitations as necessary.
• Organizes and conducts pre-proposal and pre-bid conferences; and serves as point-of-contact with prospective vendors submitting proposals and bids; conducts public openings and preliminary reviews of proposals meetings; organizes selection committees and presides over committee meetings to evaluate bids/proposals and select a vendor; prepares award documents to notify vendors of successful bids; develops, negotiates, and administers contracts with selected vendors; and prepares contract-related documentation; ensures bid openings, proposal closings, evaluation/selection meetings and activities comply with applicable regulations.
• Responds to questions, complaints, formal protests, and disputes to minimize conflicts resulting from the procurement process; presents and defends procurement decisions; maintains a file documenting procurement process and decisions.
• Provides guidance and direction to County managers and department heads regarding all phases of the procurement process and related activities; researches and resolves complaints from users regarding procured products or services; serves as liaison between vendors and Division product/service users; works with finance personnel in researching and resolving financial and/or accounting questions which pertain to procurement activities.
• Conducts market and vendor research; interviews prospective bidders to update existing knowledge of marketing conditions and technical knowledge; investigates and develops new sources of supply to enhance competition; maintains lists of vendors, prices, resources, and suppliers.
• Leads assigned technical and clerical staff, including assigning duties, reviewing assignments, and coordinating work activities.
• Monitor performance of various contractors and consultants to ensure compliance and anticipate and plan for future appropriate actions; reviews, approves, or intervenes regarding the processing of vendor pay requests to confirm compliance against contract terms and conditions.
• Reviews, analyzes, creates, and maintains standard contract language, forms, and related documents; plans, initiates, and conducts strategic contract negotiations; drafts or reviews, negotiates, and processes contract modifications such as change orders, amendments, and supplemental agreements; prepares or reviews non-standard contracts for review and approval by County Attorney.
• Prepares, implements, and updates contract related procedures pertaining to all Board of County Commissioner divisions; interprets purchasing policies and procedures to contractors, consultants, and vendors.
• Monitors and quantifies contractor/vendor performance; handles contractor/vendor performance issues at the division level through telephone calls, email, letters, and/or direct contact; directs complex contractor/vendor performance issues to the County Attorney's Office.
• Researches, investigates, initiates, and coordinates the assertions and defenses of contract claims with end users, contractors, vendors, consultants, and legal counsel.
• Assists Divisions with resolution of contract disputes including answering questions and/or directly intervening on behalf of the division with the appropriate parties.
• Attends initial pre-construction meetings for construction projects.; participates in acquisition planning activities for large projects and annual work schedules.
• Receives reviews and processes emergency purchase orders and emergency contract changes. Prepares and maintains required documentation.
• Develops and delivers customer-oriented procurement-related training curriculum for County staff, vendors, and the public; copies and distributes production and training-related documents to division within the Board of County Commissioner.
• Assists with the transfer, sale, and disposition of surplus property.
• Assists with the administration of the County's purchasing card program.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Four (4) years of related experience.
• Candidates without a degree should possess four (4) additional years of related experience.
• Fingerprinting required. LICENSES/CERTIFICATES
• Certification as a Certified Public Purchasing Officer or Certified Professional Public Buyer or equivalent is preferred.
• May be required to possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License with any applicable endorsement(s) to drive a county vehicle as provided in CMA 5805.

Supplemental information

• Salary offers above the minimum pay grade may be considered based on qualifications.
• Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared or declared emergency. The County's Administrative Office will determine who will be required to work on an incident-by-incident basis.
• This job posting is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.