Director of Procurement

Subject to administrative determination of policy, to plan, organize and manage the activities and staff of the centralized purchasing functions of the County. This is an executive leadership position and an incumbent in this position serves as the Purchasing Agent for the County of Santa Clara. This position reports directly to the Chief Procurement Officer.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Typical Management Responsibilities

• Plan, directs and coordinates the activities involved in the purchase of goods and services for County departments, centralized storage and issuance of commonly used items, and centralized redistribution and disposal of surplus equipment, materials and recyclable salvage materials;
   
• Develops and administers policies and procedures for the procurement of supplies, materials, equipment and services;
   
• Provides proactive purchasing services to client operations in reaching cost effective solutions to purchasing challenges and opportunities;
   
• Selects, hires, supervises, evaluates and ensures training of subordinate staff;
   
• Develops, recommends and monitors the Department budget;
   
• Promotes a customer service orientation while adhering to statutory and regulatory requirements;
   
• Develops and implements procedures for use in competitive bid and negotiated procurements;
   
• Reviews and approves contracts and/or agreements for service of significant cost and scope;
   
• Works closely with County department heads or their representatives in the development of short-term and long-range planning in order to anticipate/satisfy organizational needs;
   
• Promotes standardization of equipment and supplies;
   
• Maintains contacts with sources of supply such as representatives of manufacturing concerns, contractors, vendors and sales staff to keep informed of price trends, availability of supplies, new items, and reliability of suppliers;
   
• Directs the storage, control and issuance of materials and equipment;
   
• Manages the maintenance of perpetual inventory of materials on hand, posting of goods issued, and disposal of obsolete County property and surplus property;
   
• Prepares and/or directs the preparation of detailed reports and correspondence;
   
• May be assigned Disaster Service Worker duties as needed;
• Performs related duties as required.

Considerable managerial level experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the typical management responsibilities and the possession and application of the following knowledge and abilities.

The qualified candidate would typically possess either a) education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in Public or Business Administration or a closely related field or b) a valid professional certificate from the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, the Institute for Supply Management (formerly the National Association of Purchasing Management), or the National Contract Management Association and either a) three (3) years recent experience managing or supervising a large purchasing operation or b) five (5) years recent administrative level experience managing a department or a major division within a large organization.

Experience managing or supervising a public purchasing operation is desirable. ISM or UPPCC Certification is highly preferred

Knowledge of:
 

• Principles, practices and techniques of administration, organization, budget preparation, personnel management, supervision, training and development, financial administration, and public relations;
• Techniques of organizing and motivating individuals and groups;
• Knowledge of center-led strategic sourcing;
• Methods of administrative problem solving and the implementation of effective solutions;
• Principles of management analysis and organization design necessary to formulate and implement administrative policies;
• Available information systems technologies which enhance business practices;
• Contract preparation, negotiation and administration including the development of procedures to ensure compliance and conformity with contract terms; and
• Basic practices and principles related to purchasing and procurement;  

• Plan, organize, control and evaluate the activities and staff in the provision of purchasing services to a large public organization;
• Use judgment and initiative in making recommendations and resolving problems that are highly complex and sensitive in nature;
• Formulate and implement policies and procedures for carrying out the functions of the Department;
• Develop short-term and long-range plans to anticipate service and supply needs for the County;
• Learn the methods employed in the preparation of specifications and analysis of bids, ordinances and regulations governing public procurement; characteristics and types of materials, supplies, and equipment suitable to meet the needs of a large government jurisdiction;
• Identify and implement information technology solutions related to on-line purchasing systems and centralized on-line systems for the acquisition of goods and services;
• Develop and recommend effective courses of action to satisfy customer needs;
• Utilize information technology systems to facilitate on-line purchasing and centralized acquisitions;
• Prepare departmental budget, monitor expenditures and revenues, and identify and effectively utilize all available resources;
• Ensure that Department activities conform to purchasing and contracting laws and regulations;
• Evaluate programs using outcome data to determine the effectiveness of components and implement modifications as necessary;
• Coordinate purchasing and contracting services with County departments and public/private agencies;
• Make difficult decisions and award contracts impartially and objectively;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the County Executive, County department heads and staff, other governmental agencies, and vendors; and
• Communicate effectively in both oral and written form.