Procurement Specialist

The Procurement Specialist with be involved in coordinating and assisting all Division purchasing and procurement needs through state and agency specific contracts. This position is responsible for completing all types of procurements, including Request for Quotations, Invitation for Bids, and Contract Amendments. The Procurement Specialist will also assist in training agency personnel on the use of existing contract and the purchasing procedures specific to the computer based system used by the Department.

Job Duties:

Writes, solicits, evaluates and recommends awards of solicitations for the Department’s needs

Coordinates needs with end users and develops technical, complex specifications

Creates solicitation documents- distributes, advertises, and responds to questions related to the solicitation

Performs informational meetings as necessary and conducts public solicitation openings.

Conducts evaluation committee meetings; Evaluates offers, including clarifications, presentations and Best and Final Offers

Recommends for award contracts, including securing required documentation.

Provides purchasing expertise and services including, but not limited to- obtaining quotes, reviewing purchase requests, working with staff to clarify requirements, developing specifications, and tracking/following-up as necessary to ensure the proper receipt of goods and services.

Analyzes, researches and compares products, services, quality, availability, shipping and makes purchase recommendations. May make purchases based on the delegated authority

Administers contracts and requests contract extensions as well as authorizing price increases, processing amendments, conducting meetings, post award meetings, conflict resolution, and file Reviews.

Acts as the main information source for end users: Procurement procedures, Arizona Procurement Code, Department and Statewide contracts, Commodities assigned.

Updates and monitors databases that track contracts and agreements.

Verify adherence to contract or agreement terms/conditions and identifies potential problems or conflicts and solve or recommend solutions.

Answer questions or find information for agency staff, the public, contractors and vendors.

Investigate and resolve problems of contract performance to ensure contract compliance.

Notifies vendors of errors/noncompliance, writes vendor performance deficiency reports, and creates/manages amendments to current contracts and agreements.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of Federal and State procurement laws and statutes as well as funding rules and regulations.

Familiarity with contract language, contract management, and contract negotiation.

Knowledge of principles, theories, processes of governmental contracting and agency program/project policies and procedures.

Knowledgeable in accounting practices and the analysis/reporting of financial data.

Familiarity with methods and principles of numbers, their operations and interrelationships including basic arithmetic, algebra, statistics and business mathematics.

Experienced with computer operation including software applications used to process, store and tabulate information or data.

Knowledge of Performance Management (PM), and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Lean methodologies.

Experience in Evaluating and analyzing programmatic and fiscal data and maintaining complex record keeping systems.

Ability to learn, interpret and apply Federal and State laws governing assigned program areas.

Establish and maintain working relationships with contracted and governmental agency representatives and special interest groups.

Prepare and analyze technical specifications and bids.

Ability to manage several, shifting priorities simultaneously.

Support a diverse multi-cultural workforce that reflects the community, promotes equal opportunity at all levels of public employment, and creates an inclusive work environment that enables all individuals to perform to their fullest potential free from discrimination.

Selective Preference(s):

Bachelor’s Degree in Business or related field and 2 year of procurement experience. Preference will be given to candidates with governmental experience.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Driver’s License

Driving is required for State Business.

Employees who drive on state business require possession of and the ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any driver training (See Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.11).

Benefits:

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

Affordable medical and dental insurance plans

Paid vacation and sick time

10 paid holidays per year

Wellness program and plans

Life insurance

Short/long-term disability insurance

Defined retirement plan

Award winning Infant at Work program

Credit union membership

Transit subsidy

ADHS Student Assistance Pilot Program

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

To help you build a financially secure future, the State makes monthly contributions to finance your retirement benefit. The State will make a contribution to the ASRS in an amount equal to your contribution. In other words, you and the State will each pay 50% of the total cost of the benefit. New State employees have a 27 week wait period for contributions to begin.

Arizona State Government is an EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 542-1085. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. DHS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All newly hired employees will be subject to E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification.