School Procurement Officer

Fiscal Services Department

Full-Time, Exempt

The School Procurement Officer provides strategic leadership in initiating best practices in purchasing as well as implementing efficient and effective business processes for the School Division. Leads the collaborative efforts of major stakeholders to ensure widespread buy-in, acceptance, and implementation of best practices related to procurement. Performs specialized, complex, and technical duties related to the processing, purchase, and acquisition of materials, supplies and equipment, contractual services and professional services. Essential functions include, and are not limited to the following:

• Serves as the School Division's primary liaison to and works in compliance with the County's Purchasing Department
• Provides overall leadership in ensuring compliance of policies and procedures of the County/School purchasing programs;
• Provides technical oversight and leadership over work performed by School Division purchasers;
• Develops and implements internal operating procedures pertaining to procurement activities to ensure compliance with policies and procedures;
• Acts in an advisory capacity to schools and departments by providing insight and guidance on all School Division related procurement activities;
• Develops and coordinates training for School Division purchasers, including on-site individualized training, and ensures that such training is completed;
• Purchases a variety of goods and services requiring complex and difficult market research;
• Develops, participates, and advises on competitive requests for proposal (RFP) documents and invitation for bids (IFB) documents;
• Performs cost and other financial analyses to identify areas that can improve efficiency of resources and operations;
• Conducts research for availability of contract vehicles from the state, county, Council of Government jurisdictions, and national cooperative contracts;
• Conducts market research to determine sources for goods and services;
• Assists school purchasers in troubleshooting unique circumstances, vendor disputes, or other challenges;
• Serves as the School Division's primary point of contact for the Purchase Card Program;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Thorough knowledge of procurement regulations, functions, and management systems, business methods, markets and purchasing practices; thorough knowledge of the laws relating to public purchasing; ability to research, analyze and develop solutions to complex issues, procedural and operational issues and communicate complex information, regulations and policy, both orally and in written format; ability to write clear and concise specifications; thorough knowledge of School Division practices and operations; ability to establish effective working relationships with principals, department heads, administrative staff, vendors and the general public, ability to express ideas clearly and concisely.

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in business management, school administration, or a related field and five years related experience, preferably in public sector or local government. Certified Professional Purchasing Officer (CPPO) or Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) certification is preferred. This certification must be satisfied within an agreed upon duration, depending on the credentials of the candidate hired.

Physical Conditions and Nature of Work Contacts: Work is typically performed in an office setting primarily sitting at office equipment and files; with occasional light lifting and other limited physical activities. Operation of computer office equipment is required. Frequent travel to school sites throughout the County and occasional regional travel is required. Attendance to meetings outside the normal duty hours may be required. Regular involvement made with department directors, principals, and administration. Usually there is a need to motivate, establish rapport, gain support, persuade or influence individuals or groups. Occasional debate is often characteristic of the contact and may require considerable skill in diplomacy, tact and discretion.

Evaluations: Performance will be evaluated on the ability and effectiveness in carrying out the above responsibilities.

Salary: Hiring Scale: $68,585 - $82,302 annual equivalent/based on qualifications, and internal equity.
Full Range: $68,585 - $111,951 annual

Internal candidates will receive pay adjustments in accordance with County School Board Policy, GCBA-R.

Application Deadline: Until Filled