Contracting & Procurement Specialist

State of Oklahoma•Oklahoma City, OK

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Contracting and Procurement Specialist manages and supports the full procurement lifecycle, including requisition review, sourcing, solicitation development, evaluation, contract award, and vendor management. The role ensures compliance with the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act, administrative rules, agency policies, and established procurement procedures. It collaborates with leadership, vendors, and internal stakeholders to develop specifications, scopes of work, and evaluation criteria; administer competitive bidding processes; leverage statewide and cooperative contracts; resolve contract and vendor performance issues; and provide training on procurement processes and systems such as Oracle Fusion. The position also builds vendor relationships, improves procurement efficiency, identifies process gaps, and implements continuous improvements to reduce delays and support organizational goals. This is a full-time, in-office position located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Compensation is $29.95 per hour, or $62,300 annually. The role works primarily at a computer in a comfortable office setting where noise is usually mild.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree, preferably in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or a related field, plus two years of professional experience in purchasing or procurement; alternatively, at least five years of professional experience in purchasing or procurement.
Knowledge of contracting methods for procuring a wide variety of goods and services, state purchasing laws and regulations, assigned commodities or services, sources of supply, and developments, trends, and economic factors affecting procurement.
Ability to write and review purchase specifications and requisitions; evaluate bids and award contracts; identify sources of supply; monitor contract performance; establish effective working relationships; and communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Nice To Haves

Certified Procurement Officer (CPO) II certification; candidates who do not hold it must obtain it within the timeframe established by the agency.
Demonstrated experience with competitive bidding processes and contract management.
Strong knowledge of the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act and OMES procurement procedures.
Experience with ERP systems such as Oracle Fusion, PeopleSoft, or similar.
Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Exceptional organizational, communication, and time-management skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with team members, leadership, and external stakeholders.
Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, and common sense in decision-making.

Responsibilities

Manage and support the full procurement lifecycle, including requisition review, sourcing strategy, solicitation development, evaluation, and award.
Assist with competitive bidding processes, including RFQs, ITBs, and RFPs, in accordance with Oklahoma statutes, agency policies, and applicable thresholds.
Work with leadership to interpret and apply the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act and related administrative rules.
Follow standard operating procedures for procurement functions.
Train staff, end-users, and internal stakeholders on procurement processes and system usage, including ERP systems such as Oracle Fusion.
Use statewide and cooperative contracts when appropriate to maximize efficiency.
Develop and maintain relationships with vendors, contractors, and service providers.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define scopes of work, specifications, and evaluation criteria.
Assist in resolving vendor performance issues, disputes, and contract discrepancies.
Identify procurement process gaps and implement improvements to reduce delays and rework.
Support the agency P-card program, including cardholder applications, account maintenance, spending-limit changes, and card cancellations, subject to required approvals.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Benefits

Annual benefit allowance of up to $21,934 toward insurance premiums for employees and their families.
Comprehensive insurance plan options with no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent-care expenses.
Pathfinder Defined Contribution Plan with employer matching, subject to contribution terms.
OPERS Defined Benefit Plan available for reenrollment to employees enrolled before November 1, 2015.
Paid annual leave, with accrual amounts based on years of service.
Sick leave accrued at 15 days per year.
Paid maternity leave for eligible employees.
Eleven paid holidays annually.
Employee discounts with various vendors and companies.
Longevity payments beginning at two years of service.
Thrive employee well-being program.