Contracts and Procurement Manager

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is seeking a full-time permanent Contracts and Procurement Manager for its Administrative Services Division in Olympia, Washington. This non-represented position plays a crucial role in overseeing the agency's contracts, procurements, and grants. The Contracts Management Program provides consultation on best practices, training, policy coordination, and agreement reviews. The Manager will develop, prepare, review, and manage agency contracts, procurements, and grants, demonstrating expert knowledge of statewide and department processes. This role requires independent judgment and adherence to all applicable laws, rules, and policies from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Enterprise Services, and federal/other regulatory authorities. The position reports to the Administrative Services Regulatory Services Manager, who reports to the agency Deputy Director.

Requirements

A minimum of five (5) years of experience in negotiating, administering or terminating government contracts, contract cost or price analysis, or contract compliance administration.
Working knowledge of the various authorizing agencies and the procurement statutes and rules associated with them.
Working knowledge of government contracting and procurement techniques, research and market analysis techniques.
Effective methods of oral and written communication.
Technical writing skills.
Contract development and administration.
Ability to plan, organize and supervise the work of others.
Ability to resolve complex problems.
Ability to maintain records, controls and reports.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with suppliers, customers, fellow employees, stakeholders and the public.
Ability to adapt rapidly to changing market conditions and/or customer needs.
Ability to work effectively with automated and web-based procurement systems.
Ability to develop and lead user committees that aid in development of contract specifications or contract dispute resolution.
Ability to prepare and interpret complex specifications and award criteria.
Ability to oversee analysis of bids or proposals submitted by suppliers.
Ability to prepare, maintain and interpret procurement and contract statistics and management reports.
Expert-level proficiency determined by the ability to independently provide consultation with minimal supervision, including prioritizing and handling all issues within assigned area of responsibility.
Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

A Bachelor's degree involving major study in business administration, public administration, or closely allied field.
Five (5) years in state service as a manager or supervisor consulting to agency staff on issues relating to contracting, purchasing and grants.
Developing and executing competitive procurements for goods and services per RCW 43.19, RCW 43.105, and RCW 39.29.
Contract experience to include development of original contract language and concise statements of work.
Reviewing/revising administrative policies relating to purchasing, contracting and grants.
Developing reports and recommending solutions to complex problems for executive level staff.
Ability to accurately, effectively, and timely analyze and interpret data related to asset management, inventory, purchasing, contracts and grants.
Competently develop and conduct training.
Evaluate content of purchasing and contracts for sufficiency.
Solve complex problems.
Work with individuals and groups and make sound decisions within the scope of responsibilities.
Proven experience communicating across a broad spectrum of personnel, management, stakeholders and customers.
Consistently demonstrate the values of integrity, respect, a positive work attitude, and teamwork.
Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) or Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) or equivalent certification is desirable.

Responsibilities

Provide expertise and assistance for new and existing contracts, solicitations, grant and sub-grant agreements, protests, terminations, and Inter-agency Agreements.
Provide extensive analysis in the solicitation and preparation of agency procurements.
Approve and release large-scale competitive procurement documents.
Supervise one Procurement Specialist 2 and ensure agency consistency in contract and purchase handling.
Monitor workload, set priorities, allot resources, and adjust as appropriate.
Resolve issues and answer questions, interview and recommend selection of applicants, train new employees, act on leave requests, conduct annual performance evaluations, and recommend disciplinary actions.
Direct the coordination, negotiation, preparation, and review of new and existing contract, grant, and procurement documents.
Ensure contract language is clear and concise, business outcomes and deliverables are specified, and all required terms and conditions are incorporated.
Develop and maintain a document library with standardized templates and boilerplates for consistency and policy adherence.
Manage the contract files retention schedule and record disposition.
Design, publish, and control self-help tools and forms for procurement and contracting processes.
Develop and oversee the agency's centralized contract files (electronic and hard copy).
Oversee Scan and Toss project for program records retention.
Establish and maintain working relationships and act as agency liaison with OSP, AAG, SAO, PRT, OMWBE, and DES regarding purchasing, grant, and contracting issues.
Act as WSDA representative in DES groups including TAG, PCAG, WACS, ECMS, and WEBS user groups.
Develop agency processes for appropriate procurement methodologies (competitive bids, sole source acquisitions, RFPs/RFBs, direct negotiations).
Identify and facilitate the continued implementation of best practices and continuous process improvement.
Work with agency stakeholders to develop training for personnel involved in contracting, purchasing, and grants management.
Develop training to help contract managers and accounts payable staff better manage and monitor their contracts.
Establish and implement processes supporting effective utilization of procurement and contract staff to improve performance and achieve business goals, including customer service plans, performance measures, and work plans for business changes.