Director of Procurement and Contracting

Frederick County (MD)•Frederick, MD

50d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Procurement & Contracting serves as Frederick County's Chief Procurement Officer and holds formal authority under Chapter 1-2, Article II of the Frederick County Code to oversee all purchasing, contracting, and surplus disposition activities. This professional position leads strategic sourcing, vendor engagement, contract negotiation, and regulatory compliance across all County divisions, agencies and affiliated entities. The Director is responsible for promoting transparency, efficiency, and fairness in procurement practices while driving initiatives that support innovation, sustainability, and inclusion, including the future implementation and oversight of the County's Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) program. Supervision is given to staff; supervision is received from the Chief Financial Officer. This position is appointed and serves at the pleasure of the County Executive.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or related field
Minimum 9 years progressively responsible work experience in centralized procurement that must include the following (experience items may be concurrent):
Minimum 2 years supervisory work experience
Minimum 2 years budget preparation and fiscal work experience
Current certification as Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), or Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
Intermediate skills in Microsoft 365
Extensive knowledge of legal requirements governing procurement, as well as procurement principles, policies, laws, methods and procedures
Extensive knowledge of and experience in management and best practices of procurement and contracting
Extensive knowledge of management practices and procedures, including those related to planning, budgeting, personnel, purchasing and acquisitions, contracts and capital improvement expenditures, and general administration
Extensive knowledge of automated procurement systems and web-based applications
Working knowledge of accounting practices as applied to procurement activities
Ability to accurately compile and prepare statistical data and reports
Ability to manage complex projects and cross-functional teams
Ability to effectively access and utilize Microsoft 365, e-mail, spreadsheet and other systems and equipment, and to learn new software as it is required
Ability to effectively organize work, determine priorities, including the ability to make decisions and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
Discretion and good judgment in dealing with sensitive and personal information with ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality
Ability to effectively supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff
Ability to work collaboratively as a leader, bringing multiple players into the conversation and achieving consensus
Ability to effectively implement, monitor and comply with Federal and State procurement regulations governing grant programs
Ability to effectively organize and manage office functions including budget and grant procurement preparation and management, personnel selection, training and evaluation, preparation and maintenance of statistical data and reports, etc.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials and other directors, co-workers, representatives of cooperating agencies and the general public
Strong and effective written and verbal (English) communication skills, including the ability to effectively and clearly prepare and present complicated information to officials, peer groups and citizen groups and the ability to clearly explain policies and procedures

Nice To Haves

Additional current professional certification as Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM), or Certified in Supply Management (CSM)
Local or municipal government procurement work experience
Experience administering public sector diversity programs such as Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) or Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE), ensuring regulatory compliance and equitable contracting practices
Experience applying artificial intelligence (AI), advanced data analytics, and/or digital solutions to improve procurement processes, optimize procurement workflows, and enhance decision-making
Work experience using Infor Financial Systems
Work experience using OpenGov Systems

Responsibilities

Serve as a signatory for County procurement contracts and ensure all activities comply with Chapter 1-2, Article II of the Frederick County Code, as well as applicable state and federal regulations
Develop, update, and enforce procurement rules, policies, and procedures; lead strategic initiatives such as cooperative purchasing, piggybacking, and intergovernmental efforts
Manage daily operations of the Office of Procurement & Contracting (Office), including oversight of solicitations (RFPs, IFBs, RFQs), contract awards, vendor negotiations, and specialized programs such as the Procurement Card (P-Card), Surplus Property Disposition, Grant Awardee Review, Gift Donation Recording, Travel Program, and construction procurement for Frederick Community College
Direct the future implementation and oversight of the Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) Program; promote equitable vendor access and supplier diversity
Evaluate bidder and offeror responsibility based on financial capacity, past performance, legal compliance, and ability to meet contract requirements
Lead the adoption and optimization of automated procurement systems and web-based tools; integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to improve workflows, decision-making, and vendor engagement
Ensure compliance with procurement laws, ethics, and internal controls; manage emergency procurements, contract disputes, protests, and contract closeout procedures; cancel solicitations or reject bids when determined to be in the County's best interest
Advise County departments on solicitation strategies and contract administration; conduct outreach to vendors and community stakeholders; present procurement matters to County leadership and elected officials
Travel regionally to collaborate on best practices and participate in professional trainings, conferences, and events
Oversee staff hiring, supervision, evaluation, and professional development; assess staffing needs and support ongoing training
Guide the development and monitoring of the Office's operating and capital budgets; present budget proposals to the County Executive and County Council
Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the Office; collaborate with the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer to implement equitable practices and monitor progress
Stay current on procurement best practices, market trends, and regulatory changes through active participation in workshops, conferences, and training programs
Represent the County on the Maryland Chief Purchasing Officers Committee
Perform other related duties

Benefits

11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Vesting after 5 years of service
Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan.