Director of Procurement

Orleans Parish Sheriff'•New Orleans, LA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO), New Orleans, Louisiana, provides care, custody, control, and rehabilitation of inmates and is committed to providing the highest level of service and security to court systems, executing court mandates, and protecting individual rights and freedoms. This mission is achieved through innovative leadership, effective programs, and the dedication of OPSO employees. The Director of Procurement and Strategic Sourcing will provide executive leadership and oversight of the agency’s procurement, purchasing, strategic sourcing, contracting, inventory control, and surplus property functions. The Director is responsible for developing and implementing procurement strategies that support the agency’s operational and strategic objectives while ensuring the highest standards of integrity, transparency, fiscal responsibility, competition, and legal compliance. The position oversees the acquisition of goods and services, including professional services, construction, information technology, medical and food services, fleet and equipment, facility maintenance, security systems, public safety resources, and other operational needs. The Director serves as the agency’s principal procurement advisor and works collaboratively with executive leadership, Finance, Legal, department heads, project managers, vendors, and governmental partners to ensure efficient, compliant, and cost-effective procurement practices.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Procurement, Accounting, Law, Engineering, Logistics, or a closely related field.
Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible purchasing, procurement, strategic sourcing, or contract administration experience.
Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory or management experience.
Demonstrated experience managing complex competitive procurements and contracts.
Comprehensive knowledge of public-sector procurement principles and practices.
Comprehensive knowledge of Louisiana procurement requirements and public bid laws.
Comprehensive knowledge of competitive solicitation methods.
Comprehensive knowledge of contract development and administration.
Comprehensive knowledge of strategic sourcing and supplier management.
Comprehensive knowledge of professional services and construction procurement.
Comprehensive knowledge of cooperative purchasing and governmental contracts.
Comprehensive knowledge of grant-funded procurement and federal requirements.
Comprehensive knowledge of public finance and governmental auditing.
Comprehensive knowledge of procurement ethics and internal controls.
Comprehensive knowledge of inventory and asset management.
Comprehensive knowledge of vendor performance and contract compliance.
Comprehensive knowledge of public records and documentation requirements.
Exceptional leadership and organizational management skills.
Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to interpret statutes, regulations, contracts, policies, and technical procurement documents.
Strong financial, budgeting, and cost-analysis capabilities.
Ability to manage complex, high-dollar, and time-sensitive procurements.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Ability to lead cross-functional teams and work effectively with executive leadership.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
Strong judgment and decision-making abilities.
High level of integrity, confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical judgment.
Ability to establish effective relationships with vendors, contractors, government agencies, and internal stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree is preferred.
Government or public-sector procurement experience is strongly preferred.
Experience in corrections, public safety, healthcare, higher education, municipal government, state government, or another large public agency is highly desirable.
Experience managing high-dollar procurements, including procurements exceeding $1 million, is preferred.
One or more of the following certifications is preferred: Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), NIGP Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP), Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM), Louisiana public procurement certification or equivalent professional credential.
Knowledge of procurement operations within a correctional or public safety environment is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Direct and oversee all purchasing and procurement activities for OPSO.
Develop and implement long-range procurement and strategic sourcing strategies aligned with agency priorities.
Establish, maintain, and continuously improve procurement policies, procedures, approval authorities, and internal controls.
Promote fairness, transparency, competition, fiscal accountability, and best value throughout the procurement process.
Lead procurement modernization initiatives, including technology, automation, electronic procurement, and process improvements.
Serve as the agency’s subject-matter expert and principal advisor on procurement matters.
Plan, manage, evaluate, negotiate, and administer competitive and non-competitive procurements, including Invitations for Bid (IFBs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), Requests for Information (RFIs), competitive negotiations, sole-source and emergency procurements, cooperative purchasing agreements, state and governmental contracts, piggyback purchasing, and reverse auctions, where appropriate.
Develop clear, legally sufficient, and operationally appropriate specifications that promote competition and support agency requirements.
Coordinate evaluation committees while maintaining procurement integrity, confidentiality, and compliance with established procedures.
Prepare procurement recommendations and award documentation for appropriate executive approval.
Oversee the full lifecycle of agency contracts, including professional services, construction, technology, medical services, food services, security systems, facility maintenance, fleet, capital improvements, consulting services, commodities, equipment leasing, cooperative agreements, and grant-funded procurements.
Monitor vendor and contractor performance.
Ensure compliance with contract terms, specifications, and service requirements.
Manage contract renewals, amendments, extensions, and close-outs.
Identify and address performance issues, contractual risks, and compliance concerns.
Maintain accurate and complete procurement and contract records.
Ensure procurement activities comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, funding requirements, and agency policies, including applicable Louisiana Public Bid Law, Louisiana Procurement Code, Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics, Louisiana Public Records Law, Louisiana Open Meetings Law, Federal Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), applicable state and local purchasing requirements, state and cooperative purchasing contracts, grant procurement requirements, and other applicable regulatory and accreditation standards.
Coordinate with Legal Counsel regarding procurement protests, disputes, contract interpretation, and compliance matters.
Identify procurement risks and implement appropriate controls to protect agency resources.
Support internal and external audits and ensure procurement documentation is complete, accurate, and audit-ready.
Develop and implement sourcing strategies designed to increase competition and vendor participation, improve procurement cycle times and operational efficiency, leverage agency purchasing power, reduce costs and total cost of ownership, standardize purchasing practices, improve contract utilization and vendor performance, identify cooperative and regional purchasing opportunities, and promote responsible and effective vendor relationships.
Collaborate with Finance and agency leadership to develop annual procurement plans, monitor purchasing activity, and support responsible fiscal management.
Provide oversight and direction for inventory control, asset accountability, surplus property, and disposal processes to ensure accurate records, minimize waste, and maximize the useful life and value of agency assets.
Develop and maintain comprehensive procurement policies and procedures.
Establish purchasing authority, approval thresholds, and delegation requirements.
Develop standards for emergency purchasing, contract administration, vendor relations, ethics, records retention, inventory management, and surplus property.
Establish procurement performance measures and regularly report results to executive leadership.
Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and operational efficiencies.
Provide procurement guidance, training, and support to agency departments and employees.
Lead, supervise, develop, and evaluate procurement and purchasing personnel.
Establish performance expectations and accountability standards.
Build a high-performing, customer-focused procurement function.
Foster collaboration among Procurement, Finance, Legal, Operations, and agency leadership.
Promote ethical conduct, professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.