Procurement Agent III

Forsyth County•Cumming, GA

About The Position

This classification is responsible for independently managing and coordinating complex, high-value, and specialized procurement activities for County departments. Responsibilities include procurement planning, competitive solicitations, professional services selections, construction procurement, contract negotiation and administration, market and cost analysis, vendor management, and regulatory compliance. This position serves as a senior procurement resource to County departments and less experienced Procurement staff, providing guidance regarding procurement strategy, applicable laws and policies, solicitation methods, contract requirements, and best procurement practices. Work is performed with considerable independence and requires sound judgment in developing procurement strategies, resolving complex procurement and contractual issues, facilitating evaluations and negotiations, and ensuring procurements are conducted fairly, competitively, transparently, and in the best interest of the County.

Requirements

Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with course work emphasis in Purchasing, Procurement, Business Administration, or a related field
Five (5) years previous experience and/or training that includes contract administration, purchasing, procurement, and personal computer operations
Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Nice To Haves

Professional procurement certification such as NIGP-CPP, CPPB, CPPO, or equivalent certification is preferred.
Experience conducting complex competitive solicitations, professional services selections, construction procurements, contract negotiations, and contract administration in a governmental environment is also preferred.

Responsibilities

Independently manages complex and high value procurement projects from acquisition planning through solicitation, evaluation, negotiation, award, contract execution, administration, and close out.
Advises County departments on procurement strategy, solicitation methods, evaluation methodology, contract structure, competition requirements, procurement timelines, and applicable purchasing requirements.
Develops and administers competitive solicitations for goods, services, professional services, construction, and technology acquisitions, including Invitations for Bid, Requests for Proposal, Requests for Qualifications, and other competitive procurement methods.
Manages procurements utilizing traditional and alternative project delivery methods, including Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), and other authorized delivery methods; coordinates multi-phase selection processes, qualifications-based and best-value evaluations, negotiations, and related contracting requirements.
Develops solicitation documents in coordination with user departments; reviews scopes of work and specifications; establishes procurement requirements; prepares advertisements, addenda, bid schedules, evaluation criteria, and other procurement documentation; and coordinates pre-bid and pre-proposal conferences and public openings.
Manages proposal and qualification evaluation processes; facilitates evaluation committees and consensus meetings; provides guidance regarding evaluation procedures, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and procurement integrity; evaluates responsiveness and responsibility; documents results; and prepares award recommendations.
Leads or participates in complex negotiations involving pricing, professional services fees, scope, guaranteed maximum prices, preconstruction services, contract terms, risk allocation, and other commercial considerations.
Interprets and applies applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and contractual requirements; identifies compliance concerns and coordinates corrective action with departments, Legal, Risk Management, Finance, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
Manages the procurement award and contract execution process, including preparation of bid tabulations, award recommendations, agenda documentation, contracts, and supporting materials for administrative or Board of Commissioners approval.
Administers contracts throughout the contract lifecycle, including renewals, amendments, change orders, task orders, pricing adjustments, extensions, expirations, and closeout; monitors contractual requirements and coordinates resolution of contractor or vendor performance issues.
Reviews procurement and contract documentation for compliance with insurance, bonding, licensing, E-Verify, funding, and other applicable contractual or regulatory requirements.
Supports construction and professional services contracting; coordinates with project managers regarding procurement requirements, contractor performance, contract compliance, change orders, payment documentation, and other contractual matters.
Develops and administers annual and multi-year agreements; evaluates usage, pricing, market conditions, department requirements, and contractor performance to determine whether agreements should be renewed, re-solicited, modified, or discontinued.
Conducts market research, cost and price analysis, benchmarking, historical usage analysis, and industry research to develop sourcing strategies, evaluate price reasonableness, identify potential suppliers, and support procurement recommendations.
Reviews complex requisitions and purchasing requests; determines appropriate procurement methods; researches sourcing options; evaluates compliance with contracts and purchasing requirements; and processes or coordinates purchase orders and related procurement actions.
Serves as a primary liaison among Procurement, County departments, vendors, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders to coordinate procurement activities, resolve complex issues, and maintain effective business relationships.
Evaluates and documents vendor and contractor performance and assists departments in addressing performance deficiencies, contractual disputes, invoicing discrepancies, and other procurement-related issues.
Develops, maintains, and reviews procurement records, reports, contract files, solicitation documentation, statistical information, and other records necessary to support compliance, transparency, audit readiness, and operational reporting.
Provides input regarding the development and revision of procurement policies, procedures, templates, standards, and business processes; assists with special projects and departmental initiatives as assigned.
Provides technical guidance, mentoring, and procurement support to less experienced Procurement staff; assists in training County departments regarding procurement policies, procedures, systems, solicitation practices, and procurement best practices.
Maintains professional knowledge of procurement laws, regulations, contracting practices, market conditions, and industry developments through continuing education, professional organizations, publications, conferences, and training.
Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, typing documents, making copies, filing documentation, or processing incoming/outgoing mail.
Performs other related duties as required.