Procurement Manager Benefits

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

25d • $0 - $95,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA), State Procurement Office (SPO), is seeking a strategic and analytical leader to serve as the Procurement Manager for Benefits. In this critical role, you will oversee the entire life cycle of high-impact state contracts, focusing specifically on employee benefits programs and pharmacy services. Your primary mission is to lead complex, competitive procurements and develop robust category strategies that secure maximum value for the State of Arizona while ensuring rigorous compliance with state procurement regulations. As the Benefits Procurement Officer, you will serve as a subject matter expert in the evolving healthcare and pharmacy benefit landscapes. This position demands a sophisticated understanding of market dynamics, including drug pricing structures, rebate models, biosimilars, and Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) transparency. You will be responsible for drafting intricate contracts, leading high-stakes negotiations, and analyzing industry trends to provide actionable insights to executive leadership. Beyond procurement execution, you will play a vital role in advising on market risks and innovation opportunities, supporting critical decisions regarding formulary management, utilization strategies, and overall benefit design to enhance the services provided to state employees. The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Requirements

• Knowledge of State and federal statutes and rules related to government procurement activities and contract administration.
• Knowledge of best practices to determine appropriate sourcing strategies/methods.
• Knowledge of Lean tools and methods.
• Knowledge of effective negotiation techniques.
• Knowledge of supply chain, logistics, and resource management.
• Knowledge of methods of conducting research.
• Knowledge of effective techniques of relationship management.
• Knowledge of general accounting practices as they relate to contracts and vendors.
• Knowledge of source of supply, local and national markets, and pricing trends.
• Skills in developing and implementing various sourcing strategies based upon business' strategic goals/objectives.
• Skills in interpreting applicable laws, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Skills in conducting data analysis to produce effective and accountable contracts.
• Skills in developing and maintaining customer and supplier relationships.
• Skills in negotiating contractual terms and conditions.
• Skills in developing effective monitoring and reporting tools to ensure terms are adhered to.
• Skills in communicating effectively with a wide range of customers, internal stakeholders at all levels, and suppliers.
• Skills in interpreting business issues and recommending solutions/best practices.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic sourcing strategies.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective customer and supplier relationships.
• Ability to develop and implement various monitoring strategies to ensure accountability.
• Ability to synthesize, summarize, and analyze a variety of data/sources and formulate workable recommendations.
• Ability to work in a dynamic team environment that allows the incumbent to be responsive to changing goals and priorities.
• Background and reference check, including a criminal records verification.
• Driver’s License Requirements (if applicable for driving or vehicle use).
• Must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Healthcare Administration, Pharmacy, or a related field is preferred.
• Ideally possesses 5+ years of experience in procurement, category management, or contract management.
• Experience with public sector or government procurement processes is a plus.
• Preferred experience in drafting solicitations (RFPs/RFQs) and negotiating complex contracts.
• Background in employee benefits, healthcare, or pharmacy contracting (e.g., PBM, health plans) is highly desirable.
• Nice-to-have experience analyzing healthcare cost drivers and pharmacy trends.

Responsibilities

• Partner with internal stakeholders to develop comprehensive sourcing strategies, technical data requirements, and detailed statements of work; synthesize delivery schedules, milestone payments, and specialized terms and conditions into cohesive, competitive proposals.
• Oversee the evaluation of bid proposals and lead active negotiations with suppliers to secure favorable contractual agreements; prepare all necessary award documentation for executive signature in alignment with state requirements.
• Conduct rigorous research and analysis to draft written determinations and justifications that ensure full compliance with the Arizona Procurement Code, state statutes, and agency policies.
• Manage post-award activities, including conducting kickoff meetings, processing contract renewals and extensions, reviewing certificates of insurance, and resolving complex contractual disputes or performance issues.
• Utilize data analytics and expenditure analyses to conduct market assessments and business case developments; make evidence-based recommendations to leadership that optimize ROI while mitigating financial and business risks.
• Apply a variety of Lean tools to guide the strategic sourcing process—from initial RFI/RFP stages through supplier selection and final implementation—to drive efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between the State and vendors for all contractual matters; establish and maintain professional relationships with internal customers to ensure supply contracts directly support agency business strategies.
• Develop and monitor supplier performance measures in collaboration with stakeholders, ensuring vendors are held accountable to performance standards and that formal reviews are conducted according to agreement terms.
• Stay at the forefront of the healthcare and pharmacy benefit sectors by studying industry literature, attending professional development events, and presenting best practices at agency and cooperative organizational meetings.

Benefits

• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance
• Participation in ASRS Lifetime Benefit Pension Plan after 26 weeks of employment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager