Procurement Professional III

California State University•Carson, CA

2d•$5,877 - $8,561•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Procurement Manager, the Procurement and Contracts Specialist III independently performs complex and varied procurement and contracting activities for the University. The position manages procurements from initial request through award and execution, including purchase orders, service and consultant agreements, student-placement and affiliation agreements, and formal and informal competitive solicitations. The incumbent advises campus departments on procurement requirements; develops and reviews scopes of work and specifications; prepares, reviews, and negotiates agreements; evaluates insurance and compliance documentation; and ensures procurements comply with applicable laws, CSU policies, and University procedures. The position exercises sound judgment and independent problem-solving in resolving complex procurement and contracting matters and provides guidance to campus departments, vendors, and other stakeholders.

Requirements

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field and four years of procurement experience.
Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
Advanced knowledge of current statutes, regulations, policies, procedures, practices, and methods of procurement, through a variety of procurement delivery methods and contract administration.
Thorough knowledge and understanding of computations and statistics used in analytics and/or cost and price analysis.
Working knowledge of contract law.
Advanced knowledge of total cost of ownership accounting and analysis.
General knowledge of corporate financial statements and assessing financial responsibility.
Demonstrated competence in applying advanced judgment to resolve difficult and complex problems and issues.
Ability to effectively read, interpret, explain, and properly apply rules, regulations, laws, policies, and procedures.
Skill in researching and preparing complex specifications and scopes of work for solicitations and contract documents, based on input from the requestor.
Demonstrates the ability to problem-solve and applies sound judgment in contract and procurement methods.
Skilled in negotiating contracts.

Nice To Haves

Five or more years of progressively responsible procurement and contracting experience in higher education, government, or another public or large organizational setting.
Experience independently preparing and administering formal competitive solicitations, including Requests for Proposals and Invitations for Bid.
Experience preparing, reviewing, negotiating, and administering purchase orders and agreements for professional services, consulting services, information technology, software, construction or public works, and other specialized goods and services.
Experience with student-placement, internship, clinical, fieldwork, practicum, or affiliation agreements.
Knowledge of California public contracting requirements and CSU procurement and contracting policies and procedures.
Experience using PeopleSoft Financials, CSUBUY, contract-management systems, electronic-signature platforms, and Microsoft 365 applications.

Responsibilities

Independently process complex and routine procurement requests for goods and services from initial request through issuance of the purchase order.
Review requisitions, scopes of work, specifications, quotes, funding documentation, and supporting materials for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.
Determine the appropriate procurement method and documentation based on the nature, value, funding source, and circumstances of the purchase.
Prepare and issue purchase orders, change orders, and other procurement documents using the University’s financial and procurement systems.
Resolve discrepancies and performance issues involving campus departments, vendors, Receiving, Accounts Payable, and other stakeholders.
Independently prepare, review, negotiate, and administer a variety of agreements, including service, consultant, facility-use, software, equipment, memorandum of understanding, and other University agreements.
Review business terms, scope, deliverables, payment provisions, insurance, indemnification, data security, accessibility, and other contractual requirements.
Coordinate agreement review with campus departments, Risk Management, Information Technology, legal counsel, and other subject-matter experts, as appropriate.
Communicate and negotiate with vendors and other contracting parties to resolve exceptions and obtain mutually acceptable terms.
Coordinate pre-bid conferences, job walks, vendor questions, addenda, proposal evaluations, and other solicitation activities.
Review bids and proposals for responsiveness and responsibility and document the evaluation, selection, award, and protest processes.
Analyze bid and proposal results to identify pricing variances, cost drivers, exceptions, supplier risks, and opportunities for negotiation or improved value.
Prepare, review, negotiate, and coordinate student-placement, internship, clinical, fieldwork, practicum, affiliation, and related educational agreements.
Work with academic departments and external placement sites to define responsibilities for supervision, student eligibility, insurance, confidentiality, health and safety, and compliance.
Evaluate insurance requirements, including applicability of CSU student professional liability and other relevant coverage, and coordinate review with Risk Management when necessary.