Procurement Specialist Senior
About The Position
The Department of Economic Security (DES) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Senior Procurement Specialist. In this position, you will engage in complex work, exercising considerable independence and discretionary judgment to establish effective, efficient, economical, and legal contract management and acquisitions for DES. The Senior Procurement Specialist serves as procurement project management lead for assigned procurement projects; exercises procurement authority as delegated, which may include preparation of sole source, competition impracticable, and emergency recommendations and exempt procurement; and provides training and mentoring to colleagues engaged in procurement activities. This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures. 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 in: Arizona Procurement Code, State acquisition lifecycle, and public contract management for complex commodities and services.
- Knowledge in: Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), Federal antitrust laws, and related business law principles.
- Knowledge in: Enterprise contract management software and eProcurement systems (Arizona Procurement Portal / APP).
- Knowledge in: Professional procurement ethics, confidentiality, and public disclosure requirements.
- Skills in: Project management, dispute mediation, facilitation, and commercial contract negotiations.
- Skills in: Market research, pricing value analysis, and critical problem-solving.
- Skills in: Verbal, written, and interpersonal communication, including customer service and vendor relations.
- Skills in: Standard office technology and software suites (Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Acrobat).
- Ability to: Perform statistical and abstract analysis to evaluate bids and complex procurement requests.
- Ability to: Plan, organize, and prioritize high-volume procurement assignments effectively under tight deadlines.
- Ability to: Formulate clear reports, contract documents, policies, and standard operating procedures.
- Ability to: Establish positive working relationships across agency divisions while maintaining strict objectivity and confidentiality.
- Requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business.
- Successfully pass background and reference check.
- Successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
Nice To Haves
- Minimum two years of experience equivalent to a Procurement Specialist.
- A bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, finance, or a related field from an accredited college or university is preferred.
- Professional certification such as a CPPO, CPPB, or CPM from a professional purchasing organization is preferred.
- Other combinations of experience and education may be substituted.
Responsibilities
- Prepares, issues, and administers complex formal solicitations in accordance with the Arizona Procurement Code, facilitating public openings, vendor conferences, and evaluation committees through contract award.
- Evaluates sole-source, competition-impracticable, and emergency procurement requests, ensuring statutory compliance and proper documentation.
- Executes purchase orders, task orders, and contract amendments, providing full contract administration for high-complexity commodities and technical services.
- Analyzes market data and pricing trends to negotiate financial terms, delivery schedules, and programmatic requirements with vendors.
- Researches contract disputes, vendor performance issues, and bid protests, drafting formal determinations and resolution reports for Chief Procurement Officer signature.
- Utilizes the State's eProcurement system to manage contracts and workflow data, while serving as a technical resource and mentor to procurement staff.
Benefits
- Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
- Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
- 10 paid holidays per year
- Paid vacation and sick time
- Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
- Deferred compensation plan
- Wellness plans
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Stipend Opportunities
- Infant at Work Program
- Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
- Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
