Procurement Specialist

City of Bloomington Illinois•Bloomington, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Performs professional-level work associated with formal and informal procurement processes involving a wide variety of purchases including materials, supplies, equipment, construction, and services for the City. Assists in the administration of the City’s procurement system and ensures procurement processes, vendor data, and related documentation are accurate and compliant with applicable federal, state, and City policies, regulations, and laws. Serves as a backup to the Procurement Manager and may perform procurement-related duties in the absence of the Procurement Manager. This position may also provide supplemental support related to budget monitoring, reporting, and other assigned financial or operational processes.

Requirements

Associate’s degree (A.A.) with two to four years’ experience in public procurement and/or business administration.
Experience with Procurement and Vendor modules/management.
Equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.
Knowledge of: Municipal finance, budget and accounting
Ability to: Handle a variety of sensitive employee information and maintain confidentiality.
Manage functions, resolve conflict and work harmoniously with City employees, vendors, and outside contractors.
This position requires continuous contact with employees at all levels of the City and the public, which at times they may have conflicting concerns.
Exercise initiative in the performance of duties and apply independent judgement and technical knowledge.
Use automated procurement software as well as word processing, excel, Internet and e-mail software, and other applications as needed by the department.
Organize and process quantitative data quickly and accurately.
Ability to prepare moderately complex financial reports.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing in a one-on-one or group setting.
Research all required data for the completion of tasks assigned.

Nice To Haves

Certification from the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (N.I.G.P.), Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC), or the National Association of Purchasing Card Professionals (N.A.P.C.P.)

Responsibilities

Prepares and distributes formal solicitations (Bids, RFP’s, RFQ’s, QBS) and manages their ongoing processes.
Responsible for reviewing, writing, and/or editing scope of work and specifications.
Reviews department documentation to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
Verifies budget.
Prepares bid tabulations; statistical data, narratives, and reports; and various other documents by assignment.
Conducts bid lettings, pre-solicitation meetings, site visits and bid openings.
Assists with contract administration including but not limited to, developing, executing, issuing, maintaining and monitoring contractual agreements.
Participates with evaluation teams to evaluate submittals.
Presents ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing, to share acquired information or knowledge; discuss alternatives; and address problem/conflict situations.
Approves limited source justifications and purchases.
Assists Departments with the most appropriate manner to obtain quotes and conduct market research.
Reviews with Departments what the most appropriate procurement vehicle is for the type of purchase being made and review requisitions and invoices to ensure appropriate procurement policies were followed and all necessary documents are attached that comply with procurement policies.
Responsible for Procurement Processes in the City’s ERP.
Reviews, rejects/approves, and converts requisitions.
Enters, processes and prints direct Purchase Orders (POs).
Enters, reviews and approves PO Change Orders.
Closes POs and Contracts.
Creates and maintains bank codes.
Vendor Management.
Reviews and rejects/approves Accounts Payable invoices above $2,999.99.
Troubleshoots and resolves system-related issues in Munis.
Maintains vendor database and assists vendors with the Vendor Self-Service process.
Utilizes and works with the ERP system, including vendor-related documents and advanced technical knowledge of vendor module and Vendor Self Service (VSS) web portal.
Maintains IRS requirements knowledge, ensuring that the City, state, and federal laws are being followed.
Maintains secure and confidential information.
Communicates with Vendors and City staff in order to maintain continuity of customer service.
Troubleshoots, interprets, and resolves errors, and explains business practices and guidelines of vendor management.
Works independently and without specific instruction.
Assists citywide users in vendor inquiry and getting vendors to register.
Communicates best practices for procurement activity and document processes.
Processes vendor creation and vendor documents.
Assists vendors with VSS application, system questions, and registration process.
Responds to inquiries and phone calls from vendors, providing one-on-one communications with vendors, and assistance in web portal and navigation.
Assists the Procurement Manager with presentations and training courses to employee groups regarding purchasing policies, procedures and programs.
Provides one-on-one training as needed.
Provides personal attention and web-based assistance to all departments, vendors, contractors and the general public regarding all aspects of the City’s formal procurement processes.
Assists with reviewing, writing, and/or editing Procurement & Council Memos.
Assists in writing strategic Procurement procedures and/or processes.
Develops and updates Procurement Instructional Documents and Procurement Templates.
Assists in developing a variety of procurement-related documents.
Assists City staff in understanding and adhering to the City’s Procurement Policies and Procedures.
Communicates regularly and effectively with coworkers, other City departments, vendors, City management, contractors, suppliers, salespersons, public officials and the general public to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Maintains complete and organized files for all procurement to provide an accurate record of activity related to Solicitations, Vendors, EFT forms, W-9s, and joint cooperatives.
Responsible for fraud prevention protocols related to EFT and ACI payments.
Creates, reviews and updates Procurement Reports.
Researches and reviews survey or other appropriate data for purchasing administration trends and tools, compiling and updating comparable data from similarly governed public agencies.
Reviews cooperative purchasing agreements for compliance with City and State requirements.
Applies independent judgment to procurement actions in accordance with all applicable policy, regulation and law, to include but not be limited to, revised bid opening dates, clarification to bidders on the bidding process addenda to bidders.
Prioritizes work assignments.
Know when to consult with the Procurement Manager on non-typical, complex procurement situations.
Assists Procurement Manager with Surplus disposal as directed.
Has occasional signature authority for the Procurement Manager.
Assists Human Resources as needed regarding independent contractor and employee determinations.
Fulfills FOIA Requests.
Responsible for fiscal year end Procurement Processes.
Assists with recurring budget monitoring, reporting, and related financial support activities as assigned.
Assists Procurement and Finance management with operational and financial reporting needs.