Procurement Specialist Journey

SMUD•Rancho Cordova, CA

13d•$100,422 - $132,995•Hybrid

About The Position

We’re looking for an experienced Procurement Specialist to join our Procurement team. As a community-owned electric utility, we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable power to our community. In this role, you’ll take the lead in creating solicitation documents and managing competitive bids and contracts from start to finish. You’ll source everything from fleet vehicles and electrical equipment to office supplies and maintenance materials that keep our operations running smoothly. We’re looking for someone who’s strategic and results-focused, with experience delivering measurable value through cost savings, risk mitigation, process improvements, and innovative sourcing strategies in a public-sector or utility environment. If you thrive in collaborating with engineers to translate technical requirements into clear, compliant solicitations while navigating supply-chain challenges such as long lead times and material shortages, we invite you to apply.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration or other related disciplines from an accredited college or university. Relevant procurement experience can be substituted on a year for year basis. If no degree, seven (7+) or more years of relevant experience is required.
Three or more (3+) years of progressively responsible procurement experience including grant writing and management or administration of Federal/State grant programs, or management of contracts with Federal/State agencies.
Public procurement; ERP system for Materials Management Procurement, and/or budget and reporting; SEED program, goals, practices, and sub-contracting opportunities; Federal and State Grant Procurement guidelines and reporting; Federal Procurement Requirements for Grant purchases including Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Buy American and Davis-Bacon; Protest Policy and Public Records Act procedures; life cycle analysis concept and methods; databases and Microsoft SharePoint; the MUD Act and Public Contract Code; advanced Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
Extensive knowledge of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars; contractual agreement terms and conditions typical of Federal and State of California Grants; earned value management for projects utilizing federal grant money.
Performance reporting methodologies and Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s); organizational performance and operational improvement.
Write and assemble logical and effective bid or grant documents; develop a procurement or grant plan to our internal customers; create and route clear and concise Staffing Summary Sheets that accurately documents; gain the cooperation and support of internal clients; plan, organize and prioritize the activities to meet schedule; effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with SMUD management, and Suppliers/Vendors; effectively evaluate and resolve problems and overcome obstacles providing solutions and direction to our internal customers, vendors/sub-recipients, and governmental agents; collaborate across business units; research industry trends and identify procurement and grant needs within business units and provide customized consultative solutions; develop reports; conduct oneself in an open, honest and straightforward manner; persuasively present ideas to gain commitment from others; educate and guide internal customers and external venders on SMUD’s procurement process; gain SEED vendor participation by assessing contracts and compartmentalizing into smaller portions that may be completed by SEED vendors; and establish and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Certifications for CPPB, CPPO, CPM, or PMP are a plus
Knowledge of California Public Contract Code, the MUD Act, public bidding practices, and procurement ethics
Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills with a track record of cost savings and efficiency improvements
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for stakeholder engagement and collaboration
Proficiency with SAP MM, ServiceNow, Planet Bids, Microsoft Office, and data analysis
Commitment to transparency, equity, supplier diversity, sustainability, and supporting utility operations

Responsibilities

Administers the procurement process by serving as a technical expert for the planning, developing solicitation and negotiating of contracts for products and services; conducts needs assessment; develops reports for management; forecasts supplier/contractor and project costs and activities; identifies areas for cost savings and adjustment; ensures procurement risks are clearly identified and provide recommendations and appropriate mechanisms for risk mitigation.
Supports SMUD personnel in identifying material/source availability; develops solicitations and identifies bidders; encourages participation from suppliers/contractors; researches supplier/contractor information; works with project personnel to identify technical acceptability of supplier/contractor submitted bids; evaluates proposals and recommends awards; resolves protests; writes and negotiates terms of agreements.
Resolves moderately complex issues or obstacles within contracts by communicating as a contract expert with suppliers/contractors/Supplier Legal Counsel, and SMUD's Legal and internal department representatives; ensures terms of contracts are met; oversees purchase orders and contracts; researches problems and explores alternatives; researches and identifies new material/source availability to expand SMUD’s competitive bidder’s base; educates suppliers/contractors on SMUD’s procurement policies and regulations; renegotiates contracts; records changes.
Facilitates the administration of contracts and grants by continually evaluating progress and milestones of existing contracts; documents performance; monitors payments; negotiates contract adjustments; monitors compliance issues; responds to stop notices; documents final inspections and acceptances; prepares final notices of completion; releases retention; and closes contract.
Supports the SEED program; selects and develops bid mechanisms that best balance SMUD’s business need with those of small business participation in contracting; identifies sources and specifies regulations to maximize participation; communicates requirements; encourages participation by potential suppliers; evaluates bids for participation; validates certifications; identifies responsiveness by vendors; communicates vendor selections; monitors usage of the programs; and attends SEED outreach events during and after standard work hours.
Ensures compliance to Municipal Utility District Act (MUD Act), California Public Contract Code, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) when appropriate, SMUD Board Policy, SMUD Procurement Policy, management directives, SMUD Policy BL-13, and applicable Grant SDP and DAP’s.
Administers SMUD-wide grant program; serves as a primary point of contact for the identification and communication of opportunities, technical assistance, and the development and submittal of grant proposals; develops and maintains grant administration policies, procedures, guidelines, and tools; completes all reporting and filing requirements (except those provided by Accounting and Project Manager) in compliance with grant contracts; ensures consistency of policy applications and grant requirement fulfillment.
Supports SMUD's asset recovery efforts and ensures compliance to appropriate Board Linkage Policy.
Supports the managing of Inventory/Non-Inventory Strategic Contracts, managing and tracking of spending, initiating of cost adjustments, and resolving of all quality and billing issues.
Provides technical, maintenance and desktop support for SMUD’s Electronic Bid Solicitation System (EBSS) interfacing with external bidders and internal employees regarding registration, access and vendor status; provides assistance to bidders with questions and challenges with system functionality; takes appropriate measures to maintain data integrity; provides reports internally to SMUD management and supervision.
Performs other related duties as needed; schedules, hours and locations may fluctuate based on business needs.