Program Support Category Manager

PCORI•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Program Support Category Manager (PCM) is a position in the Procurement Services Unit under the Finance and Administration Division. The employee reports to the Associate Director, Procurement Program Support and will work with PCORI’s Patient-Centered Research Programs (PCRP) department and program teams to develop and execute multi-faceted and complex agreements. Research support includes, but not limited to evaluation and analysis, public policy, research synthesis, innovation, infrastructure, stakeholder engagement and dissemination. The PCM will provide oversight over the development of pre/post-award functions of assigned procurements which include, but are not limited to, conducting market research, drafting statements of work and deliverables, preparing RFPs, devising evaluation methodology and weighting, conducting sourcing events, organizing and leading technical evaluation panels, planning procurement strategy, developing payment schedules, and performing other cradle to grave procurement activities. The PCM will support the Associate Director, Procurement Program Support in developing, advising, and driving procurement strategy to ensure continuous alignment with PCORI’s strategies, goals, and business objectives. In addition to the duties of a PCM, the position requires challenging demands on time, performance, attention to detail, problem solving capacity and the personal management of internal clients and procurement resources. The employee uses superior analytical skills and demonstrates thorough operational knowledge and experience, including working with demanding business owners while accomplishing assignments with minimal oversight or guidance. A successful candidate is results oriented, has good business judgment, is decisive, has strong negotiation skills, and can effectively plan and execute associated contracting activities while providing advice independently to their departmental clients. The PCM develops and enhances relationships with PCORI vendors and other internal stakeholders/partners. The position requires expertise in contracting laws, principles, and practices to apply procurement concepts to plan and manage highly specialized and routine procurements within the industries delegated to the program support portfolio.

Requirements

A minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience related to research support contracting and procurement, particularly with nonprofits and/or universities in a fast-paced environment.
5+ years of Request for Proposal/competitive procurement/proposal evaluation experience, and contract closeout-related services and activities.
5+ years of experience in coaching and training internal clients paired with a strong understanding of procurement best practices and knowledge of contract law.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college and/or university.
Proficient understanding of the concepts, principles, and practices of the field of procurement to determine and establish procurement strategy and to develop and manage the negotiation, execution, and management of agreements.
Strong written and oral communication skills, including demonstrated ability to articulate and propose alternative methods for procuring complex requirements based on the internal client’s needs.
Self-directed with a strong sense of situational awareness and ability to complete assignments on-time and within established procurement action lead times (PALTs); proactive and able to take initiative and follow up with customers as-needed to complete assignments.
Proficient understanding of negotiation techniques to serve as the lead negotiator in developing pre-negotiation strategy in conducting negotiations for the procurement and in directing or performing post-award negotiations involving contract amendment/modifications.
Proficient understanding of the procurement planning function sufficient to develop procurement & contractual strategies for simple, moderate & complex procurements to assure attainment of business goals.
Proficient understanding of contracting methods and contract types, including cost and incentive contracting, award fee, multiple awards, special provisions relating to proprietary rights and rights in data to manage and coordinate activities sufficient to control a variety of contractual actions of a major department/office occurring concurrently, in an overlapping fashion, or sequentially and to control several simultaneous interrelated contracts with different contractors.
Robust interpersonal skills and comfort communicating at all levels of an organization; brings the ability to work collaboratively with different business groups and departments.
Strong ability to translate and facilitate program/research support requirements into viable procurement actions
Experienced in contracting for research support professional services (evaluation, policy analysis, engagement, research synthesis, learning networks).
Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, organizational, and analytical skills.
Intellectual curiosity and a professional commitment to excellence.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree, relevant certifications or professional designations, and general knowledge of contracting law preferred.

Responsibilities

Serves as primary subject matter advisor and strategic contracting partner for the program portfolio, providing expertise and collaborating with business clients on their requirements, resulting in agreements (“contracts”) in support of healthcare/life sciences, research, evaluation and policy-related support. Provides expert guidance and consultation in procurement planning, acquisition approaches, methodologies, and strategy to successfully achieve contractual objectives.
Proactively conducts procurement planning to determine the need for a contract, contract modification/amendment, renewals or termination; recommends procurement strategies for consideration; leads in the development of robust statements of work and deliverables; and takes a leading role in contractor identification and selection.
Executes the full procurement life cycle process to include: pre- and post-award activities; deployment of appropriate strategies, considering the size, risk, and complexity of the procurement; and recommendations to internal customers on procurement best practices.
Follows established procurement policies, programs, and procedures that enhance operational efficiency from initial request through invoice payment and contract close-out.
Reviews procurement requests to determine that proper specifications or descriptions are included in RFP documentation.
Evaluates offerors’ cost/price proposals, conducts price/cost analysis to determine price reasonableness, and prepares recommendations for award.
Negotiates contracts, including coordinating with technical experts and interested PCORI business units (e.g., Office of General Counsel, DIGITAL), to develop the contract price and terms.
Performs and completes contract closeouts involving simple and complex contracts (supporting firm fixed price, cost reimbursable, time and material payment mechanisms). Works independently to analyze, collect, and prepare all documentation; reconcile data; and perform all other required activities. Works with the Project Leader and Contractor to resolve and settle all matters including, but not limited to, costs, deliverables, and payments.
Collaborates with leadership & management officials including other subject matter experts to develop category strategies; critical areas of expertise include the supply markets, major vendors, and industry trends that may impact the purchasing for the category. Provides collaborative category management plans to senior management illustrating visibility on risks, analyzing market dynamics, key operational achievements, important suppliers and measurable deliverables on productivity, efficiency & effectiveness.
Develops and implements the sourcing strategy for the designated categories in line with the overall sourcing strategy to constantly increase productivity, identify cost savings opportunities and optimize PCORI’s spending. Creates and improves specialization and efficiencies within Procurement Services generating buying power and identifying reduction in costs.
Assists and coordinates with the clients to proactively conducts procurement planning to determine the need for a contract, contract modification/amendment, or termination; recommends procurement strategies for consideration; Interprets, advises and assists business partners, clients and junior team members in application of the Procurement Policy to satisfy contractual needs of the assigned portfolio.
Assists clients in interpreting and prioritizing their requirements to define and develop robust statements of work and deliverables; and supports clients by taking a leading role in contractor identification, selection and negotiation.