Purchasing & Contract Specialist (Buyer)

State of Illinois•Springfield, MO

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Central Management Services Bureau of Strategic Sourcing (BOSS) is seeking to hire a Buyer/Purchasing & Contract Specialist. This professional level position has the ability to positively affect the daily work conducted by numerous State employees around the State of Illinois by ensuring that necessary contracts that meet the needs of agencies and units of local government are available. The ideal candidate would be detail-oriented, a dynamic leader who will help expand the Bureau's contract catalog in Equipment and Commodities Portfolio.

Requirements

Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, preferably with major courses in public or business administration.
Requires two (2) years of professional experience in centralized procurement.
Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
Requires the ability to use agency technology/equipment (i.e., mobile phone, laptop, etc.) properly in accordance with information security awareness policies and confidentiality guidelines.
Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
Per Executive Order 2018-07, requires engagement with Business Enterprise Program (BEP) contractors and subcontractors and support for the goals of the BEP program and the Fair Contracting Task Force when applicable.
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position.
This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest.
All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09)

Nice To Haves

Prefers two (2) years of professional experience in a Buyer’s role where the acquisition of supplies or services is the primary responsibility in accordance with established policies and procedures for a public or business organization.
Prefers two (2) years of professional experience working with procurement systems including, but not limited to BidBuy, Systems Applications and Products (SAP) Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), Illinois Procurement Gateway, or comparable systems, etc.
Prefers two (2) years of professional experience creating, managing, negotiating, and executing Invitations for Bid (IFB).
Prefers a Certified Professional Procurement Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), or Certified Procurement Professional (CPP) Certification.
Prefers one (1) year of experience working with a Business Enterprise Program (BEP).
Prefers a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Responsibilities

Administering the initial development of solicitation specifications and evaluation of purchases in the Equipment and Commodities portfolio.
Executing procedures necessary to process solicitations in the current eProcurement system.
Preparing correspondence, management reports, memoranda, and various documents regarding the status of requisitions, purchase orders, and complaints.
Surveying agency users regarding master contracts and evaluating vendor performance.
Responding to a variety of inquiries or requests from vendors and agencies that are received via telephone, written correspondence, in person, the Internet or Intranet which are related to areas of responsibility.
Performing other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Benefits

Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position).
10 -25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment).
12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year.
3 paid personal business days per year.
13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years.
12 weeks of paid parental leave.
Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System.
Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan.
Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP).
Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.