Purchasing Division Manager

Las Vegas Valley Water District•San Jose, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The ideal candidate is a highly experienced and service‑oriented procurement professional with a strong understanding of public sector purchasing laws, regulations, and ethical standards. This individual is skilled in managing the full procurement lifecycle while ensuring transparency, fiscal stewardship, and compliance with applicable statutes, policies, and audit requirements. The candidate must also have the ability to manage end-to-end procurement activities to enable the organization to achieve cost savings, supplier performance, and operational efficiency. The successful Purchasing Manager demonstrates exceptional negotiation skills and builds productive, long-term relationships with internal stakeholders and vendors. They are experienced in complex contract management and compliance with organizational policies and Nevada Revised Statutes regulatory requirements. A strong leader and collaborator, the ideal candidate effectively guides purchasing staff, prioritizes competing demands, and adapts quickly to changing business needs. This role requires a proactive professional who leverages data and continuous improvement principles to support organizational goals.

Requirements

Graduation from a recognized four-year college or university with a major in public or business administration, finance, operations management or a closely related field.
At least seven years of progressively responsible purchasing and contracting experience in a large complex organization, preferably in a governmental agency or public utility.
At least three years of which were at a supervisory or management level.
A valid Nevada driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District's Vehicle Insurance Policy.
Ability to plan, organize, manage, integrate and evaluate the work of staff engaged in purchasing and contracting for a wide array of materials, goods and services required for District/SNWA operations.
Ability to operate a computer and spreadsheet, word processing and other business software.
Ability to understand, interpret, explain and apply District, federal and state policies and laws applicable to areas of responsibility.

Nice To Haves

Strong understanding of public sector purchasing laws, regulations, and ethical standards.
Skilled in managing the full procurement lifecycle while ensuring transparency, fiscal stewardship, and compliance with applicable statutes, policies, and audit requirements.
Ability to manage end-to-end procurement activities to enable the organization to achieve cost savings, supplier performance, and operational efficiency.
Exceptional negotiation skills.
Build productive, long-term relationships with internal stakeholders and vendors.
Experienced in complex contract management and compliance with organizational policies and Nevada Revised Statutes regulatory requirements.
Strong leader and collaborator.
Effectively guides purchasing staff, prioritizes competing demands, and adapts quickly to changing business needs.
Proactive professional who leverages data and continuous improvement principles to support organizational goals.
Knowledge of principles, best practices, methods and techniques of public agency purchasing and contracting, including supply chain concepts and management challenges.
Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques of competitive solicitation and contract administration.
Knowledge of Nevada Revised Statutes 332 and 338 and other state and federal law and regulations governing areas of responsibility.
Knowledge of methods, tools and practices in conducting purchasing trend analysis, forecasting and related analyses.
Knowledge of sources and types of typical equipment, tools, materials and supplies required in the operations of a large water utility.
Knowledge of principles and practices of strategic planning.
Knowledge of principles and practices of project management.
Knowledge of principles and practices of sound business communication.
Knowledge of District, SNWA and LVSP functions and associated purchasing and contracting issues.
Knowledge of uses and operations of enterprise purchasing and inventory management systems.
Knowledge of principles and practices of customer service applicable of areas of responsibility.
Knowledge of principles and practices of effective management and supervision.
Knowledge of District human resources policies and labor contract provisions.

Responsibilities

Plans, organizes, manages and evaluates work of a division responsible for centralized purchasing and contracting for all goods and services for the District, Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), Springs Preserve (LVSP), Big Bend Water District (BBWD) and other small systems.
Ensures all activities are in compliance with all District/SNWA policy and legal requirements of the Nevada Revised Statutes and other laws and regulations.
Provides expert advice to District/SNWA management on strategic purchasing solutions for major projects.
Develop and implement sound, cost effective and efficient purchasing and contracting standards, processes and procedures.
Analyze complex purchasing issues, evaluate alternatives and develop sound, fact-based courses of action.
Prepare clear, concise and comprehensive analyses, reports and presentation materials.
Negotiate effectively on behalf of the District and SNWA.
Exercise sound expert judgment within policy guidelines.
Use tact, diplomacy and acumen in dealing with highly sensitive and confidential issues.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, staff, manufacturers, suppliers, vendors and others encountered in the course of work.