Senior Procurement Specialist

Chicago Housing Authority • Chicago, IL

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Procurement Specialist, under the direction of the Procurement Manager, is responsible for providing training and technical assistance to Procurement Specialists. This role will assist the Procurement Manager with departmental work activities and special projects, ensuring that CHA's procurement policies and procedures are communicated and adhered to by staff and vendors. The Senior Procurement Specialist will have the ability to work independently, employ excellent business decisions to solve problems, and implement solutions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years' experience of responsible buying or the equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years procurement experience, or a minimum of five (5) years equivalent work experience in various areas such as construction, professional services, and supply commodities.
• Knowledge and understanding of procurement methods, principles, and terminology.
• Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal skills to work with a diverse staff of managerial and professional employees.
• Proficient in analyzing and evaluating data.
• Strong organization, problem solving, and analytical skills.
• Ability and skills to exercise and use sound business judgment, discretion, maintain confidentiality, and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Skilled in providing customer service.
• Ability to perform and work well under pressure.
• Competent computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• General math aptitude to perform statistical calculations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience within the public procurement sector is a plus.
• Purchasing/contracting/procurement certification (e.g., NIGP, NAPM).

Responsibilities

• Researching, evaluating, and developing Invitations for bids, complex Request for Proposals, and Requests for Qualifications.
• Performing procurement outreach activities communicating Chicago Housing Authority's procurement process.
• Providing Weekly Procurement Reports and ad hoc reports to management.
• Assisting departments to resolve procurement issues and improve communication.
• Educating and training staff on procurement policy and procedures and assisting management in developing policies, procedures, and training material.
• Analyzing market conditions to develop appropriate sources of supply.
• Maintaining cooperative working relationships with vendors to stay abreast of trends, technologies, products, and services.
• Developing and maintaining an effective vendor base to procure various services and products.
• Facilitating evaluation committee meetings and negotiations with CHA user departments and vendors.
• Assisting in the preparation and development of scopes and specifications.
• Determining and implementing the appropriate method of procurement to secure the requested service, commodities, or supplies within an assigned department area.
• Overseeing the soliciting of bids, proposal evaluation, and request for qualifications process in accordance with CHA’s policy and performing bid analysis and making the appropriate procurement recommendation.
• Coordinating and facilitating pre-bid meetings, pre-proposals meetings, and bid openings with user departments.
• Gathering and collecting information on problems to determine areas of deficiencies; resolving disputes between suppliers and departments regarding service, cost, and delivery.
• Preparing appropriate correspondences to suppliers relating to inquiries and procurement issues.
• Maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of assigned contract files and various report documentation for accuracy to ensure information is properly stored on CHA network.
• Performing other duties as assigned by department management.

Benefits

• Vacation, Sick and Personal, competitive PTO package
• Medical (HMO, PPO, and No employee cost High-Deductible PPO)
• Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Parking
• Transit
• Prepaid Legal Services
• Brightstar 529 College Savings Plan
• Identity Theft Protection
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plan: Empower 457/401(a) with a 3% employer match
• Pension Plan: CHA makes contributions on behalf of the employee, along with the employee's 3% contribution; 100% vesting occurs after 6 years of continuous employment or opt-out of CHA's Retirement Plan and continues to participate in the Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior