STATE PROCUREMENT COORDINATOR

State of Arkansas•Little Rock, AR

1d•$71,027 - $105,120

About The Position

The State Procurement Coordinator serves as the Team Lead for (currently) four procurement specialists who are responsible for conducting complex procurements for State departments and for managing statewide contracts. Under the direction of management, the State Procurement Coordinator provides strategic direction, oversight, and quality assurance, ensuring procurements are executed in compliance with procurement law, aligned with statewide priorities, and completed with a high level of professionalism, consistency, and accountability. This person functions as a supervisor and mentor for his or her team, establishing expectations, providing ongoing guidance for challenging or high-risk procurements, and ensuring the team applies sound judgment, market research, and best practices to all of their projects. Job SummaryThe State Procurement Coordinator is responsible for coordinating and managing the procurement activities for the State of Arkansas. This role involves supporting the procurement processes for goods and services across various state agencies, ensuring that all procurement activities are compliant with state laws, regulations, and policies. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, with a keen attention to detail and a customer-service-oriented approach to both internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

Understanding of basic procurement principles and practices, including competitive bidding, vendor evaluation, and contract administration.
Familiarity with procurement laws and regulations at the state and federal level, including knowledge of the Arkansas procurement code.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner.
Ability to analyze procurement data and performance metrics to identify trends and support decision-making.
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, supply chain management or a related field, plus two (2) years of experience in procurement, contract management, or a related field is required.

Nice To Haves

working knowledge of Arkansas procurement law, rules, and policies.
Management experience
excellent reading comprehension
technical writing
leadership
communication
critical thinking
project management
sound judgment

Responsibilities

Assist in the preparation, review, and execution of procurement documents, including Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Invitations for Bids (IFBs), and contracts for goods and services.
Coordinate the procurement process from initial solicitation to contract award, ensuring all steps comply with state procurement regulations and policies.
Mentor a team of state procurement specialists.
Collaborate with various state agencies to gather procurement needs, specifications, and objectives.
Support the development of procurement strategies that promote cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
Assist in maintaining vendor relationships and help manage vendor inquiries related to procurement opportunities and processes.
Support vendor communications, ensuring that responses to vendors are accurate, clear, and timely.
Help maintain an updated vendor database, ensuring vendor information is accessible and accurate.
Help ensure that contracts are executed and managed in accordance with established terms, timelines, and conditions.
Ensure that procurement processes comply with all applicable state, federal, and local procurement laws, regulations, and policies.
Assist in preparing documentation for audits and regulatory reviews, ensuring transparency and accountability in all procurement activities.
Collect, input, and analyze procurement data to generate reports on procurement performance, vendor performance, and cost savings.
Assist in tracking procurement spending, ensuring that procurement activities align with state budgets and financial guidelines.
Provide regular reports on procurement activities to department leadership and other stakeholders.