State Purchasing Officer/Acting State Purchasing Officer/Procurement Specialist

State of Illinois • Springfield, IL

7d • $71,694 - $123,700 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Chief Procurement Officer for General Services (CPO-GS) is actively seeking a meticulous, detail-oriented, and organized problem-solver to regulate State agency procurements. As the State Purchasing Officer, you will play a crucial role in overseeing procurement processes, ensuring that all activities adhere to legal standards. This is an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact while ensuring compliance and efficiency in government purchasing. The CPO-GS ensures that more than $7 billion in procurements under its jurisdiction are fair, transparent, accountable and in the best interest of the State. The CPO-GS is under the umbrella of the Executive Ethics Commission (EEC), a nine-member commission that promotes transparency, fairness, and integrity by facilitating compliance and enforcement of the State Officials and Employee Ethics Act. The EEC appoints the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO), subject to Senate confirmation, and provides staff and other support in furtherance of the independent procurement role of the CPO. The staff members of the CPO-GS are dedicated public servants focused on providing exceptional service and valuable results to the agencies and people we serve. The State Purchasing Officer (SPO) exercises procurement authority on behalf of the CPO-GS by regulating the procurements conducted by their assigned agency, board, or commission. Appointed by the CPO to a five-year term, the SPO operates independently from the entities they oversee, ensuring compliant, ethical, and legal procurements. The SPO must possess procurement certification within 30 months of appointment. The CPO has adopted a career ladder that allows for consideration to be extended to applicants for Acting State Purchasing Officer or for entry-level procurement specialist based on qualifications and experience. This career ladder will allow qualified applicants an opportunity to join the CPO team while learning procurement processes in preparation for appointment to the role of SPO.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or an equivalent combination of degree or non-degree education and relevant professional experience.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex information and ideas verbally and in writing, and to determine when each method is appropriate so others will understand.
• Ability to identify issues and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Skilled at using logic, reasoning, and critical thinking to identify the strengths and weaknesses of solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Ability to encourage and build mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members and with the agencies we regulate.
• Skilled in management of one's own time.
• Must possess procurement certification within 30 months of appointment.

Nice To Haves

• Three years experience in public administration, preferably with State government or in another regulatory environment.
• Experience in private or public procurement.
• Current certification by Universal Public Procurement Certification Council as a Certified Professional Procurement Buyer or Officer (CPPB or CPPO) or the Institute for Supply Management as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD), or Associate Professional in Supply Management for Students (APSM).
• Experience using an enterprise resource planning (ERP) or electronic procurement system.

Responsibilities

• Oversee procurement processes, ensuring all activities adhere to legal standards.
• Regulate State agency procurements.
• Exercise procurement authority on behalf of the CPO-GS by regulating the procurements conducted by their assigned agency, board, or commission.
• Operate independently from the entities they oversee, ensuring compliant, ethical, and legal procurements.

Benefits

• Eligible for membership in the State of Illinois Group Insurance program (health, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage options).
• 12 paid sick days annually.
• A minimum of 10 paid vacation days annually.
• 6 paid personal days annually.
• 13 paid state holidays annually.

What This Job Offers

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