Division Director I

POSITION SUMMARY

The Procurement Director reports to the Chief Financial Officer, (CFO), and under specific delegated duties, assists in developing and delivering strategic procurement Services to the County. The incumbent directly supervises and directs strategic, operational, and compliance functions for County procurement, and manages and oversees the non-construction procurement, contracting, and competitive bidding program; including the development, implementation, and management of state-of-the-art procurement practices. Work involves highly complex analysis of purchases and contracts, department communication and coordination, vendor relations, procurement training, work plan development, negotiations, and dispute resolution, and is evaluated based on effective and efficient administration of the procurement program, policies and procedures, strategic direction, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Six (6) years of experience in public procurement, three (3) years of which were in a supervisory position. Government and or financial experience is also preferable.
• Public procurement certification and an advanced degree in appropriate field (Accounting, Management, Finance, Economics, Business, Public Administration) are strongly preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Strategy and Analytics:

• Participates in the development and implementation of strategic plans, budget, departmental goals, objectives and systems as relates to the procurement function
• In conjunction with the CFO, identifies best practice Government Procurement programs and initiatives to enable County missions and secure effective purchasing outcomes, and develops plans to implement such programs/services
• Leads and provides accurate, timely, and transparent analyses on purchasing efforts and outcomes across the portfolio to identify strategic opportunities, and inform purchasing decisions and processes
• Supports procurement-related aspects of the County’s equity and inclusion initiative, including identifying and removing unnecessary barriers to participation in County procurement activities

Service Delivery:

• Ensures that Procurement services delivery meets expected standards; implements changes and improvements
• Works with managers and other Finance leadership to ensure effective and collaborative working relationships across the Department
• Develops and implements clear communications within the Department and with stakeholders to support efficient processes and procedures
• Works with the CFO to align efforts and provide high-quality procurement services to County strategic initiatives
• Provides dispute resolution review, recommendations, and determinations.
• Provides procurement training to internal stakeholders and the vendor community.
• Oversees vendor relations, and MWSBE in collaboration with the HUB program manager.
• Provides technical guidance, recommendations, and oversight for contract administration.
• Performs related duties as required.
• Provides strategic support to the CFO, Department heads, and develops and implements procurement policy and program recommendations.

Standard Duties and Compliance:

• Oversees procurement function to ensure that the purchases and contracts are completed in the most efficient and effective manner possible, in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies, including the N.C. General Statutes, Uniform Guidance for procurement using Federal funds, Mecklenburg County Policies and Procedures, and HUB Policies.
• Solicits high dollar, highly complex technical or critical procurements.
• Negotiates large dollar procurements.
• Oversees the specification and scope of work development process to ensure appropriate competition.
• Assists the CFO with delegated authority for purchase orders, contracts, sole source procurements and emergency procurements.
• Interprets and implements statutory, policy and procedural requirements as they pertain to purchasing and contractual issues and contract administration.
• Reviews, approves, or denies sole source and emergency procurements within delegated authority.
• Provides daily management and oversight for the procurement and contracting processes.
• Work includes the management and supervision of subordinate staff.
• In addition, the Procurement Director will have other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience: Four (4) years of progressively responsible management experience directly related to the area of assignment.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree related to the area of assignment.

Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted? Yes

Licenses and Certifications: Valid NC or SC driver’s license and the ability to obtain and maintain a County Operator Permit.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Applicable procurement statutes, ordinances and codes regarding government purchasing and contracting processes and practices.
• Best procurement practices, program development, management, and implementation to ensure an efficient and effective purchasing and contract program.
• Accounting and budgeting process as it relates to purchasing transactions.
• Contract law, terms and conditions.
• Principles and processes for providing customer service. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Skilled in:

• Interpreting and administering large, complex procurements and contracts.
• Personal computer and common software proficiency, such as Microsoft Work, Access, and Excel.
• Effectively assessing progress by identifying and articulating clear, consistent key performance indicators.
• Consistently executing at a high level, driving positive change and the desire to build established programs and teams.
• Problem solving, organization and time management.
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Abilities:

• Develop, coach, and mentor staff, providing constant feedback and clear direction.
• Build credibility, organize effectively, solve problems quickly and communicate clearly.
• Foster an environment of creativity and innovation, focusing on the empowerment and support of staff through tools and continuous process improvement.
• Navigate and resolve various types of conflict in a timely and productive manner.
• Emotional intelligence required to meet the diverse needs of various departments and partners.
• Foster an environment of creativity and innovation, focusing on the empowerment and support of staff through tools and continuous process improvement.
• Business Acumen – Using economic, financial, market and industry data to understand and improve business results; using one’s understanding of major business functions, industry trends and own organization’s position to contribute to effective business strategies and tactics.
• Communication – Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.
• Building Partnerships – Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units or organizations to help achieve business goals.
• Collaboration – Working effectively and cooperatively with others; establishing and maintaining good working relationships.
• Negotiation – Effectively exploring alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain the support and acceptance of all parties.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Moderate noise is typical for the work environment for this job.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions