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Procurement Contract Specialist

The County of Riverside's Purchasing and Fleet Department has multiple opportunities for Procurement Contract Specialists to serve as advisors in purchasing and negotiating matters. These positions offer an excellent developmental opportunity for promotional growth, including the ability to obtain high level signing authority.

Serving as liaisons, the Specialists will understand the unique needs of the departments they support. The incumbents will act as procurement subject matter experts with the proven ability to implement industry best practices. They will be responsible for negotiating and drafting contracts for services and tangible goods, issuing purchase orders, and acting as primary contacts for vendors.

Additional duties include researching, developing, and reviewing complete and appropriate specifications to assist the County in soliciting quotes, bids, and proposals for all types of goods and services, as well as participating in and conducting public bid openings. These positions will also work closely with internal stakeholders, leading meetings and assessing procurement needs, with a strong emphasis on writing skills and an understanding of procurement terminology.

Competitive candidates will possess:

• A bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Broad and complex procurement experience which included completing purchases, bids, proposals, quotes, request for quotes/RFQs, request for information/RFIs, requests for proposals/RFPs, and request for bids/RFBs.
• Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) or Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) certification from the Universal Public Procurement Council (UPPC).
• Extensive service-related procurement experience.
• Public sector or utility company purchasing experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A strong candidate will have experience with and knowledge of public works projects governed by the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (CUPCCAA). Experience beyond standard goods and services procurement is highly desirable.
• Applicants with hands-on experience managing informal public works projectssuch as parking lot paving, gate or window replacement, or roof repairswill be especially competitive.

Examples of essential duties include:

• Work independently in developing and coordinating complex contracts for commodities or services with multiple departments; research, develop and maintain vendor product information lists; survey multiple departments, districts, and agencies to determine product and service needs.
• Assist in developing and defining contract specifications; write solicitations for bids (e.g., Request for Proposals, Requests for Quotations, Invitations to Bid); analyze and determine most appropriate contract types to reduce County's exposure to risk.
• Review findings for accuracy, cost-effectiveness, adherence to standards, codes, and County policies and procedures; identify operational problems and formulate appropriate solutions.
• Communicate and act as a liaison between vendors and department users to develop compromises and resolve contractual problems or complaints; organize, direct and lead negotiating teams in evaluating and negotiating contracts.
• Develop and present training sessions for County staff, industry and other organizations on purchasing related procedures and policies; market County awards to other political subdivisions when applicable.
• Lead diverse technical and professional committees in problem resolution relative to County-wide standard and contractual relationship.
• Supervise, assign, and evaluate work of subordinate staff.

Minimum qualifications include:

• Option I: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree with major coursework in purchasing, business administration, economics, or a related field. Two years of full-time buying experience in a Purchasing Department or Agency, which included contract negotiation, contract management, development of contract standards and procedures, and development of multi-year or major high value multi-commodity agreements.
• Option II: Four years of full-time buying experience in a Purchasing Department or Agency, two years of which should be equivalent to the County of Riverside Buyer II classification, which included contract negotiation, contract management, development of contract standards and procedures, and development of multi-year or major high value multi-commodity agreements.

Other requirements include:

• A successful Sheriff Level One Security Clearance conducted by the Sheriffs' Department.
• A valid California Driver's License is required. The PCS will be traveling throughout the county, using a county vehicle, to meet with vendors, attend bid walks, and manage other department needs. Travel to locations such as Blythe required. Inclement weather when visiting locations or vendors.