Procurement Specialist

Essential Functions

• Verify needs with District staff and negotiate prices, terms, discounts, services, delivery, and transportation with vendors for goods and services consistent with applicable federal and state laws and District policies and procedures. Develop requests for quotes/bids/proposals, conduct pre-bid meetings, openings and debriefings, coordinate questions, answers, and addenda. Evaluate suppliers, negotiate contracts and review product/service quality. Apply, interpret, and adhere to relevant laws, legal codes, government regulations, and District rules, procedures and practices. 
• Determines or recommends method of procurement, such as direct purchase or bid. Prepares bid specifications, receive bids, and make purchases of commodities or goods.
• Recommend procurement process; draft, evaluate and finalize agreements of varying types, such as non-disclosure, sales/purchase, sub-contract, consulting, license, distribution, commercial and public contracting, construction, cooperative funding or other agreements as needed. Review procurement and contractual terms and conditions proposed by other internal and external stakeholders. Investigate new sources of supply and environmentally preferable products and services by gathering and analyzing market intelligence on suppliers, products, services, and costs. Estimates values according to knowledge of market price.
• Work with Finance, the Office of General Counsel, Risk, and others to coordinate financial, legal, insurance, and others contractual terms and ensure adherence to broader operational requirements such as contractual or statutory/rule requirements.
• Serve as a point of contact and provide guidance as needed for employees, customers, and stakeholders on contractual and procurement matters. Orient, train, and advise staff, vendors, and other government agencies on regulations, District policies, procedures and current solicitations. 
• Establish and maintain relations with suppliers and internal customers exercising personal initiative and sound business judgment and employ process quality improvement and cost reduction efforts. Apply, interpret, and adhere to relevant laws, legal codes, government regulations, and District rules, procedures, and practices. 
• Maintain appropriate records and documentation, such as correspondence, data, and reports needed or used in development of contracts, stakeholder contact information, contract modifications, issue identification/resolution, significant events, status reports, and other procurement-related documents. Identify and establish monitoring and reporting methods and requirements for procurement. Identify potential problems or areas of recurrent concern or pressure within the course and scope of contract or procurement efforts and identify/implement effective solutions.
• Contribute to, influence, develop and implement procedures for procurement management and administration in accordance with District policy. Expedite, track, monitor, and report on processes, documents, and performance. Administer the District's Procurement Card Program, including P-card establishment, training, disputes, and closeout. Manage vendor relationships.