Procurement Specialist II/III

Fairfax Water; Morin-Heights; On-site; CAD 126,000 - 181,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfax Water seeks an experienced procurement professional to manage complex procurements and contract activities. You will lead competitive processes, assist with specifications, and prepare agreements while ensuring VPPA compliance and ethical standards.

Responsibilities include strategic sourcing, bid/proposal evaluations, and supporting executive reporting. Strong negotiation and MS Office skills are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or related field plus 3+ years managing complex procurements including IT, facilities, construction or services.
• CPPB/CPPO certification or ability to obtain within one year is required or strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of Virginia Public Procurement Act and Fairfax Water policies is preferred.
• Ability to build relationships with supervisors, co-workers, customers and the public.
• Experience in state/local government procurement and contract administration is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage procurements of goods and nonprofessional services with independence and collaboration across divisions.
• Oversee competitive procurement processes compliant with VPPA and Fairfax Water policies.
• Lead strategic sourcing via competitive methods and various contract types.
• Assist requisitioners with specifications and scopes of work for solicitations.
• Prepare and review agreements, participate in board item reviews, and create purchase orders.
• Negotiate contract changes and perform contract administration and reporting.

Skills

Procurement management

Contract administration

Negotiation

Vendor management

MS Office

Communication skills

SAP Ariba

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration

CPPB/CPPO certification

Tools

SAP Ariba

MS Office

Job description

Under limited supervision of the Procurement Program Supervisor, this position manages procurements of goods and nonprofessional services and has responsibility for the management of contract activities. Must be able to work independently and collaborate with other departments and divisions to contract for a wide variety of services, this may include managing entity-wide contracts across the organization.

Candidates with demonstrated experience applying and interpreting the Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA) in a public-sector or quasi-government environment are strongly encouraged to apply. This experience is highly desired and will be prioritized during evaluation.

Manages large complex procurement and contract management activities by:

• Manages competitive procurement process, formal and informal, in compliance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act and Fairfax Water policies and procedures.
• Manages strategic sourcing through various procurement methods including, but not limited to, competitive negotiation, competitive sealed bidding IFB, competitive negotiations (RFP), sole source, and cooperative procurements for a wide variety of goods and/or services including construction, information technology, human services, financial and other Fairfax Water mission related contracts.
• Assists requisitioners in the development, review, modification and approval of specifications and/or scopes of work for solicitations and/or contracts.
• Researches sources of supply to determine the availability of existing public contracts to satisfy user requirements.
• Determines appropriate procurement method.
• Conducts pre-bid and pre-proposal conferences.
• Completes evaluation of bids and proposals for compliance with the solicitation requirements.
• Documents procurement process to ensure all phases are conducted in a manner consistent with procurement best practices, the Virginia Public Procurement Act and Fairfax Water requirements and maintains all ethical standards and credibility in the marketplace with potential bidders and offerors, contractors and customers.
• Prepares complete agreements identifying appropriate and applicable terms and conditions for purchase of goods and/or services. Works with supervisor on revisions to terms and conditions as appropriate.
• Assists with review and editing of Board Items for contract awards.
• Creates purchase orders under the authority delegated by the Procurement Manager.
• Works with supervisor to negotiate contract changes with contractors.
• Performs contract administration functions, identifying problems and initiating corrective action when appropriate.
• Prepares materials, reports and supporting documentation on procurement related matters for Executive Management and Fairfax Water’s Board.
• May be required to deliver internal Procurement training, as assigned.
• Maintains complete procurement file documentation.
• Testify in court to support Fairfax Water’s actions or interest in procurement or contract disputes, as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or other business-related field from an accredited college or university; and at least three years of progressively responsible experience in management of complex procurements which includes information technology, facility operations, construction professional / non-professional services and management of awarded contracts.
• Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), or ability to obtain within one year of employment.
• Knowledge of Virginia Public Procurement Act preferred, procurement policies, regulations, procedures and procurement best practices.
• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, internal and external customers and the general public.
• Considerable experience in state and/or local government procurement and contract administration.
• Ability to use sound judgment in making independent decisions.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Experience drafting, procurements, specifications and contracts.
• Experience negotiating complex and technical contracts, change orders, amendments and renewals.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in SAP Ariba Supplier Lifecycle Performance, Sourcing and, Contract, Supplier Management s or other similar Enterprise Resource Planning systems.
• Considerable sound judgment and problem-solving skills used in decision-making.
• Considerable expertise in MS Office with a high level of proficiency in Teams, Word and Excel and experience using PowerPoint.
• Must pass a controlled substance (drug) test for employment.