Chief Procurement Officer

COUNTY OF LEHIGH; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Lehigh seeks a qualified Chief Procurement Officer to lead the centralized purchasing program for all county offices and staff. You will develop policies, supervise professional and clerical teams, and ensure compliant, cost-effective sourcing across departments.

You will build relationships with contractors, educate staff on procurement laws, and guide bid processes from RFPs to contract awards, while engaging with regional purchasing communities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university or equivalent.
• Minimum of five (5) years' experience procuring goods and services with significant bid/proposal responsibilities.
• Experience with public procurement, including Invitations to Bid and Requests for Proposals.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the centralized procurement program for all County offices and staff.
• Develop and implement procurement policies and procedures.
• Direct the procurement activities of professional and clerical staff.
• Maintain relationships with contractors and suppliers; resolve problems and pursue opportunities.
• Educate County personnel on purchasing laws and contract terms.
• Develop specifications and documents for Invitations to Bid and RFPs.
• Oversee bidding processes to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• Lead and participate in RFP evaluation committees and contract negotiations.
• Engage with professional organizations to support procurement opportunities.

Skills

Procurement management

Bid/Proposal management

Contract knowledge

Relationship building

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

• The Chief Procurement Officer has oversight for the procurement program for all County offices, including developing and implementing procurement policies and procedures and oversees the professional and clerical staff.
• Manage the County's centralized purchasing function including the procurement activities of the professional and clerical staff.
• Establish departmental objectives, directs priorities, interprets purchasing policies, rules, and regulations governing procurement activities.
• Maintain relationships with contractors and suppliers to resolve problems, explore new business opportunities and maintain productive partnerships.
• Assist and educate County personnel of all levels in resolving purchasing discrepancies and familiarizing managers with purchasing laws in areas from processing requisitions to conforming to terms and conditions of contracts.
• Develop specifications and documents for solicitation of public Invitations to Bid and Requests for Proposals on major procurements of equipment, materials and services for all County agencies.
• Oversee conduct of the bidding process, insuring compliance with legal, regulatory and other requirements governing public procurement.
• Interview and work with contractors, suppliers, department heads and other officials concerning the purchasing of supplies and equipment.
• Function as chairperson of RFP evaluation committees (when applicable); provides technical expertise concerning contract specifications; analyzes bid and proposal responses, and administers the entire formal public bidding process.
• Participate in professional or collegial organizations that provide information and/or purchasing opportunities for the County, e.g. Lehigh Valley Cooperative Purchasing Council (LVCPC), the southeastern Pennsylvania Counties Cooperative Purchasing Board (SPCCPB), the Pennsylvania Public Purchasing Association (PAPPA), NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement.
• Perform related work as needed.

Summary

• The Chief Procurement Officer has oversight for the procurement program for all County offices, including developing and implementing procurement policies and procedures and oversees the professional and clerical staff.

Essential Duties

• Manage the County's centralized purchasing function including the procurement activities of the professional and clerical staff.
• Establish departmental objectives, directs priorities, interprets purchasing policies, rules, and regulations governing procurement activities.
• Maintain relationships with contractors and suppliers to resolve problems, explore new business opportunities and maintain productive partnerships.
• Assist and educate County personnel of all levels in resolving purchasing discrepancies and familiarizing managers with purchasing laws in areas from processing requisitions to conforming to terms and conditions of contracts.
• Develop specifications and documents for solicitation of public Invitations to Bid and Requests for Proposals on major procurements of equipment, materials and services for all County agencies.
• Oversee conduct of the bidding process, insuring compliance with legal, regulatory and other requirements governing public procurement.
• Interview and work with contractors, suppliers, department heads and other officials concerning the purchasing of supplies and equipment.
• Function as chairperson of RFP evaluation committees (when applicable); provides technical expertise concerning contract specifications; analyzes bid and proposal responses, and administers the entire formal public bidding process.
• Participate in professional or collegial organizations that provide information and/or purchasing opportunities for the County, e.g. Lehigh Valley Cooperative Purchasing Council (LVCPC), the southeastern Pennsylvania Counties Cooperative Purchasing Board (SPCCPB), the Pennsylvania Public Purchasing Association (PAPPA), NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement.
• Perform related work as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• The Chief Procurement Officer has supervisory responsibility for approximately (6) direct reports.

Qualifications

• To perform this job successfully, the individual in this position must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skills and ability required.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years' experience procuring goods and services, and managing competitive bids/proposals with the responsibility of at least $10 million in purchases annually and at least 30 user departments. Public procurement experience preferred, including familiarity with all aspects of Invitations to Bid and Requests for Proposal.
• Thorough knowledge of goals, objectives, methods and techniques applicable to the management of a centralized procurement program.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of County policies and procedures, general law of contracts and Commonwealth, Federal, cooperative and other types of contracts.
• Thorough knowledge of methods, techniques and legal requirements commonly employed in purchasing commodities and services used by government at the local level.
• Thorough knowledge in using personal computers including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Outlook) and internet applications.

Salary: $48.34 - $48.34 per hour