Contracting & Procurement Specialist

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) is seeking a Contracting & Procurement Specialist for its in-office role in Oklahoma City, OK. You will manage the full procurement lifecycle, including requisition review, sourcing, bid processes, and vendor management, ensuring compliance with the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act and agency policies.

Ideal candidates will have a bachelor's degree in business/public administration or related field, plus professional procurement experience, and possibly CPO

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus two years of professional experience in purchasing/procurement, or at least 5 years in purchasing/procurement.
• Certified Procurement Officer (CPO) II preferred; must obtain within agency timeframe.
• Experience with competitive bidding processes and contract management; knowledge of Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act and OMES procedures.

Responsibilities

• Manage full procurement lifecycle including requisition review, sourcing, solicitation development, evaluation, and award.
• Assist in competitive bidding processes (RFQ, ITB, RFP) per Oklahoma statutes and agency policy.
• Interpret and apply the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act and related administrative rules.
• Follow SOPs for procurement functions and train staff on procurement processes and systems (e.g., Oracle Fusion).
• Leverage statewide and cooperative contracts to maximize efficiency.
• Develop and maintain strong vendor relationships and resolve performance issues.

Skills

Procurement knowledge

Negotiation

Vendor relations

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Public Administration/Finance

Tools

Oracle Fusion

PeopleSoft

Job description

Job Posting Title

Contracting & Procurement Specialist

Agency

978 OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY

Supervisory Organization

Controller Administration-Neal A McCaleb Transportation Building

Job Posting End Date

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Job Description

Why join the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority?

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) has been serving Oklahomans since 1947, managing and maintaining a modern, safe, and efficient turnpike system across the state. With a commitment to customer service and innovation, OTA plays a vital role in ensuring smooth and reliable travel for millions of motorists each year. As a part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working in a collaborative and supportive environment. OTA offers competitive pay, excellent benefits, and opportunities for growth, making it an excellent choice to build your career in public service.

Position Overview

This is a full-time, in-office position located in Oklahoma City, OK.

The Contracting and Procurement Specialist is responsible for managing and supporting the full procurement lifecycle, including requisition review, sourcing, solicitation development, evaluation, contract award, and vendor management, while ensuring compliance with the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act, administrative rules, agency policies, and established procurement procedures. This role collaborates with leadership, vendors, and internal stakeholders to develop specifications, scopes of work, and evaluation criteria; administer competitive bidding processes; leverage statewide and cooperative contracts; resolve contract and vendor performance issues; and provide training on procurement processes and systems such as Oracle Fusion. The position also focuses on building strong vendor relationships, improving procurement efficiency, identifying process gaps, and implementing continuous improvements to reduce delays and support organizational goals.

Compensation

This position pays $29.95 per hour ($62,300 annually).

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Daily duties and support of the full procurement lifecycle, including requisition review, sourcing strategy, solicitation development, evaluation, and award.
• Assist in the competitive bidding processes (RFQ, ITB, RFP) in accordance with Oklahoma statutes and agency policy and thresholds.
• Work with leadership to interpret and apply the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act and related administrative rules.
• Follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for procurement functions.
• Train staff and end-users on procurement processes and system usage (e.g., ERP systems like Oracle Fusion).
• Leverage statewide and cooperative contracts when appropriate to maximize efficiency.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors, contractors, and service providers.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define scope of work, specifications, and evaluation criteria.
• Assist in the resolution of vendor performance issues, disputes, and contract discrepancies.
• Train and guide internal stakeholders on procurement processes to improve efficiency and reduce rework.
• Identify process gaps and implement improvements to reduce delays in procurement cycles that could impact operations.
• Supports the agency P-card program, including cardholder applications, account maintenance, spending-limit changes, and card cancellation, subject to required approvals.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This position works in a comfortable office setting with a computer for a large percentage of the workday.

The noise level in the work environment is usually mild.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education and experience requirements consist of a bachelor's degree (preferably in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or related field) plus two years of professional experience in purchasing/procurement, or at least 5 years of professional experience in purchasing/procurement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Procurement Officer (CPO) II. Candidates who do not currently hold the certification must obtain it within the timeframe established by the Agency.
• Demonstrated experience with competitive bidding processes and contract management
• Strong knowledge of the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act and OMES procurement procedures
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., Oracle Fusion, PeopleSoft, or similar)
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and time management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with team members, leadershi