Procurement Contract Specialist

County of Riverside; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Riverside is seeking a seasoned Procurement Contract Specialist to oversee complex contracts and vendor negotiations for County departments. The role focuses on ensuring compliance with public works bidding procedures and contract standards.

The position requires a bachelor's degree, substantial procurement experience, and strong communication skills to liaise effectively with vendors and County staff across multi-year projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Broad procurement experience including bids, quotes, RFQs/RFPs.
• CPPO or CPPB certification preferred.
• Public works procurement experience desirable.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Extensive service-related procurement experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate complex contracts for commodities and services.
• Lead negotiating teams and evaluate vendor proposals.
• Review bids, quotes and proposals for compliance and cost-effectiveness.
• Prepare and administer contracts and renewals; ensure policy adherence.
• Develop training sessions for County staff on purchasing procedures.
• Interface with vendors and departments to resolve contractual issues.

Skills

Procurement experience

CPPO/CPPB

Public works bidding

Communication skills

Service procurement

Bachelor's degree

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Competitive Candidates will Possess:

• A bachelor's Degree.
• 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).
• Public works or utility company purchasing experience such as conducting solicitations for construction, including repair and remodels, facilities maintenance, and/or capitol improvement projects using applicable public works bidding procedures.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Extensive service-related procurement experience.

Meet the Team!

The Purchasing and Fleet Department's primary function is to provide vehicles, goods and services to other County Departments and agencies within the County of Riverside. Providing a unified purchasing system that ensures integrity and fairness, with centralized responsibility for oversight of solicitation, vendor selection, negotiation, award, contract management, reporting, disposal of surplus property and emergency logistical support for the benefit of Riverside County agencies.

• Work independently in developing and coordinating complex contracts for commodities and services for departments; conduct market research to develop and maintain vendor product information lists.
• Assist in developing and defining contract specifications; write solicitations (e.g., Request for Proposals, Requests for Quotations, Requests to Bid); analyze and determine the most appropriate contract types to reduce the 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.
• Preparing and administering contracts and contract renewals for professional and general services.
• Reviewing bids, quotes, and proposals for responsiveness and legal compliance.

OPTION I

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree with major coursework in purchasing, business administration, economics, or a related field. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for up to two years of the required education on the basis of 30 semester/45 quarter units equaling one year of full-time experience.)

***A copy of your degree or transcripts MUST be uploaded with your application, please see "Supplemental Information" below for guidelines***

Experience: Two years of buying experience in a Purchasing Department or Agency, which includes contract negotiation, development of contract standards and procedures, and development of multi-year or major high value multi-commodity agreements.

OPTION II

Experience: Four years of 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, development of contract standards and procedures, and development of multi-year or major high value multi-commodity agreements.

Other Requirements:

Knowledge of: The methods, principles, and practices of purchasing/material management and of governmental purchasing; County purchasing policies and practices; a variety of product standards required by assigned departments; products, commodities, and services used within one or more commodity grouping; methods and resources used in researching and analyzing commodities and services; competitive bid practices and procedures; methods used in evaluating vendor capability and performance.

Ability to: Work independently; read and interpret rules and regulations; collect, organize, and evaluate product or service information; identify alternative solutions, and project consequences of decisions and recommendations; compose clear and concise reports, recommendations, and correspondence; communicate in a clear and persuasive manner; establish and maintain effective relationships with department officials, company/vendor representatives, and staff members; prepare purchasing specifications; lead specialized focus groups and support staff.

A successful Sheriff Level One Security Clearance conducted by the Sheriffs' Department may be required for Procurement Contract Specialists.

License: A valid California Driver's License is required to drive to different sites throughout the County.