Procurement Specialist 9.11.26

State of Missouri; Jefferson City (MO); On-site; USD 58,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Missouri is seeking a Procurement Specialist within the Procurement Unit to manage the full procurement life cycle for essential services, products, and IT. This professional role requires strong judgment, communication, and the ability to mentor staff while guiding complex contracts to successful awards.

The position is located at 3418 Knipp Drive, Jefferson City, MO, with standard work hours 8:00–5:00, Monday–Friday.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of relevant procurement experience.
• Ability to manage full procurement life cycle and contracts.
• Strong communication and vendor relationship skills.
• Substitutions may be allowed; lack of post-secondary education not sole basis for denial.

Responsibilities

• Lead & Develop Staff: Directly supervise, train, and develop other procurement team members.
• Contract Life Cycle: Oversee the entire procurement process for services, products, and IT purchases, from initial research to final award.
• Determine Procurement Paths: Analyze unique situations to determine the most appropriate purchasing path and ensure reliable follow-through on all activities.
• Develop Contracts & Collaborate: Draft solicitations, prepare contract language, and coordinate with legal counsel and program staff to meet DSS needs.
• Oversee Bids & Evaluations: Conduct pre-bid and proposal conferences, ensuring fair, open, compliant evaluation of responses.
• Act as primary liaison with the Office of Administration, Division of Purchasing, and internal DSS to establish contracts and consult on fiscal matters.
• Establish and administer contracts in accordance with state purchasing regulations and maintain records.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Procurement

Staff development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Division of Finance and Administrative Services is seeking a highly responsible individual to fill the role of Procurement Specialist within the Procurement Unit.

Job Posting Number: 4041 8680143

Semi-Monthly Salary: The current rate for this position is $2,666.67. Individual(s) selected for this position may receive a higher rate based on a pay differential (e.g. shift, or time-of-service pay).

Annual Salary: $64,000

Work Hours: The work hours for this position are 8:00 to 5:00, Monday through Friday.

Job Location: This position will be located at 3418 Knipp Drive, Jefferson City, MO.

Why You'll Love This Position

The Department of Social Services (DSS) partners with families and communities to protect children, rehabilitate youth, and move families to self-sufficiency. As a Procurement Specialist, you will play a critical, hands‑on role in supporting this mission by managing the full procurement life cycle for the essential services, products, and technology needed to serve Missouri citizens.

For this professional-level role, we are looking for an experienced individual who brings a strong foundation in procurement or a closely related field. You will use your independent judgment, critical thinking, and communication skills to build positive relationships with vendors and internal partners. If you are ready to take ownership of complex contracts, guide critical projects, and directly supervise and develop other procurement staff. This is an excellent opportunity to advance your career while doing meaningful work.

This is a professional-level position where you will be accountable for the procurement and contracting process from beginning to end. You will utilize a wide range of contracting methods to obtain products, services, and IT solutions. Beyond managing your own projects, you will use your expertise to guide initiatives forward and mentor team members.

Your Day-to-day Duties Will Include

• Lead & Develop Staff: Directly supervise, train, and develop other procurement team members.
• Contract Life Cycle: Oversee the entire procurement process for services, products, and IT purchases, from initial research to final award.
• Determine Procurement Paths: Analyze unique situations to determine the most appropriate purchasing path and ensure reliable follow-through on all activities.
• Develop Contracts & Collaborate: Draft solicitations, compose contract language, and collaborate with legal counsel and program staff to ensure documents meet DSS needs.
• Oversee Bids & Evaluations: Conduct pre-bid and proposal conferences, ensuring that all solicitation responses are evaluated in a fair, open, and compliant manner.
• Act as the primary liaison with the Office of Administration (OA), Division of Purchasing, and internal DSS administration to establish contracts and consult on fiscal matters.
• Establish and administer contracts in accordance with state purchasing regulations (including RSMo. Chapter 34) and maintain complete, accurate records.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of relevant experience. (Substitutions may be allowed). Lack of post‑secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and knowledge in public procurement is strongly preferred.
• Experience or familiarity with human services or information technology procurement paths.
• Experience working with databases, SAMII, MissouriBUYS, and SharePoint.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

If you have questions about this position, please contact: Human Resources [e-mail]. If you experience accessibility issues while applying, please contact Courtney Hall at [e-mail] or call 573-751-4244.

Recruitment Area: All qualified applicants.

Application Deadline: September 25, 2026