Procurement Supervisor

Seattle Public Schools; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle Public Schools seeks a Procurement Supervisor to lead a three-person team, oversee select high-risk solicitations, critical contracts, and PO processing, blending hands-on purchasing with strategic leadership. The role ensures compliance with laws and policies, drives best value, and uses ERP systems like SAP to deliver transparent, accountable procurement across the district.

This working supervisor position requires strong negotiation, training, and collaboration with internal

Qualifications

• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in a large public agency or equivalent.
• Experience leading a team and supervising procurement staff.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and organizational procurement regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a team of Procurement Specialists, setting priorities and monitoring progress.
• Advise or lead negotiations on contract terms with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Manage high-risk solicitations, oversee contracts, and process purchase orders.
• Review solicitations and contracts for compliance and best value; assist with audits.
• Develop policy guidance, train staff, and communicate procurement requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Coaching & mentorship

Compliance awareness

Stakeholder collaboration

Procurement systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field

Purchasing Certification (CPCM/CPPO/CPPM CPM)

Tools

SAP

ERP platforms

Job description

The Procurement Supervisor provides leadership and oversight for the acquisition of goods, services, and works in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies. This role ensures transparency, fairness, and cost-effectiveness in all procurement activities while maintaining accountability and adherence to ethical standards.

As a working supervisor, this position supervises a team of three Procurement Specialists, guiding their work, setting priorities, and ensuring compliance with established procedures. In addition to supervisory responsibilities, the Procurement Supervisor performs procurement activities directly, including managing select high-risk solicitations, overseeing critical contracts, and processing purchase orders. This dual role requires balancing leadership with hands‑on execution to achieve organizational objectives.

The Procurement Supervisor exercises delegated authority to review and approve solicitations and contracts within defined thresholds, collaborates with internal stakeholders and external vendors to deliver successful outcomes, and leverages procurement systems and ERP platforms (e.g., SAP) to drive efficiency, transparency, and accountability across all procurement processes.

40% Supervisory Leadership and Staff Development

• Lead and manage a team of Procurement Specialists, setting priorities, assigning work, and monitoring progress to ensure compliance with established procedures and deadlines.
• Advise or lead negotiations on contract terms and conditions with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Establish clear performance expectations, conduct evaluations, and provide coaching and mentorship to support professional growth.
• Make recommendations on hiring, disciplinary actions, and workload adjustments.
• Serve as a resource for technical guidance and problem-solving on complex procurement issues, including solicitation and contract reviews.
• Review and approve solicitations and contracts for Procurement Specialists
• Act as backup to the Purchasing Manager during absences.

20% Compliance, Policy, and Procedure Development

• Interpret and enforce federal, state, and organizational procurement regulations, School Board policies, and Superintendent-approved procedures.
• Review solicitation language for compliance and monitor adherence to procurement standards.
• Ensure vendors and internal staff understand compliance requirements through training and communication.

20% Competitive Solicitations & Contract Management

• Manage all aspects of select high-risk solicitations and critical contracts (including contract negotiations).
• Oversee and facilitate formal procurement processes, including bids, RFPs, RFQs, and other procurement types while ensuring best value and compliance with regulations.
• Assist with drafting contract amendments, monitor renewal options, and issue reminders to contract owners.
• Coordinate responses to bid protests and provide documentation for audits.
• Processing purchase orders as needed.

20% Additional Duties

• Aid in the development of solicitation and contracting documents in collaboration with Procurement & Distribution Services Manager and Legal Counsel.
• Prepare reports for management and keep leadership informed of unit and project activities.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve turnaround times, and enhance customer service.
• Conduct vendor outreach, including engagement with small businesses, and represent the organization at trade shows and industry events.
• Foster relationships with suppliers to ensure quality, timely delivery, and value for money.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• May perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.
• Inputs and maintains a variety of databases and files.
• Helps administrate SPS department website and other Procurement Services resources.
• Initiates contracts for routing in E-builder, DocuSign, or other District applications.

RELEVANT COMPETENCIES

Developing Others

Is a people builder, provides challenging and stretching tasks and assignments; constructs compelling development plans and executes them; pushes direct reports to accept developmental moves.

• Gives people assignments that help todevelop their abilities.
• Work collaboratively with direct reports to set meaningful performance objectives.
• Meets regularly with direct reports to review developmental progress.
• Recognizes and reinforces developmental efforts and improvements.

Managing & Measuring Work

Clearly assigns responsibility for tasks and decisions ;sets clear objectives and measures; monitors process, progress, and results; designs feedback loops in to work.

• Identifies people and resources necessary to accomplish tasks.
• Develops success indicators and monitors and reports status based on those indicators.
• Develops effective communication skills and tools to interact with team.

Managerial Courage

Tactfully dispenses direct and actionable feedback; is open and direct with others without being intimidating ;deals head-on with people problems and prickly situations.

• Let’s people know where they stand and faces up topeople problems quickly, directly and respectfully.
• Responds constructively to challenging situations or people even under stress.
• Does not hold back on anything that needs be said or done in a productive and constructive way.

Customer Focus

Commits to meeting the expectations and requirements of interna land external stakeholders; acts with stakeholders in mind; values importance of providing high-quality customer service.

• Makes customers and their needs aprimary focus of his/her actions.
• Thinks ahead and considers the impact of actions both internally and externally.
• Develops trust, credibility and maintains strong relationships with customers.
• Goes the extra mile to satisfy customer needs and expectations.

Dealing with Ambiguity

Can effectively cope with change; can shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.

• Responds quickly to change and comfortably considers new approaches.
• Operates well in situations when consequences of actions and decisions are unclear.
• Switches strategies or approach if current ones are not working.

DISTRICT-WIDE CORE COMPETENCIES

Collaboration

Develops cooperation and teamwork while participating in a group, working toward solutions which generally benefit all involved parties.

• Is seen as a team player who encourages efficient and effective collaborations.
• Works skillfully in difficult situations with both internal and external groups.
• Represents his/her own interests while being open-minded to other groups.
• Builds respectful and productive relationships internally and externally.

Getting Results (Action Oriented)

Performs work with energy and drive; values planning, but will take quick, decisive action when an opportunity presents itself.

• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and getting work done.
• Focuses on achieving the goal even in the face of obstacles.
• Assumes responsibility for starting and finishing work with minimal supervision.
• Strives for new levels of performance.

Decision Quality & Problem Solving

Uses analysis, wisdom, experience and logical methods to make good decisions and solve difficult problems with effective solutions; appropriately incorporates multiple inputs to establish shared ownership and effective action.

• Weighs the consequences of options before making a decision.
• Applies appropriate criteria to situations for the purpose of making decisions.
• Displays self-confidence in own judgment.
• Focuses in the facts and solutions instead of opinions and problems.

Integrity

Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; presents truthful information in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn’t misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.

• Deals with people and situations in an honest and forthright manner.
• Represents information and data accurately and completely.
• Represents the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
• Takes ownership if a mistake is their own and does not blame others.

Accountability

Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely and cost-effective results; determines objectives, sets priorities and delegates work; accepts responsibility for mistakes; complies with established control systems and rules.

• Takes responsibility and action as if the risks (financial or otherwise) are his or her own.
• Holds individuals and team accountable for their actions and results.
• Initiates action even if outcome is uncertain and is willing to accept the consequences of failure.
• Aligns own activities and priorities to meet broader organizational needs.
• Demonstrates courage and confidence in his or her own ability.

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:

Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in a large public agency, dealing with school district guidelines and State procurement regulations; Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field; Master’s degree preferred; OR completion of Purchasing Certification Program such as CPCM, CPM or CPPO and four (4) additional years of experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work will be considered.

DESIRED CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES:

CPCM, CPM, CPPB or CPPO preferred.

CLEARANCES:

Criminal Justice fingerprinting and background check