Purchasing Director

St. Louis County; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Louis County is seeking a Purchasing Director to oversee the Procurement Division. This role involves managing procurement processes, providing contractual advice, and ensuring compliance with laws. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in public procurement and excellent customer service skills.

Benefits

Affordable health insurance

Dental and vision coverage

4 weeks of Paid Time Off

11 paid holidays

Deferred benefit retirement plan

Paid life insurance

Short- and long-term disability

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years of procurement experience required.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in governmental purchasing.

Responsibilities

• Direct the acquisition of goods, services, and supplies for St. Louis County.
• Provide oversight for all purchasing functions throughout the county.
• Manage a staff of contract administrators and support staff.

Skills

Public Relations

Collaboration

Customer Service

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration

Job description

St. Louis County Government is a regional leader that delivers high quality services and works with its citizens, businesses, and local partners to foster strong, healthy communities and a vibrant economy. St. Louis County, with a population of approximately 1 million, is the largest county in the State of Missouri. St. Louis County Government employs approximately 4,200 people in a variety of fields and departments.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Purchasing Director to join our team to provide oversight and management of the Procurement Division within the Department of Administration. This management position serves as the principal public procurement official for the County and is responsible for the procurement of goods, supplies and services in accordance with applicable federal, state, and county laws and ordinances. The Purchasing Director also oversees the Minority and Woman Business Enterprise (M/WBE) program and the Prevailing Wage Program.

Responsibilities include providing professional support and sound contractual advice to all departments. Supervision is exercised over professional and clerical staff engaged in procurement and contract compliance activities.

The successful candidate must have the ability to foster effective public relations and work collaboratively with a diverse customer base to deliver effective solutions with a keen commitment to excellent internal and external customer service.

As an employer, St. Louis County cares about the health and well-being of our employees. In an effort to provide for the best possible work-life balance, the County offers a generous benefit package which includes affordable health insurance, dental and vision coverage, 4 weeks of Paid Time Off the first year, 11 paid holidays, deferred benefit retirement plan, paid life insurance as well as short- and long-term disability.

To learn more County benefits, please visit https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/administration/personnel/benefits.

St. Louis County Government is a qualified agency for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program managed by the Federal Government.

For more information regarding this program, please visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

Essential Function Examples

• Direct the acquisition of goods, services, construction, and supplies for St. Louis County.
• Provide professional support, sound contractual advice, and oversight for all purchasing functions throughout the county to ensure the most effective, efficient, and ethical day-to-day operations of the Procurement Division of the Department of Administration.
• Manage a staff consisting of contract administrators, M/WBE Program staff, Prevailing Wage Enforcement Coordinator, and support staff.
• Review County ordinances and make suggestions for improvement.
• Develop and implement M/WBE, prevailing wage and purchasing policies and processes in accordance with federal and state law and County ordinances.
• Conduct negotiations with vendors on proposals, contracts, and contract claims in a fair and equitable manner.
• Ensure purchasing practices are consistent, open, and designed to encourage maximum competition and best value procurements.
• Review and execute contracts, purchase orders, change orders, and other documents within delegated authority.
• Conduct training and information sessions for county staff in the procedures and techniques required in the performance of their duties.
• Foster a culture of innovation with a strong sense of how to develop and offer new products and services to meet department requirements.
• Prepare briefings and requests forlegislation forsenior management and County Council approval.
• Define standards and certify Requests for Proposals for county departments.
• Designate surplus supplies and supervise their selling, trading, or disposal in accordance with County ordinances.
• Work in conjunction with all divisions within the Department of Administration, including, but not limited to Performance Management and Budget, Fiscal Management, General Services, and Human Resources.
• Participate in developing departmental strategic policies and innovative procedures to enhance the efficiency and quality of services provided by the Department of Administration as a whole.
• Develop, recommend, and monitor the division budget.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Requires graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, or related field. Minimum of ten (10) years of procurement experience including five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental purchasing is required or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Require supervisory experience.

From the County Charter: 107.040

—The Director of Administration shall appoint, under the merit system, a purchasing agent who shall have charge of and be responsible for the purchasing of all supplies for the County and such other personal property and services as may be directed by ordinance. The Agent shall be at least twenty-five (25) years of age, and shall have had at least five (5) years' experience as a commercial or governmental purchasing or buying agent. He shall give an official bond to be approved by the County Counselor in the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00).

SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT : A selection committee will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant which will include recentness and appropriateness of the applicant's education and experience, answers to the supplemental questions, results of employment references investigated and any other appropriate information available.

The selection committee will admit to the interview only those persons who possess the most job related qualifications and may establish admittance criteria beyond the minimum qualifications stated above. The interview will comprise 100% of the applicant's earned grade. A candidate must earn a qualifying grade of 70 or more on the interview to be eligible for appointment. After initial interviews with the selected candidates are conducted, an email will be sent to the address on file with instructions on how to complete and submit a Conviction Questionnaire. Candidates have 3 days to complete the required questionnaire.

The five top ranking candidates, based on the final grade, will be certified to the Department Director/Appointing Authority who will make the final decision.

All applicants conditionally offered a merit position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Screening will be performed by a reputable clinical laboratory. The cost of screening will be covered by the County.

HOW TO APPLY : Applicants interested in applying for this position should visit our website at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/stlouis . We only accept On-line applications.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY : The policy of the Civil Service Commission of St. Louis County is to support fair and equitable employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veterans' status or political affiliation. Call the Division of Personnel at [phone] for more information on this policy.

St. Louis County
Division of Personnel, 7th Floor
Clayton, MO63105
[phone]
Relay MO 711 or 800-735-2966
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Fax: [phone]
www.stlouiscountymo.gov