Senior Public Procurement & Contracts Specialist

Metra Commuter Rail; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 87,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Metra Commuter Rail seeks a Sr Contracting Officer to provide contract expertise on complex technical specifications and large projects. You will ensure compliance with local, state, and federal rules, analyze markets, and guide procurement strategies while negotiating terms and monitoring contractor performance.

The role emphasizes administration of competitive procurements, managing the contract lifecycle, and working with internal stakeholders to deliver value to Metra and the public transit

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Business or Public Admin, Supply Chain, Materials Mgmt, or Industrial Distribution.
• Five years of experience in procurement operations, materials management, contract admin/management.
• Knowledge of procurement laws, regs for local, state, and federal agencies (FTA, IDOT, RTA).
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 for document creation and tracking.
• ERP systems or procurement software experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide contract expertise on complex technical specifications, contracts, and solicitation documents for large projects.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and agency policies.
• Research market conditions, perform value analyses, and recommend procurement strategies.
• Negotiate and approve specifications, scopes, pricing, and contract terms to maximize value.
• Administer competitive procurements including bids, proposals, and contract lifecycle management.
• Monitor contractor performance, track progress, and perform close-outs; manage project schedules.
• Coordinate team activities, assign tasks, and provide guidance and training.

Skills

Procurement

Contract Admin

Vendor management

Negotiation

Communication

Analytics

Project mgmt

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or Public Administration, Supply Chain, Materials Management, or Industrial Distribution

Tools

Microsoft 365

ERP Systems

Job description

Metra Commuter Rail seeks a Sr Contracting Officer to provide contract expertise on complex technical specifications and large projects. You will ensure compliance with local, state, and federal rules, analyze markets, and guide procurement strategies while negotiating terms and monitoring contractor performance.

The role emphasizes administration of competitive procurements, managing the contract lifecycle, and working with internal stakeholders to deliver value to Metra and the public transit