State Purchasing Officer/Acting State Purchasing Officer/Procurement Specialist

DGS Office of External Affairs; Illinois; On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The DGS Office of External Affairs in Illinois is seeking a State Purchasing Officer/Procurement Specialist to oversee procurements for state agencies under the Chief Procurement Officer for General Services. Based in Springfield, the role ensures legal and ethical procurement practices while managing billions in purchasing activity.

The position offers a career ladder, with certification required within 30 months.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of degree and professional experience.
• Ability to communicate complex information verbally and in writing.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with ability to identify and solve problems.
• Three years experience in public administration or regulatory environment (preferred).
• Current procurement certification (CPPB, CPPO, CPSM, CPSD, or APSM) preferred.
• Experience with enterprise resource planning or electronic procurement systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Regulates procurements for state agencies ensuring compliance with laws and ethical standards.
• Oversees more than $7 billion in state procurements and maintains fair, transparent procurement processes.
• Works under the Chief Procurement Officer for General Services and operates independently to ensure accountability.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Public administration experience

Tools

ERP systems

e-procurement systems

Job description

The State Purchasing Officer/Procurement Specialist regulates procurements for state agencies under the Chief Procurement Officer for General Services, ensuring compliance with legal standards and ethical practices. This position, based in Springfield under the Executive Ethics Commission, oversees more than $7 billion in state procurements and operates independently to maintain fair, transparent, and accountable government purchasing. The role offers a career ladder allowing entry at the Procurement Specialist level or Acting State Purchasing Officer level based on qualifications, with the requirement to obtain procurement certification within 30 months.

Key qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent combination of degree and relevant professional experience


• Ability to effectively communicate complex information verbally and in writing


• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with ability to identify and solve problems


• Three years experience in public administration or regulatory environment (preferred)


• Current procurement certification (CPPB, CPPO, CPSM, CPSD, or APSM) preferred


• Experience with enterprise resource planning or electronic procurement systems preferred