Strategic Director of Public Procurement & Contracts

California State Association of Counties®; California; On-site; USD 240,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based salary reviews

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Disability and life insurance

Flexible management benefit credit

Defined benefit retirement – SDCERA

457 and 401(a) deferred compensation

Paid vacation 15 days

12 holidays and two floating holidays

Paid sick leave 13 days

Relocation allowance up to $20,000

Job summary

The County of San Diego is recruiting its next Director of Purchasing and Contracting to oversee procurement policy and centralized purchasing for 3.3 million residents, managing over 3,500 contracts and a $17 billion portfolio.

The role leads major solicitations, negotiations, and contract administration while driving a modernization agenda across Oracle, BuyNet, and AI pilots, with a focus on equity, local sourcing, and measurable service improvements.

Qualifications

• Five years of purchasing and contracting management-level experience, incl. supervision
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or certified foreign studies equivalency
• Master’s degree or higher may substitute for one year of experience, but not for supervision
• Professional certification or advanced training in public procurement, purchasing, or contracting is highly desirable

Responsibilities

• Oversee major solicitations, negotiations, and contract administration
• Work with department leaders across the County to resolve obstacles and improve service
• Lead modernization efforts across Oracle, BuyNet, records/search tools, AI pilots, and process redesign
• Develop a service-oriented team with clear expectations and strong vendor relations

Skills

Procurement leadership

Data-driven decision making

Contract negotiations

Staff development

Interdepartmental collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university

Master’s degree or higher may substitute for one year of experience

Public procurement/public contracting certification or advanced training

Tools

Oracle

BuyNet

Records and search tools

AI pilots

Process redesign

Job description

The County of San Diego is recruiting its next Director of Purchasing and Contracting to oversee procurement policy and centralized purchasing for 3.3 million residents, managing over 3,500 contracts and a $17 billion portfolio.

The role leads major solicitations, negotiations, and contract administration while driving a modernization agenda across Oracle, BuyNet, and AI pilots, with a focus on equity, local sourcing, and measurable service improvements.