Strategic Public Procurement Leader

Lccpa; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 100,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Lehigh County is seeking a Chief Procurement Officer to oversee the county procurement program across offices, directing policies and a team of staff. The role focuses on managing bids, developing RFPs, and maintaining supplier relationships to ensure compliant and efficient procurement.

The candidate will drive standardization of procedures, educate personnel on procurement laws, and engage with regional cooperative purchasing networks to optimize county purchasing efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five years' experience procuring goods and services with at least $10M purchases annually.
• Familiarity with Invitations to Bid and Requests for Proposals.
• Extensive knowledge of county policies, contracts, and public procurement rules.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and internet applications.

Responsibilities

• Manage the County's centralized purchasing function for professional and clerical staff.
• Establish departmental objectives, direct priorities, and interpret procurement policies.
• Maintain relationships with contractors and suppliers to resolve problems and explore opportunities.
• Educate County personnel on purchasing laws, requisitions, and contract terms.
• Develop specifications for Invitations to Bid and RFPs for major procurements.
• Oversee bidding processes and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Interview and collaborate with contractors, suppliers, and department heads on purchasing.
• Chair RFP evaluation committees and manage the formal bidding process.

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

5+ years' experience procuring goods and services with at least $10M annual purchases and 30 user departments

Extensive knowledge of public procurement processes and county contracts

Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and internet applications

Tools

Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Outlook

Job description

Lehigh County is seeking a Chief Procurement Officer to oversee the county procurement program across offices, directing policies and a team of staff. The role focuses on managing bids, developing RFPs, and maintaining supplier relationships to ensure compliant and efficient procurement.

The candidate will drive standardization of procedures, educate personnel on procurement laws, and engage with regional cooperative purchasing networks to optimize county purchasing efforts.