Title: Manager, Supplier Relationship Management - P0121

State Role Title: Procurement Officer II

Hiring Range: $80,000 - $92,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of General Services

Location: Patrick Henry Building

Agency Website: www.dgs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Department of General Services (DGS), Division of Purchases and Supply (DPS) is seeking a highly qualified, motivated, and self-starting individual, experienced in working with suppliers and contracting officers to resolve complaints, issues and claims in the procurement of non-technology goods, services, and/or construction. This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-paced, nationally recognized, award-winning team that is dedicated to pushing the standards of excellence.
This position plays a key role in helping DGS/DPS achieve its goals by:
Developing Training & Guidance: Providing training and resources to agencies, public bodies, and suppliers to improve overall procurement practices.
Managing Contract Disputes & Performance: Resolving contract disputes between contractors and DGS/DPS (or other public entities) and overseeing a program to evaluate supplier performance.
Building Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with stakeholders to create innovative relationships with suppliers, ensuring the Commonwealth acquires high-quality goods and services efficiently.
This role may involve occasional day trips to public bodies, supplier locations, and training events to achieve these objectives.
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Supplier Management and Development:
• Develop, train, and guide suppliers to fulfill DGS/DPS and Commonwealth procurement needs.
• Develop and contribute to governance policies, procedures, and tools that empower contracting officers to build and implement supplier strategies for their spending categories.
• Assist in identifying, onboarding, and broadening the range of qualified, diverse vendors to meet DGS/DPS needs.
• Develop and host supplier information events, and attend similar events across the state, to increase supplier participation in sourcing opportunities and partnerships with the Commonwealth.
• Develop real-time market intelligence to assess suppliers, identify cost savings and business impact opportunities, and introduce innovative
Supplier Performance and Dispute Resolution:
• Manage all activities related to resolving contract disputes between DGS/DPS and contractors, including suggesting debarment when necessary. Additionally, assist with disputes arising from other state entities under DPS procurement authority.
• Develop and manage a program for assessing, utilizing, and evaluating the quantitative and qualitative performance of key strategic suppliers.
• Consolidate dispute and resolution data into a user-friendly format, enabling contracting officers to generate comprehensive contractor performance reports.
Procurement Expertise and Value:
• Deliver formal and informal training sessions on the Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA), Agency Procurement and Surplus Property Manual (APSPM), and Vendor's Manual, equipping public entities and suppliers with knowledge on contract dispute resolution processes.
• Provide instructional training support for the Virginia Institute of Procurement (VIP) programs, helping public procurement professionals develop their expertise.
• Collaborate with Statewide Strategic Contracting Officers to build innovative relationships with suppliers. These partnerships will enable the Commonwealth and its public bodies to efficiently acquire essential high-quality products and services.
• Recommend and work towards implementing processes for the ongoing evaluation of supplier performance. This will ensure the Commonwealth receives the best value from its partnerships.
• Collaborate with strategic suppliers, contracting officers, and public entities to maximize value and minimize risk in delivering goods and services. This includes actively seeking cost reductions, exploring innovative solutions, and ensuring the highest quality across all aspects of procurement for Commonwealth public bodies.
• Develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with strategic suppliers and contracting officers. These partnerships will focus on creating value, reducing costs, and mitigating risks for the Commonwealth.
Strategic Partnerships:
• Build strong working relationships with public body leadership, strategic business partners, and public entities (including other states, local governments, and higher education institutions) to achieve program goals.
• Assume supervisory or team leadership duties, guiding and supporting others in achieving successful procurement outcomes
Public Procurement Forum: Supplier Connect
• Oversee all aspects of the Procurement Forum Supplier Connect, including planning, vendor participation, and execution for the annual Public Procurement Forum event.
This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule (telework 2 days/week).

Minimum Qualifications

Procurement Expertise:
• Proficient knowledge of state procurement laws, contract laws, state procurement procedures, and contract administration.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of best practice contract management and administration principles.
• Demonstrated ability to develop internal procurement policies and procedures to further develop the Supplier Relationship Management program.
• Interpret & Analyze: Expertly interpret complex procurement specifications, ensuring all requirements are clearly understood.
• Contract Negotiation: Strong negotiation skills to negotiate highly technical contracts, securing favorable terms for the Commonwealth and the supplier to support the Supplier Relationship Management Process.
Supplier & Stakeholder Management:
• Liaison Professional: Act as a trusted intermediary between suppliers and public entities, fostering open communication.
• Experience working with suppliers and contracting officers to resolve complaints and issues in the procurement of goods, services, and/or construction.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills:
• Effective Communicator: Maintain strong written and verbal communication skills to convey information across public entities and with external partners (suppliers).
• Interpersonal Skills: Build and maintain positive relationships with suppliers, public entities, and colleagues fostering a culture of teamwork and building trust.
Analytical Expertise:
• Research & Analysis: Proven ability to thoroughly research, analyze, and evaluate procurement issues, highly technical contracts, and market trends, making informed recommendations and decisions
Software Proficiency:
• Software Professional: Requires substantial use of Microsoft Office Suite Word and Excel; communication platforms (Teams, Zoom); document management (Adobe); and procurement software (eVA) to efficiently and effectively support the Supplier Relationship Management Process.
Learning Acumen:
• Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO) is required or must be obtained within one year of hire.

Additional Considerations

Certification as a VCO, VCM, VCCO, CPPO, CPPB, CPSM, and/or C. P. M is highly desirable.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Notice: DGS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
Sponsorship will not be provided for this position now or in the future. Confirmation of eligibility to work will be required at time of hire.
The selected candidate must pass a criminal background check. 

Applicants that indicate they have preferential hiring rights in the form of a yellow form or blue card must submit these to our office prior to the closing of the posting, in accordance with DHRM policy 1.30. Please note that only current and former employees of the Commonwealth of Virginia that will be or have been laid off are eligible for preferential hiring rights.
Fax, e-mail, or mail applications will not be accepted. The online State application must contain all required information and fully respond to the questions to be considered for this job opportunity.
For assistance or computer access, please visit your local Virginia Employment Office or contact our office at jobs@dgs.virginia.gov or call 804-786-3910.
Applications will be accepted until a suitable pool of candidates is received. After 5 business days, this position may be closed at any time.
The Virginia Department of General Services is an equal opportunity employer. Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and individuals with AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service experience are encouraged to apply.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Contact Information

Name: Department of General Services

Phone: 804-786-3910

Email: Jobs@DGS.VIRGINIA.GOV