Assistant Purchasing Manager

The City is seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to lead its citywide purchasing program and help shape how the organization strategically manages public resources. This role combines procurement expertise, leadership, and collaboration, with the opportunity to develop innovative purchasing strategies, strengthen vendor partnerships, improve processes, and advise departments on complex solicitations and contracts. If you’re a strategic procurement professional who enjoys solving problems, building relationships, and making an organization-wide impact, we invite you to apply.

Essential Job Functions

• Interprets, modifies and administers the city’s purchasing and contracts ordinance and administrative policy for all city departments and personnel to achieve compliance, uniformity, and credibility in all city procurement activities.
• Develops procurement strategies for the implementation of effective citywide contracts to maximize the value of budgeted tax dollars through consolidated/volume buying methods.
• Researches purchasing practices, trends and policies and oversees the development of improved methods that enhance the purchasing, supply and purchase order administration functions.
• Advises and assists other city staff with the development and review of solicitation methods.
• Advises, assists, and collaborates with appointing authorities on the administrative procedures and rules for quality and fiscal control of the procurement process.
• Assists in dispute resolution of bid protests and contract claims.
• Studies and standardizes procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness where appropriate.
• Reviews and approves all electronic purchase order documents.
• Manages the program’s administration and support of the City’s ERP, purchasing module including development, training, support, and maintenance.
• Reviews proposed citywide goods/services contracts to assure compliance with the city’s purchasing and contracts ordinance.
• Reviews Request for Bid, Request for Proposals, and other related documents to evaluate the effectiveness of the method/approach, and for possible enhancements/modifications.
• Develops Request for Bid/Proposal solicitations and related documents for complex issues.
• Reviews and approves sole source, single source and emergency purchase justification. Identifies whether additional information is required. Provides recommendations when required, for city manager approval.
• Ensures service and construction contracts contain performance measures, manages renewal process including documenting compliance with stated performance measures.
• Develops and fosters relationships with city departments to ensure departmental needs are met while ensuring best practices and compliance.
• Develops and maintains vendor relationships for positive business partnering in accordance with the purchasing ordinance.
• Manages and oversees the City's Central Stores operation.
• Oversees day-to day leadership activities, including effectively communicate vision and priorities, makes decisions and problem solves, delegates work, manages performance, hires, manage resources, develops others, and maintains a team culture to produce strong performance and positive employee and community member experiences.
• Travels to and attends team and organizational meetings, training, events and activities and appropriately and professionally represents the department.

Other Job Functions

• Functions as backup for Chief Financial Officer as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Supervisory Duties

• Develops and/or participates in the development of staff work plans, measures and tracks progress towards goals, prepares and conducts timely and constructive performance appraisals.
• Makes decisions or recommendations for hiring, promotions, transfers, disciplinary action, and other personnel actions as necessary.
• Coaches, counsels and supports staff to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. Consistently educates and advises staff on organizational rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Supports creative thinking and problem solving and encourages participatory decision making when appropriate.
• Provides training and job enrichment opportunities and encourages professional growth and development.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• In-depth knowledge and experience in purchasing and procurement practices in the governmental and/or public sector.
• Intermediate level computer skills.
• Ability to problem-solve and work well with teams.
• Ability to communicate with vendors and the public in support of establishing positive community and business relationships.
• Ability to effectively communicate information, both verbally and in writing, to support organizational objectives and interact with all levels of personnel within the city in a positive and cooperative manner..

Education Degree

• Bachelors Degree (BA, BS, BBA)

Education Major

• Business or related field.

Education Required

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Work Experience Related

• Five (5) years’ experience in governmental/public sector purchasing.
• Three (3) or more years at a supervisory level.

Work Experience Preferred

• Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO)