What are the responsibilities and job description for the Procurement Director position at County of Bucks?
Job Title: Purchasing Director
Department: Purchasing
POSITION SUMMARY: The Procurement Director provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the County’s centralized procurement and purchasing functions. Serving as the County’s chief procurement official and agent of the Board of Commissioners, the Director is responsible for establishing procurement policy, ensuring legal compliance, promoting ethical and transparent practices, and advancing strategic sourcing initiatives that maximize value and fiscal stewardship.
The Director oversees procurement operations through the Deputy Procurement Director and other assigned staff, ensuring alignment with County objectives, statutory requirements, and industry best practices. The position exercises considerable independent judgment in managing high-volume, high-value procurements and in advising executive leadership and the Board of Commissioners on procurement matters.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Provides strategic leadership and oversight of the County’s centralized procurement function, including purchasing, contracting, and cooperative purchasing activities.
• Serves as the County’s chief procurement official and authorized agent of the Board of Commissioners for all procurement matters.
• Establishes, interprets, and enforces procurement policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Recommends procurement awards to the Board of Commissioners and provides formal presentations and/or analysis as required.
• Exercises final approval authority for contracts and procurement actions within delegated limits.
• Directs long-term procurement planning, strategic sourcing initiatives, and cost-containment strategies.
• Oversees procurement operations through the Deputy Procurement Director, ensuring effective supervision, performance management, and professional development of staff.
• Ensures integrity, transparency, and ethical standards in all procurement activities.
• Evaluates procurement performance metrics and organizational effectiveness and implements continuous improvement strategies.
• Provides executive-level guidance to County departments regarding complex or high-risk procurements.
• Represents the County in cooperative purchasing organizations, professional associations, and intergovernmental initiatives, including participation in the Pennsylvania Public Purchasing Association (PAPPA), the Southeastern Pennsylvania Counties Cooperative Purchasing Board (SPCCPB), and other relevant organizations.
• Oversees mailroom and printing & reproduction operation.
• Advises the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and other County leadership on procurement risk, market conditions, and regulatory developments that impact procurement strategy.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Any combination of experience and training which affords the applicant an opportunity to gain the above listed knowledge, skill and ability.
• Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Supply Chain Management, or related field, or equivalent experience; Master’s Degree preferred.
• Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible public-sector procurement experience, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory or management capacity.
• Professional certification such as CPPO, CPPB, NIGP-CPP, or equivalent is strongly preferred.
• Experience advising executive leadership or governing boards preferred.
MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Extensive knowledge of public procurement law, competitive solicitation processes, and contract administration.
• Strong executive leadership and organizational management skills.
• Ability to develop policy and implement internal controls in a public-sector environment.
• Ability to present complex procurement matters to governing bodies and executive leadership.
• Strong analytical and strategic planning capabilities.
• High ethical standards and demonstrated commitment to public accountability.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across departments and with external partners.
• Ability to manage change, organizational development, and process improvement initiatives
County of Bucks job listing link: https://www.buckscounty.gov/jobs.aspx