Assistant Chief of Purchasing

Summary

This posting will close on August 27, 2024; with a best consideration date of July 23, 2024.

Hiring Range:  $79,015.51 - $88,813.43; commensurate with experience.

Charles County Government's Fiscal & Administrative Services Department is currently recruiting for an Assistant Chief of Purchasing to perform specialized procurement and related work for the Purchasing Division, involving the purchasing of large dollar cost or more complex goods and services. Other duties include: Serves as a technical resource to staff regarding purchasing and assists the Chief of Purchasing in designated areas of purchasing management. Overall goals are set, and the worker determines the specific tasks and assignments to be performed, independently handling new, unusual problems and deviations encountered in the work. Supervises several junior level and administrative staff.

Essential Job Functions

• Executes a wide variety of standard and nonstandard purchases in accordance with established procedures and policies.
• Develops and prepares all levels of formal and informal procurements for projects, to include solicitation, instructions, specifications, scope of services, special conditions, general conditions, proposal/bid forms, evaluation procedures and criteria, and other associated tasks.
• Represents Purchasing on inter-agency committees and develops and assists other government entities in the development and preparation of bid documents.
• Develops procedures, processes, and writes manuals and directives as directed.
• Ensures County procurement is completed in accordance with all applicable County, State, and/or Federal rules and regulations.
• Serves as a Purchasing representative in the Charles County Emergency Operations Center, when activated.
• Acts for Chief of Purchasing in his/her absence.
• Supervise junior level and administrative staff. Recruits, trains, and conducts performance appraisals for purchasing staff responsible for supervising.
• Administers, enforces, instructs staff and stakeholders on proper County Purchasing Rules and Regulations, in the purchase goods and services through various procurement methods including but not limited to information, formal solicitations, emergency, utilization of other government contracts (piggyback), sole source, purchasing cards, etc.
• Administers, reviews, approves, and/or routes purchase order requests in accordance with the established delegated authority. Works with staff to resolve discrepancies. Utilizes the financial software system to facilitate the procurement process for actions such as generating and modifying requisitions and purchase orders, adding new vendors, etc.
• Ensures compliance with prevailing wage regulations and applicable socio-economic programs. Completes timely vendor debrief requests, etc. Assists with public information act requests as directed.
• Provides guidance and direction to vendors/contractors and County personnel to meet County procurement requirements. Meets with company representatives to furnish information on procurement needs and, on the nature, quality, and required condition of the items or services requested. Ensures fair and impartial treatment of vendors/companies.
• Develops and facilitates periodic procurement training for staff and vendors.
• Report to other County sites, when needed.
• Manages Purchasing webpage(s) including content and design.
• Maintains records and documentation necessary to support operations of the division/department.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or related area. Five (5) years of experience in governmental purchasing, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training. Supervision and governmental or non-profit entity procurement experience preferred.

Licenses or Certifications:

Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) or Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) preferred but not required.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

Work is subject to inflexible deadlines. 

Work may be required after hours and on weekends.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of the concepts, methods, and procedures of purchasing goods and services in accordance with County procurement regulations.
• Knowledge of effective methods and techniques of procuring large dollar cost and complex procurement.
• Ability to execute large dollar cost and complex procurement.
• Ability to locate sources of supply and obtain and evaluate vendor quotes.
• Ability to apply and explain formal procurement rules and procedures to the purchase of goods and services.
• Ability to advise end users regarding products, sources of supply and procurement procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others encountered in the work.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is sedentary with frequent periods of light physical activity and is performed in office surroundings. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects; and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards. The work requires the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office environment.

Department/Division:      Fiscal and Administrative Services/Purchasing

Pay Grade:                         117

FLSA Status:                      Exempt

Telework Eligible:              Yes

Reports to:                          Chief of Purchasing. 

Supervises:                         Procurement Specialists and Office Associate III

Agency:

Charles County Government

Department:

Fiscal & Administrative Services

Address:

200 Baltimore Street

La Plata, Maryland, 20646