Job Description for Procurement Specialist

Specialist confirms agency purchasing needs and contract requirements through standards committees, questionnaires and other contacts with agencies; establishes effective working relations with vendors to determine industry capabilities, potential vendors, bidding conventions, market conditions and other information for preparing requests for bids or proposals; ensures bid and proposal documents are responsive to agency needs, good purchasing policy and industry conditions; provides basic guidance to agencies and vendors on the procurement process; and resolves vendor/agency complaints with assistance. Additionally, this position reviews requests for purchasing approval and prepares analysis and case letters; assists in monitoring state agency purchasing activity; participates on an audit team and may draft audit reports; and suggests policies to govern the procurement of commodities/services in assigned areas. Positions at this level are assigned commodities which require technical knowledge, the pursuit of new bidding strategies to address changing market conditions or agency needs, and the development and implementation of policies in assigned commodity areas. The work is performed under general supervision. The objective level specialist is familiar with assigned commodity/service areas and develops, conducts and awards bids and/or requests for proposals; works independently, recognizes bid flaws and corrects them; develops new or redesigns existing bulletins and recognizes required modifications to maximize effectiveness; responds knowledgeably to agency requests for contract information; and monitors contractor performance and assures compliance with contract requirements. Additionally, the specialist independently reviews requests for purchasing approval; is responsible for working independently on significant portions of an agency audit; may prepare draft audit reports; and develops and implements policies to govern the procurement of commodities/services in assigned areas by state agencies to improve purchasing efficiency and achieve statutory and policy goals.