This is the highest level in the State Procurement Series. It is the managerial level requiring expert technical and administrative management needed to manage two or more centralized programs dealing with statewide contracting and procurement activities. Positions in this class are responsible for planning, organizing, staffing and coordinating multiple programs and administering the budgetary and fiscal responsibilities needed for their support. Unlike State Procurement Supervisors, positions in this class have more complex administrative duties, have authority to modify or change recommendations, and greatly influence the methodology used in all areas of goods and services procurement.

Complexity of Work: The work is of unusual difficulty and involves overseeing the daily inspection, quality control, specification writing, expediting, contracting and guidance provided to all state agencies. Setting unit goals and objectives, developing implementation plans, evaluating subordinate units progress, formulating budgets, supervising personnel and solving non-routine problems related to vendors, procurement methods, specifications, policy, contract administration and compliance are among the managerial duties discharged. Reviewing and approving informational input from units, developing and writing policies and procedures for inclusion in the agency and vendor procurement manuals are performed to provide statewide guidance. Advice and guidance through personal contact is provided to state and local agencies in areas of expertise to insure correct interpretation of policy and procedures. Approval authority is typically exercised over items such as consolidated or centralized service contracts, scheduled procurements, and suspensions from vendor’s lists to insure proper review of subordinates recommendations. The class personally conducts ongoing training for state and agency purchasing staffs, reviews subordinate training presentations and recommends training changes to insure consistency of application. In addition to investigating non-routine and complex problems, assigns personnel to teams auditing agency operations. May also meet and speak to business groups such as Chambers of Commerce and small business representatives to increase vendor base. Performs special projects as assigned.

Supervision Given: Positions in this class supervise, evaluate, and review the work of State Procurement Supervisors.

Supervision Received: Receives general direction from the Director or Assistant Director of Purchases and Supply.

Scope: The class has major statewide affect on multiple procurement actions and exercises particular control over large scale buys and contracts.

Impact of Actions: Serious financial and budgetary problems resulting in legal actions against the state can result from procurement decisions. Relations with vendors and agency can also be affected to a significant degree.

Personal Contacts: Contacts with executive level persons both within and outside the agency are routine.

Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state and local procurement laws, regulations and practices. Comprehensive knowledge of procurement and contract practices and procedures. Considerable knowledge of material management and marketing operations. Considerable knowledge of administration, organization and management practices and procedures.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to communicate both orally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to supervise a large staff. Demonstrated ability to understand and interpret numerous and diverse laws and regulations. Demonstrated ability to analyze and evaluate information and make decisions.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from a college or university with a degree in business administration, finance, marketing or related field.

Level and Type of Experience: Progressive experience as a buyer and procurement supervisor of a major purchase office either in government or industry.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this training and experience.

This is the highest class in a series designed to function in a centralized state agency having responsibility for statewide procurement, storage, distribution, regulation and materials handling activities. The class replaces the agency’s past usage of generic classes that did not adequately explain the statewide role.