Relocation Assistance and Great Benefits Are you prepared to enact meaningful change in the Ocean State? Do you possess seasoned leadership in procurement and purchasing? A Rhode Island State Agency has teamed up with Cogent Infotech to find their next Procurement Director. The State is looking for a talented individual like you to lead purchasing efforts. As Purchasing Director, you’ll play a crucial role in overseeing and optimizing the States procurement process, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness in government operations. With a steadfast commitment to excellence and service, this role affords you a unique opportunity to facilitate government operations across various departments and disciplines. As an employer of choice, they foster an inclusive work environment where your talents and ideas are valued. Whether you’re a long-standing public servant or seeking new challenges, join to become part of the dynamic team dedicated to shaping the future of the state. General Statement of Duties:

• Responsible for performing strategic procurement activities across various spend categories, aiming to find better deals and more profitable suppliers. Analyze market trends, forecast demand, and mitigate risks to optimize the procurement process.

• Lead state purchasing activities in the public interest; to plan, organize and direct the activities of the Division of Purchases engaged in contracting and purchasing supplies, materials, equipment, and services required by departments and agencies of state government, also to represent the administration in procurement transactions and other related special projects; and to do related work as required.

• Works under the administrative supervision of the Director of Administration from whom statements of policy are received, consults with Legal Services on important interpretations of rules regulations and law and on major revisions of the state’s purchasing program and systems.

• Plans, directs and reviews the work of the staff of the Division of Purchases.

  Department Overview:

• Leads procurement policy and operations in the state

• Oversees 33 staff members in the Division of Purchases

• Manages all executive branch procurements for over 20 state agencies

• Establishes contracts, processes change orders, and registers vendors

• Facilitates approximately 400 competitive solicitations worth over $1 billion, 250 Master Price Agreements, 15,000 contracts, and 1,500 change orders annually, and registers 500 - 1,000 vendors

• Develops, leads and executes purchasing strategies

• Track and report key functional metrics to reduce expenses and improve effectiveness

• Craft negotiation strategies and close deals with optimal terms

• Partner with stakeholders to ensure clear requirements documentation

• Forecast price and market trends to identify changes of balance in buyer-supplier power

• Perform cost and scenario analysis, and benchmarking

• Assess, manage and mitigate risks

• Seek and partner with reliable vendors and suppliers

• Determine quantity and timing of deliveries

• Monitor and forecast upcoming levels of demand

  Examples of Work Performed:

• To apply expertise in public procurement principles, methods and techniques in the formulation and implementation of regulation, policy and procedures within the Division of Purchases and for the State.

• To oversee the solicitation process for goods and services and to manage qualified vendor lists/cooperative agreements and other procurement methodologies the state employs.

• To serve as senior advisor to the Director on public procurement.

• Independently explore new business practice opportunities and anticipate future organizational and mission needs towards achieving positive gains for the State.

• To propose the delegation of authority of purchasing to agencies and division as appropriate.

• Manage systems, data and procedures to be used in purchasing processes such as, requisitions, purchase orders, bid invitations, bid awards and inventory systems.

• Administer the standards and specifications programs, inspection and follow-up services of the office.

• Coordinate with other DOA divisions such as Information Technology, Budget, Capital Management and Legal, to provide a statewide strategy for the delivery of goods and services that deliver the best value.

  Requirements and skills

• Proven working experience as Purchasing Manager, Agent or Officer

• Thorough knowledge of public procurement principles, practices, and procedures

• Ability to plan, organize, and direct staff work

• Ability to prepare complex reports and provide analysis

• Knowledge of public administration principles as applied to governmental operations

• Familiarity with sourcing and vendor management

• Working experience of vendor management and purchasing software, i.e. SpendMap, Workday

  Education and Experience : Graduation from a college of recognized standing with specialization in a field such as business, public administration, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, quantitative methods, or organization and management. Employment in a highly responsible administrative capacity which required direction of a staff engaged in public procurement. Or any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience. Annual Salary: $161,879 – $178,852 Scheduled Work: Monday : Friday; 8:30am to 4:00pm