Sr Procurement Specialist

Job Description

In this role, the individual will perform advanced (senior-level) IT sourcing work through the DIR Cooperative Contracts program supporting the mission critical functions of the agency’s IT procurements. Opportunities also include work coordinating sourcing for large scope, high-dollar, and/or multi‑award contracts by defining requirements and developing, evaluating, and documenting process improvements, and developing guidelines, policies, and procedures. Duties include sourcing IT commodities and equipment of a specialized or complex nature, including Information Technology related goods and services;

complying with current purchasing policies and regulations and ensuring state procurement procedures are followed. Additionally, this resource may perform prioritization of work streams and setting standards for achieving IT sourcing operational goals. This is an opportunity to work under limited direction from the Vendor Management and Sourcing Section Director with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

• Coordinates IT sourcing activities in accordance with agency policy, state laws and regulations through the DIR Cooperative Contracts program on behalf of the Vendor Management and Sourcing section.
• Follows departmental guidelines, policies, and procedures; develops schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving sourcing and vendor management program goals; ensures compliance with current procurement and contracting policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Prepares solicitation to include requirements for scope of work, specifications, and conditions for new contracts; oversees the distribution and receipt of quote requests to vendors. Reviews and analyzes bids and makes award recommendations to Vendor Management and Sourcing management and the TxDOT Procurement Division.
• Assists in providing customer consultation, evaluates customer requirements, and advises in the development of specifications to achieve optimal balance between best value and cost savings; includes conducting customer work groups to gather input for use in developing requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• 8+ years of experience in developing and implementing sourcing and vendor management processes, participating in and developing solicitations, managing procurement projects, interacting with business units and legal counsel, conducting vendor discussions, and developing and administering contracts.
• In‑depth knowledge of the state of Texas procurement laws, regulations, procedures, and contract management guidelines.
• Knowledge of purchasing methods and procedures, purchasing sources, prices, market factors, product characteristics, and technical specifications.
• Knowledge of negotiation strategies and techniques, of systems and procedures used to evaluate third‑party vendor performance; and of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to the administration of federal or state funds.
• Knowledge of sourcing and vendor management principles.
• Demonstrated skill in developing standard form contracts including the ability to select and apply the appropriate contract instrument for various acquisition strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively to individuals and groups; to prepare and make effective presentations in formal and informal settings, including the agency’s Directors.
• Demonstrated ability to perform vendor management.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to work on concurrent tasks while effectively prioritizing and coordinating work assignments.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively identify and execute next steps to reach resolution or complete tasks.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts and devise solutions to procurement and contract management challenges.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cordial working relationships at all organizational levels, including agency management, direct supervisors, co‑workers, internal and external customers.
• Ability to understand, follow and convey brief oral and/or written…