Purchasing and Contracting Manager

Position Summary

This vacancy is with the Finance department on the Strategic service team. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department or County. The ideal candidate will collaboratively lead, organize, and continuously improve a relationship-centered purchasing and contracting function for Ramsey County. Serving as a subject matter expert, they will work closely with Division leadership to foster a strategic and productive work environment that supports both team success and broader organizational goals.

Key responsibilities include overseeing all aspects of procurement including solicitations, evaluations, contract development, and ensuring compliance with county policies and regulatory standards. The role demands extensive expert experience in drafting and publishing solicitations and complex contracts across a wide range of categories, including construction, information technology, client services, professional services, supplies, equipment, materials, and labor. The candidate will manage a team of seven professionals, providing mentorship and training in procurement practices and contract writing.

Strong policy development skills and a deep understanding of county governance and authority structures are essential.

• Facilitates pre-proposal conferences.
• Manages one of three county purchasing and contracting functions.
• Collaboratively plans, organizes, manages, and improves a relationship-focused purchasing and contracting function.
• Acts as a subject matter expert and supports Division leadership.
• Ensures compliance with regulatory standards and business needs.
• Develops and maintains purchasing and contracting portfolios with a 3‑year roadmap.
• Provides internal audits and ensures records meet audit requirements.
• Collaborates with various county offices such as County Attorney’s office, Risk Management, and others.
• Designs and delivers comprehensive internal training programs.
• Provides cost‑effective procurement advice for materials, supplies, equipment, space, and services.
• Forecasts staff needs based on workload and projected volumes.

• Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
• Develop and continually improve purchasing policies and procedures.
• Partner with other Division leaders and county offices to support an efficient purchasing system.
• Design, implement, and monitor a comprehensive internal training program.
• Provide cost‑effective procurement advice for materials, supplies, equipment, space, and services.
• Forecast staffing needs for the team based on workload.

• Act as main point‑of‑contact for business owners and representatives, establishing strategic relationships.
• Partner with business owners to develop solicitations and execute purchasing and contracting processes.
• Maintain purchasing and contracting portfolios with a 3‑year roadmap.
• Engage community stakeholders as needed throughout the procurement process.
• Support full contracting life cycle and collaborate with the Contract Administration Team (CAT) to track contracts and vendor data.
• Manage communication and external postings, including website management.
• Facilitate cross‑functional collaboration to deliver training content.
• Perform internal audits to meet audit requirements.

• Collaborate with business representatives to manage the solicitation process from posting through selection and contracts.
• Create draft and final solicitations for approval.
• Serve as main point‑of‑contact for contractors during sourcing and contracting.
• Review, advise, and approve cooperative/state contracts.
• Draft and finalize contracts and amendments.
• Collaborate with communications and business personnel on social media campaigns and community ads.
• Facilitate pre‑proposal conferences.
• Collaborate across functions to develop training content.

• Main point‑of‑contact for contractors post‑execution.
• Provide contractor orientation with business personnel.
• Track contracts to ensure renewals, amendments, or closures.
• Administer…