Procurement Officer Senior

Department:
Charlotte Area Transit System Department Salary: $85,288.00 - $ Commensurate with Experience Thank you for your interest in joining the team that keeps Charlotte moving, at a very exciting time for our organization. At the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community, and we value employees who bring professionalism, passion, and a commitment to public service.

This position is currently employed by CATS, a department of the City of Charlotte.

With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long‑term investment in mobility. It’s an important and exciting step forward for transit in our region.

Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service.

If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs.

The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come. We’re excited about what’s ahead and appreciate your interest in being part of it.

Under the general direction of the Transit Procurement Manager, the Senior Transit Procurement Supervisor provides strategic leadership and managerial oversight for all assigned procurement and contract administration functions. The position is responsible for supervising, developing, and evaluating procurement staff, ensuring operational excellence, and driving compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This leader oversees complex procurements in technology, construction, rolling stock, professional services, and engineering while guiding the organization on best‑practice purchasing strategies and risk‑aware decision‑making.

• Leads, supervises, and evaluates a team of procurement professionals, establishing clear performance expectations, goals, and development plans to maintain a high‑performing team.
• Provides coaching, mentorship, and technical guidance to procurement staff and internal customers, ensuring consistent application of procurement laws, policies, and procedures.
• Oversees workload distribution, prioritization, and resource allocation to support organizational goals and customer service standards.
• Directs the planning, development, and execution of complex solicitations, including ITBs, RFPs, and RFQs, ensuring strategic alignment with agency needs and regulatory compliance.
• Develops and implements procurement strategies for major capital projects, ensuring that funding requirements and restrictions are met.
• Provides executive‑level recommendations on procurement approaches, market conditions, contract terms, and opportunities to achieve cost savings and operational efficiency.
• Oversees development, interpretation, and enforcement of procurement policies and procedures; recommends updates to ensure continuous improvement and regulatory adherence.
• Ensures all procurement actions and contracts protect the agency’s interests and comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including FTA guidelines.
• Conducts quality control reviews of procurement documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and professional standards.
• Directs administration of high‑value and high‑visibility contracts including performance oversight, compliance monitoring, amendments, closeouts, and dispute resolution.
• Leads complex negotiations, cost and price analysis, and evaluations, serving as senior reviewer and final…