IT Purchasing Specialist​/Agency Internal

IT Purchasing Specialist

IT Vendor Management – Journey

This job posting is exclusively for current Department of Enterprise Services employees only. All other external applications will not be accepted at this time.

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides centralized business services to state government agencies, other public entities such as cities, counties and tribes, and Washington residents. DES’ mission is to strengthen the business of government for a sustainable and just future. Learn more about DES.

The Technology Services Division (TSD) plans, designs, procures, and develops, operates, and maintains a suite of systems that support the functions of DES and the State of Washington. These systems include contract management, public works, finance, leasing, fleet, parking, CMS, and more. The goal is to streamline state business processes and provide outstanding customer service while maintaining effective enterprise systems.

The IT Purchasing Specialist researches technology solutions to identify technology that best fits within the DES IT ecosystem. This role serves as the internal and external contact for acquired software and hardware solutions, overseeing contracts, contract management, purchasing, vendor, and asset management for TSD. The position establishes procedures and standards for IT vendor management, consistent with state and agency procurement and financial policies.

The specialist ensures all contracts with IT suppliers and vendors meet contractual commitments to DES by providing technical vendor direction on research, consultation, hardware procurement, system maintenance, and lifecycle management through the terms of the contract.

The selected internal incumbent plays a vital role in ensuring transparency in DES’s IT contracts and procurement spending, while maintaining compliance with licensing requirements through strategic negotiation and management of assigned contracts. The role researches and evaluates hardware, software, and cloud technologies, and provides recommendations for IT funding priorities that align with business strategy and fit within the agency architecture, security, and budget constraints.

The position assists in providing technical guidance to the DES IT Support Team and works directly with DES leadership. The position reports to the Vendor Management Manager within TSD.

• Primary point of contact
• Responsible for working with IT
• Responsible for the workflows and business processes for tracking and managing the work
• Engage all business stakeholders and subject matter experts
• Responsible for developing processes and workflows

• Manage vendor relationships
• Partner with small, diverse, and veteran‑owned businesses
• Analyze data to oversee vendor performance
• Review and update information technology software license renewals

• Evaluates business needs
• Identify shared solutions
• Manage requests
• Compare purchasing options and purchases
• Coordinate large IT procurements
• Produce complex reports in collaboration with finance and IT leadership

• Collaborate with TSD and DES programs
• Maintain thorough knowledge of the business
• Proactively solve conflicts and address issues
• Ensure delivery and services and product implementations align with agency objectives

Six years of experience in information technology such as business analysis, managing and procuring IT assets, and experience with developing and managing IT budgets. Experience with IT purchase reporting and managing IT SLAs. Work includes collaborating with IT, business units, and contract managers in identifying and evaluating technology services providers that are consistent with the organization’s business strategy and architecture.

Associate’s degree or completion of an accredited…