Director of Purchasing and Contracts

The next Director of Purchasing and Contracts will join EMWD at a time of significant opportunity to build upon an established operation while continuing to modernize systems, strengthen staff capabilities, and deepening engagement with the vendor community.

-A major priority will be advancing the implementation and optimization of Workday Strategic Sourcing and Contract Lifecycle Management. The Director will have the opportunity to strengthen procurement and contracting workflows, improve reporting and visibility, and make greater use of technology, analytics, and performance measures to support consistency, efficiency, and informed decision-making.

-The Department is continuing to strengthen how contracts are developed, administered, monitored, and renewed. The incoming Director will provide leadership in advancing contract life-cycle management and overseeing complex, interagency, professional services, and non-standard agreements while balancing legal compliance, operational needs, risk, and value.

-The Warehouse is an important operational support function serving District-wide needs. The next Director can build upon ongoing efforts to improve inventory visibility, reporting, storage practices, and asset tracking, including the current pipe yard optimization study and evaluation of enhanced tool-management technology.

-EMWD is committed to maintaining constructive, transparent relationships with vendors and contractors. The next Director will have an opportunity to strengthen how procurement requirements are communicated by helping staff explain not only what District policies require, but the reasoning behind those requirements. Clearer, more educational communication can help vendors better understand EMWD’s processes and support stronger long‑term engagement with the vendor community.

The Director will also be expected to build upon existing outreach efforts and broaden awareness of how to do business with EMWD. Recent initiatives have included participation in regional supplier outreach events and Small Business Development Center workshops, providing a foundation for reaching a broader vendor base and encouraging greater competition.

-EMWD has been updating its procurement framework, including Administrative Code provisions affecting quotation thresholds, approval authority, and professional services. The next Director will help implement these changes thoughtfully while ensuring that staff, vendors, and contractors understand how updated requirements should be applied in practice.

-The Department includes experienced employees with considerable institutional knowledge. The next Director will have an important opportunity to strengthen bench depth through mentoring, cross‑training, professional development, and succession planning while preserving practices that are working well and continuing to raise performance expectations.

-The Department already uses meaningful operational and service measures, providing a strong foundation for the next Director to further refine performance reporting, identify trends, improve service levels, and demonstrate the value of procurement, contracting, and warehouse operations across EMWD.

Recognized as a leader in the water industry throughout California and nationally, Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) provides water, wastewater, and recycled water services to nearly one million customers living and working within a 682-square-mile…