Lead Procurement Specialist

Job Title and Location

Lead Procurement Specialist – Zachry Group – San Antonio, TX
Salary: $ - $

The Lead Procurement Specialist is responsible for medium and high critical materials, equipment, and subcontracts sourcing events. Expectation is “expert‑level” knowledge on procurement‑related processes and procedures. A Lead Procurement Specialist is expected to lead small groups and substitute in place of the Project Procurement Manager (PPM), performing and carrying out PPM related responsibilities. Additionally, a Lead Procurement Specialist should develop negotiating strategies, assign work, oversee and mentor less‑tenured peers (e.g., Procurement Coordinator I and II).

The role also covers sourcing activities for estimating support on projects in the Deal Development phase and procurement execution activities during the project life cycle from RFP solicitation through the Award phase. The Lead Procurement Specialist must be proficient in performing commercial analysis of bidders’ proposals, writing and submitting award recommendations, and conducting bidder conferences. Responsibilities include engaging and maintaining supplier relationships on awarded contracts, communicating with key internal and external stakeholders, and maintaining overall transparency with the Project Management Team (PMT).

• Focus on contract life‑cycle management and administration, and overall supplier management and relationship building.
• Primary responsibility for establishing core contract management processes and contract content to monitor and manage contract compliance.
• Participate in procurement project management teams to support contract compliance.
• Identify issues, propose solutions, provide negotiation support, and resolve contractual issues.
• Advise in Master Agreement Program Contract development.
• Participate in Deal Development and support estimating efforts, including issuing Requests for Information (RFI’s).
• Lead procurement execution for medium to high criticality sourcing events, commensurate with level of procurement experience.
• Conduct research and develop sourcing strategies for assigned items.
• Develop supplier lists and issue RFP packages, and RFP amendments accordingly, for various medium to high criticality/complex equipment, material and services at best value to Zachry.
• Develop performance‑based scopes of work and understand specifications & drawing packages.
• Develop negotiating strategies.
• Conduct bidder conferences and coordinate discussions between bidders and technical personnel.
• Perform evaluation of proposals and conduct supplier negotiations.
• Write supplier recommendations that explain and support the source selection process and decision.
• Understand terms and conditions and contract formation.
• Negotiate award of contracts to suppliers.
• Support contract administration and subcontract management.
• Participate in supplier and subcontractor kick‑off meetings.
• Participate in supplier and subcontractor close‑out meetings.
• Scope and negotiate contract change orders and amendments.
• Participate in weekly procurement meetings.
• Lead and provide partial supervision to teams, such as assigning work, overseeing Level 1 and Level 2 activities, and providing backup support to the Project Procurement Manager.
• Mentorship role to team and other procurement personnel.
• Manage work in a fast‑paced environment, focused on complex, higher profile technical items.
• Provide support to other procurement personnel as needed.
• Maintain knowledge of procurement processes and procedures and execute in accordance with Zachry’s standard operating procedures.
• Maintain knowledge of Oracle, Dragnet, PPMS, and other job‑specific IT support systems.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, engineers, construction and key stakeholders.

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum 5‑7 years of related experience.
• Ability to work independently, think and plan ahead, and bring issues to the attention of management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Productivity tools (Office 365, SharePoint, Teams, etc.).
• Experience creating document templates and workflows in industry digital document approval platforms like…