Manatee County, FL – Purchasing Official

General Information
Highly responsible supervisory position tasked with overseeing technical procurements requiring advanced knowledge of policies, business practices, methods, and procedures. Reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer. Coordinates and supervises the work of purchasing staff, including providing training, instruction, and guidance. Communicates with vendors and contractors regarding formal solicitations, including RFQ, RFP, RSQ, RPI, ITB, and ITN, and coordinates efforts with internal team members.

Note: This position has been designated by the Manatee County Commission as serving at the will and pleasure of the County Administrator. Employees so designated may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

Working Conditions
Ability to communicate effectively using verbal, written and visual communication.

Essential Functions
These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

Supervises, mentors, and trains team members. Identifies and resolves problems and provides high-level technical staff assistance in related activities of the purchasing function.

Assigns and delegates daily tasks to team members as appropriate.

Executes RFI’s to learn capabilities of vendors and contractors, in order to determine suitability for the county.

Responsibility for forecasting, planning, organizing, and directing the purchasing activity including, but not limited to, preparing solicitation packages, supplier selection, price negotiations, contract development, supplier on-boarding, supplier management and building strong stakeholder relationships.

Monitors and evaluates contracting vendors performance to ensure compliance with contracts/agreement and law.

Researches and develops specifications, scope of work, contractual terms and conditions, bid forms, drawings and contracts.

Coordinates procurement of a variety of projects to include commodities, services, and construction projects for multiple County departments within policy guidelines and in conformance with applicable statutes, ordinances and regulations.

Reviews and finalizes specifications for bid document incorporation; attends pre-bids, bid openings, reviews, tabulates, and analyzes bids; reviews bids with department personnel to determine the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

Performs other related work (including weather or other extreme emergency duties) as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration or a related field, with a minimum of four (4) years’ experience in a purchasing, procurement, materials management, contract administration or logistics management position.

Minimum of two (2) years management or supervisory experience in the large-scale procurement of supplies, services or construction in government procurement.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Valid driver’s license required with valid Florida driver license required within 30 days of hire.

Supplemental Information
Current or previous certification as a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO), Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.), Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP), or closely related certification is preferred. Candidates without a certification shall be required to obtain one of the certifications listed above within two (2) years of date of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of local government purchasing methods, practices, standards, and terminology.

Knowledge of competitive bidding, solicitation, and contract award procedures.

Knowledge of Florida ordinances, statutes, administrative rules, and regulations governing public procurement.

Ability to interact with vendors in a professional, effective, and impartial manner.

Ability to assess purchasing operations, identify deficiencies, and recommend process improvements.

Ability to administer, monitor, and enforce a purchasing card program.

Ability to plan, assign, oversee, and evaluate the work of clerical and professional procurement staff.

Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare clear oral and written reports.

Skill in establishing and sustaining effective working relationships with department leadership, staff, and vendors.

Comprehensive knowledge of procurement practices in public or private sectors, including vendor sourcing, market analysis, pricing methodologies, bid development, contract administration, and pricing agreements.

Demonstrated ability to exercise independent, objective judgment in procurement recommendations and decisions.

Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply contractual language, with particular emphasis on construction contracts.

Demonstrated ability to prepare, review, and evaluate bid and proposal documents for compliance with applicable policies, procedures, terms, and legal requirements.

Ability to lead, mentor, and train procurement staff to ensure consistency, compliance, and professional development.