Director of Procurement & Contracts DBLO

In this role, you will serve as the agency’s Procurement and Contracting Officer, responsible for the procurement of $500 million annually, management of $2 million in parts inventory, project control of capital and large projects, and SBE/DBE functions.  You will translate the agency’s strategic vision, mission, goals, and priorities into a procurement program strategy to support operations and ensure financial stewardship of public funds.  You will work closely with the executive team to promote best practices in public procurement, and partner with regional organizations to build SBE/DBE participation as part of the agency’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy.

You will also serve as the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Liaison Officer (DBELO) for the agency.  Per FTA regulations, you will liaise with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and local partners to support the SBE/DBE program that assures federal funding for the agency.

Strategy, Planning and Management

Develop the division’s future vision and strategy.  Plan, organize, and staff the division.  Direct, coordinate, oversee, evaluate, coach and mentor direct reports.  Manage existing and potential vendor relationships.

Policies and Procedures

Develop, implement, and manage agency-wide policies and procedures for the administration of contracts valued at over $500 million.  Deliver strategic procurement, contracting, inventory management, and SBE/DBE programs.  Conduct risk and opportunity analysis of contract strategies.

Ensure compliance with the agency’s ethics policy in procurement activities.  Manage & control business processes by creating and maintaining the agency’s Procurement and SBE/DBE Manuals.  Perform policy and procedure compliance control and management through utilization of the agency’s systems for financial management, inventory management, public-facing contract awards, and DBE contract monitoring.

Procurement & Contracting

Provide oversight and direction for procurement, including contract scope, terms & conditions, negotiation, price agreements, ethics, and risk opportunity analysis, and administering complex contracts working with legal counsel.  Lead resolution of contract disputes.  Recommend or approve contract termination action.  Manage vendor performance reviews.  Prepare award recommendations and resolutions for Board approval.

Encourage internal and external stakeholders with strategies and techniques of beginning-to-end spend management in procurement activities, contract formation and administration to support the agency’s fiduciary obligations with taxpayer funds.

Partnership & Advocacy

Drive a culture of continuous improvement and procurement spend management through best practice sharing, vocal advocacy, and visible hands-on leadership.  Oversee broad, complex, and potentially sensitive issues and compliance that may have a substantial impact on the Agency.

Function as a strategic business advisor to the executive team and senior management regarding procurement and contracting strategies and practices relating to procurement and SBE/DBE functions.

Work closely with other agencies regarding complex procurement and programmatic issues including Buy America and SBE/DBE.

Recommend and implement procurement or contracting changes to comply with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).  Recommend agency position on upcoming procurement and contracting regulations or changes.

Small/Disadvantaged Business Enterprises

As the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Liaison Officer (DBELO), report to the Chief Executive Officer in this role.

Manage the SBE/DBE program to ensure compliance with federal and state requirements.  Evaluate and establish agency DBE goals per FTA requirements.  Ensure DBE goals are met by developing utilization methods and outreach efforts as needed.  Submit required reports to FTA and manage the FTA mandated DBE Business Development Program.  Chair the FTA-mandated DBE Committee of minority, women and general contractor groups, community organizations, and other officials or organizations.

Ensure corporate social responsibility in procurement and contracting, and in the FTA-mandated Business Development Programs for SBE/DBEs.

Parts

Provide general guidance to the Sr. Program Manager for Parts, who leads a team of Parts personnel supporting the Vehicle Maintenance, Operations, and Information Technology departments.  Review the subdivision's goals, objectives, and priorities.  Oversee efficient and effective use of the over $2M parts inventory assets and ensure appropriate inventory.

Project Control Officer

Provide guidance and direction to the Project Control Manager to create and establish policy and procedure for oversight of large capital projects.  Create best practices and work with the executive team to adopt the next practice using change management.  Represent shared services on agency projects.

Resource Planning & Allocation

Create and manage an annual division budget that covers staffing and funding needed for divisional and enterprise projects.

P-Card, Direct Vouchers, and Surplus Programs

Serve as P-Card custodian for the agency.  Provide oversight and direction for P-Card usage by agency managers.  Audit P-Card usage and all direct expenditure voucher payments to vendors and contractors to ensure compliance with statutory, policy and procedure requirements.

Manage the agency’s surplus property disposition program.

Regulatory Compliance

Manage compliance, consistent interpretation and application of all current and applicable state and federal laws, agency policies and procedures, rules, and regulations.   Consult with FTA, State legal experts and legal counsel to interpret laws, rules, guidance, field practices and precedencies on complex issues.

Recommend to agency leadership, suitable changes to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which may benefit the Agency; or provide recommendations on the agency’s position on upcoming regulations or changes.

Perform other duties of a similar nature or level as needed, such as acting as a backup to the Chief People and Financial Officer.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in business administration, public administration, contract management, or a closely related field.
• 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in complex public contracting and procurement services.
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience leading a team of professionals.
• 5 years of experience leading through other managers/supervisors.
• 5 years of advanced work experience with state and federal contracting requirements.

An equivalent combination of education and experience to successfully perform the job duties is also accepted.

Knowledge Requirements

• Public administration and procurement systems and processes.
• Leadership and change management skills for a team of professionals.
• Contract administration in the public sector.
• Contract cost and price analysis.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including applicable Washington State Laws and other statutes related to the use of public funds and tax laws.
• Contract law and interpretation of terms and conditions.
• Advanced negotiation practices.
• Business letter writing and report preparation.
• Record keeping, including public records laws.
• Governmental budget preparation and administration.
• Supervising staff to include prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; staff training; and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary decisions.
• Customer service best practices.

Skill Requirements

• Fostering an inclusive workplace by valuing and leveraging diversity, equity, and inclusion to uphold Community Transit’s Core Values and achieve the organization’s vision and mission.  Inspiring and fostering team commitment, pride, and trust.  Facilitating cooperation and motivating team members to accomplish group goals while treating others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, managers, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the public.
• Developing strategy for procurement needs proactively and setting annual goals for the team.
• Developing, implementing, interpreting, and administering procurement policies and procedures for the entire organization.
• Supervising, leading, and delegating tasks and authority.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills demonstrated by formal presentation experience and report preparation.
• Determining scope and constructing complex contracts, agreements, and management reports for all departments.
• Negotiating and identifying solutions that balance the organization's interests and those of the negotiating partner(s), within financial capacity and other constraints.
• Researching, analyzing, recommending, selecting, and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Interpreting and applying federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Contract management and oversight.
• Developing and monitoring department budget and costs.
• Professional experience with PC-based software such as MS Office, email, and scheduling applications.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

• Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) or Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) or equivalent professional certification.
• Master’s Degree or Juris Doctorate.
• Federal Transit Administration experience.
• Project management techniques and tools.
• PeopleSoft experience.

Working Conditions

Hybrid telework may be available.  Availability is at management discretion and may not be available for this position based on the nature of the work.  Work is performed in an office environment and requires the use of office equipment and technology.  You will be required to move throughout and between different office buildings and may need to complete tasks in noisy environments.  You may also be required to lift and carry materials up to 10 pounds occasionally. 

Application and Selection Process

• Only on-line applications accepted.  
• Applicants for this job may be considered for other openings up to six months after the date this position is filled.
• Applicants who meet the minimum requirements may be scheduled for an interview as well as a variety of tests to demonstrate knowledge, and skills for the position.  The evaluation process may include interviews, background check, reference checks and various performance tests. 

Employee Benefits Exempt

• Employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, basic life and disability insurance.
• Employees participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and have the option to enroll in the agency’s deferred compensation plan.
• In addition to WA Paid Sick Leave, employees in this position, accrue of 24 days of Paid Time off (192 hours) in their first year and ten (10) paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Full list of all benefits and details can be found here. 

If you are related to or share the same living quarters of a current Community Transit employee, please let your Human Resources Recruiter know as your eligibility for this position may be affected.

Community Transit provides a tobacco-free and drug-free work environment.  As a recipient of federal funds, Community Transit is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on a basis prohibited by Federal, State or Local law.  We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.  EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, protected veteran status or disability.