Category Lead

Posting Open Until Filled

Salary Range - $62,988 - $83,984

General Summary and Classification

Under supervised direction of the Category Manager, the Category Lead will be a successful change agent who can develop strong relationships with senior leaders and build collaborative partnerships with both internal and external stakeholders.

This position will play a critical role to promote the strategic vision for the future of the procurement department and with implementing state of the art purchasing and procurement operations.

Management responsibilities include problem solving skills, resource allocation for assigning projects, oversite of a portfolio of contracts, recommending procurement strategies and methodology for a defined category of contracts in the most efficient and effective manner for the City of Atlanta.

• This position is responsible for the direct supervision of contracting professionals to provide oversite and approval that projects are conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, policies, and procedures.
• Delivers and monitors key performance measures to assess the performance of assigned procurement professional. Submits periodic management reports based on performance metrics.
• Responsible for advanced procurement planning with client departments to identify resources, requirements, conduct pre-project planning, formulate procurement strategies, and develop implementation plans and timelines.
• Manages pre-award procurement activities to support various source selection methods, solicitation development and issuance, conducting pre-bid and pre-proposal conferences, supervising activities of evaluation committees, highly technical and complex specifications, all aspects of pre-award, award, and post-award documents including all related research and value analysis;

and recommends solutions to benefit the customer.

• Responsible for contract development activities by negotiating with consultants and contractors regarding specifications, scope of work, prices, terms, and conditions.
• Responsible for contract administration including management of system data, and as a liaison between suppliers and departments to ensure compliance of grant requirements and contract terms and conditions;

negotiation of contract amendments, extensions, and change orders; analyze cost and price data from vendors; oversees contract audits when required.

• Continuously reviews procurement policies and procedures and recommends improvement through more efficient procurement methods, e-procurement, quantity discounts, standardization, annual contracts for recurring purchases, or cooperative purchasing.
• Maintains the integrity of the public procurement process by ensuring that practices are consistent, open, and designed to encourage maximum competition and best value procurements.
• Responsible for resolving vendor performance issues and, when required, recommend suspension or debarment of vendors or persons for cause from consideration of award of contracts.
• Responsible for high quality communication and interaction required to optimize potential for meeting customer needs and provides accurate, complete, and up-to-date information in a courteous, efficient, and responsive manner.
• Effectively interpret and communicate procurement policies and procedures to others. As required, develop, and provide procurement training to internal and external personnel.
• Ensures current market research is conducted to identify responsible sources and suppliers to provide the most cost effective and competitive pricing for supplies and services requirements.
• Responsible for assigning work to personnel in terms of objectives and priorities; maintains individual workload statistics.

Provides guidance and assistance to other employees, as needed.

• Prepare and maintain accurate records and documentation on all solicitations, responses, purchases, contracts, correspondence, and related follow-up.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of business practices related to governmental procurement and technology that serves this area.
• Advanced knowledge of contract documents and terminology, solicitation methods and contract administration related to procurement.
• Considerable knowledge of laws, policies and procedures governing public procurement.
• Considerable knowledge of mathematics to perform computations and collect statistics for basic cost and price analysis using spreadsheets and other technology.
• Considerable knowledge of infrastructure project delivery methods, including design-bid-build, design-build, construction manager-at-risk, and job order contracts.
• Considerable knowledge of cost accounting as it relates to price and cost analysis.
• Considerable skill in researching and preparing highly complex specifications, solicitations and contract documents.
• Considerable skill in negotiating contracts.
• Working understanding of skills required for effective project management.
• Advanced computer skills, including office software (MS Office) automated purchasing systems, and productivity tools.
• Ability to read, interpret, explain and properly apply rules, regulations, laws, policies and procedures.
• Ability to develop effective and cooperative working relationships with other departments, employees, suppliers and other public agencies.
• Ability to use judgment and initiative in making recommendations and resolving problems that are highly complex and sensitive in nature.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing, including the ability to convey complex and technical subjects in a clear, concise and positive manner.
• Ability to establish schedules and to complete projects on a timely basis.
• Ability to successfully deal with all persons in a fair and equitable manner.
• Ability to make difficult decisions and award contracts impartially and objectively.
• Possess complete integrity and a high sense of personal and professional ethics.
• Demonstrated ability to display emotional intelligence and business acumen.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service through written and oral communications, timely follow up and displaying confidence in the ability to meet client needs and demands.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business or Public Administration, Business Law, Finance, Purchasing, or closely related field.
• Minimum (5) years of progressively increasing responsibilities for procurement projects as an individual contributor and three (3) years’ experience with responsibility for leading the management of a team responsible for purchasing and / or procurement responsibility.

Public sector experience procurement experience is preferred; but not required.

Preferred Requirements (separate from minimum requirements and not required to qualify for the job)

An advanced degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Law, or a closely related field is preferred.

Intermediate to advance skills in MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel, MS Word).

• Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), Certified Procurement Professional (CPP) or Certified Public Procurement Buyer (CPPB) or equivalent certification.
30+ days ago