Procurement Strategic Advisor

The City of Seattle’s Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) is seeking qualified candidates for a Procurement Strategic Advisor (Strategic Advisor 1, PC&RM) position to join the Purchasing Team, within the Purchasing and Contracting Division (PC).

Procurement Strategic Advisors serve on a team that provides centralized procurement and contracting for the entire City, managing the complexity and risks associated with cradle-to-grave purchasing and contracting. PC has a strong commitment to efficient, effective, and compliant contracts and purchases, with a focus on excellent customer service.

ABOUT US

The Purchasing and Contracting Division shapes and defines procurement policies that regulate and govern all City Departments and provides Citywide strategic planning, oversight, and governance of bidding and contractual arrangements. The Purchasing Team within PC establishes and administers over 1,200 blanket contracts, used Citywide for the purchase of goods and routine services. We are also the only team in the City authorized to make purchases above the City’s established competitive bidding thresholds. In addition to the purchase of goods and routine services, the Purchasing Team oversees the decentralized Consultant contracting program.

FAS is often the public's first interaction with the City of Seattle, operating as a customer-focused front door that assists with everything from paying utilities or reporting a pothole to requesting public information or even adopting a new pet.

The 500-plus employees of FAS span across 10 divisions and work behind-the-scenes providing critical functions, like managing 120 City facilities—including police and fire stations—overseeing the City's neighborhood customer service centers and Customer Service Bureau and making sure minority-owned businesses can equitably compete for City contracts. No matter the need, FAS is here—at your service.

The Purchasing Team is a dynamic and diverse team of dedicated stewards of taxpayer resources. The Procurement Strategic Advisor position plays a key role in developing and implementing citywide contracting procedures and processes with responsibilities of managing the full scope of procurement contracts, which include solicitation, selection processes, monitoring contracts for fiscal and legal compliance, adherence to deliverable timelines, auditing performance, assessing viability of future contract work, and providing transparency for the public. The Procurement Strategic Advisor is also responsible for a varied contract portfolio, with a group of related commodities and contracts which may include complex and specialized procurements. In addition, the position helps implement policies that fulfill the City’s expectations in promoting diversity and race and social justice efforts around the position's contract portfolio.

• Administer and manage a portfolio of approximately 150 - 175 contracts that require a high level of oversight.
• Advise and consult project managers and other City department staff on contracting methodologies and develop overall contracting plans within assigned contract portfolio to fulfill department and city-wide procurement needs in the most economical, timely, effective, and efficient manner.
• Develop and implement procurement and bid solicitations for purchasing initiatives, and other requirements as authorized by special legislation or federal grants.
• Execute start to finish procurement activities for outsourcing engagements including performing proactive strategic sourcing; developing and managing Invitations to Bid (ITB) and Requests for Proposals (RFP) or other selection processes; and contract negotiations.
• Mediate and resolve contractual issues and disputes.
• Develop and support relationships with vendors and the general public.
• Focus on performance indicators and annual contract management objectives to ensure performance agreements are met and customer departments' business needs are fulfilled.
• Promote and support outreach goals for diversity and (race and social justice) efforts. Participate in identifying and implementing citywide contracting policies, procedures, and systems.
• Occasionally staff or be on call to staff the Logistics Section of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), in the event of an emergency, natural disaster or large-scale event. The Purchasing Team does its best to rotate this obligation among staff when evening or weekend reporting is required, and EOC response training will be provided.
• Perform various other related duties commensurate with the Strategic Advisor 1 position level.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Contract Management, Project Management, or a closely related field. AND
• Four (4) years of experience in public or private procurement or project management.

(Or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class.)

The most successful candidates will possess the following:

• Understanding of methods, principles, and practices of purchasing and contracting, and regulatory requirements in the public sector.
• Familiarity with contracting laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Knowledge and experience with mediation and contract negotiation principles and practices.
• Awareness of social responsibility items such as small and disadvantaged business initiatives; sustainability and green purchasing.
• Project management experience.
• Demonstrated strategic perspective on political, business or contracting/procurement issues or trends.
• Experience in handling multiple assignments concurrently.
• Experience preparing complex contracts and agreements.
• Public Procurement Certification through NIGP, CPPB, CPPO, UPPCC or similar certification.

Work Environment
This position requires a minimum of three days per week of onsite work. Alternative Work Arrangements and hybrid telework schedules for work conducted in a normal office environment may be considered and will be based on operational needs and consistency with City policies.

This position is classified as a Strategic Advisor 1, PC&RM. The full salary range for this job classification is $51.88 - $77.82 per hour. This position is FLSA exempt (not eligible for overtime) and is Civil Service represented.

Application Process
Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. You must submit the following items to be considered for this position no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on the scheduled closed date.

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
3. Current resume indicating relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and education.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state “see my resume” or “see my personnel file” are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

PLEASE NOTE: This job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Background Check: Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Why work at the City of Seattle?
The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits.

Who May Apply: The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions regarding this bulletin or employment at Finance and Administrative Services, please send an email to [email protected]. FAS promotes diversity and inclusion in employment. If accommodations are needed during the selection process, please contact us.

CANDIDATE NOTIFICATION:

Many important notifications including interview or test invitations, result notices, and status updates will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application. It is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add [email protected] to your email address book and to the list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail. Candidates can also check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing their profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices. It is the applicant's responsibility to take the above steps to view correspondence.