Purchasing Agent

This is a full time, permanent position within the Purchasing Department a division of the Office of Central Services.

The mission of the Office of Central Services is to provide efficient services to county operating departments, and the public, through effective leadership of centralized purchasing, risk management, insurance and safety, facilities management, fleet management and real estate, thus providing the residents and business owners of Anne
Arundel County maximum value for their tax dollar.

This is highly responsible managerial work that involves major purchasing and contracting operations and related service functions. The Purchasing agent is to lead and manage the overall effort of the County's Purchasing department. The Purchasing agent will be responsible for driving leading practices into the function through a transformational program to improve efficiencies, quality, customer service, and drive savings. The Purchasing agent oversees all county Purchasing activities, which include, but not limited, to the management and supervision of sourcing and contracting functions, as well as, the service functions of stores, mail, and duplicating. The Purchasing agent is accountable and responsible for the daily operations of the purchasing function ensuring each purchasing activity meets the County's purchasing laws.



NATURE AND VARIETY OF WORK

Work involves the management and supervision of the County's large scale and diverse purchasing, procurement, and contracting functions as well as the service functions of stores, warehousing, mail, and duplicating. Work also includes representing the County on committees including the Baltimore Regional Cooperative Purchasing Committee, Consultant Selection Committee, P-Card Committee, Fixed Asset Committee, and the Energy Board. Work includes serving as the ultimate technical official regarding purchasing and the related functions. Work also includes responsibility for fulfilling the legal requirements of the County Charter regarding purchasing. Management responsibilities exercised over the assistant purchasing agents, buyers, MBE coordinator, clerical staff, and geographically separated service staffs. Work is performed under the administrative direction of the Central Services Officer and is reviewed through conferences and reports.
Examples of Duties and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (Note: The duties and responsibilities enumerated in this class specification are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications and salary level for all positions in this class. They are not intended to include all of the essential functions of all positions in the class.)

(Note: The duties and responsibilities enumerated in this class specification are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications and salary level for all positions in this class. They are not intended to include all of the essential functions of all positions in the class.)

Oversee all county Purchasing activities, which include, but not limited, to the management and supervision of purchasing, procurement, and contracting functions as well as the mail room, warehouse operations, stock room, courier service, and print shop.

Responsible for implementing and executing all purchasing activities within the legal requirements of the County code, charter, and purchasing manual.

Responsible for the development and implementation of a future state operating model that is faster and more efficient; improves management of risk to the County of contract provisions; drives value added and looks for opportunities for higher value Procurement activities; improve savings; and enhance customer service.

Responsible for leading a future state Procurement operating model that consist of Category Management & Sourcing, Purchasing, and operations functions that support aggressive improvements in supplier quality, delivery, savings, lead-times, payment and other areas to be identified.

Develop and implement procurement strategies, drive process improvements, and effectively institute metrics and key performance metrics.

Oversee continuous improvement efforts across all areas of Purchasing and institute leading practices across all entities.

Build effective relationships with key stakeholders to gain alignment of sourcing and process improvement strategies and plans.

Oversee entire procurement process to include, but not be limited to, the writing of Requests for Proposal and contracts, negotiation of terms and conditions and prices, supplier business reviews and implementation of performance metrics, and purchase order creation.

Directly provide leadership, oversight, and management to team leads within the organization.

Develop and promulgate purchasing policies and procedures within the confines of the County Charter and the policies established by higher authority.

Arrange for disposition of surplus County property and equipment in accordance with County policies and procedures.

Prepare, present, and administer the Purchasing Office's budget annually.

Direct the preparation and maintenance of necessary records and reports.

Perform related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of modern procurement systems.

Thorough knowledge of the various types and grades of commodities.

Thorough knowledge of sources of supply, contractors, bidders, and of market and price trends.

Thorough knowledge of standard types, forms, and legal requirements of contracts.

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public finance administration.

Ability to analyze and evaluate highly complex bids.

Ability to manage a diverse central purchasing and service operations.

Ability to prepare, present, and administer the agency budget.

Ability to deal effectively with administrative officials, contractors, employees, and the public.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Minimum Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with major course work in public or business administration; six (6) or more years of experience in governmental purchasing, including managerial experience; and a valid non-commercial Class C motor vehicle operator's license.

NOTE: The four (4) year college degree may be substituted with four (4) or more years experience in progressively responsible governmental or commercial purchasing activities that shall include management and supervision of employees conducting purchasing.

NOTE: The six (6) years in governmental purchasing, may be substituted with four (4) or more years of experience in governmental purchasing, and two (2) or more years of experience in progressively responsible commercial purchasing activities. The combined total of six (6) years shall include managerial experience and supervision of employees conducting purchasing.
Supplemental Qualifications: Preference will be given to candidates with the following:
1) Professionally recognized Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) or Certified Production &

Inventory Management (CPIM) Certification.

2) Knowledge of effective procurement process management to include category management, sourcing, purchasing, and contracting.

3) Experience implementing and growing an MBE program.

4) Experience implementing technology to improve management of procurement functions including processing of requests and data analytics to ensure savings through data reporting, tracking, and workload management.