Purchasing Director jobs in Arkansas

NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) provides quality and affordable higher education to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and surrounding areas.

As the largest community college in Arkansas, NWACC is recognized as a leader in education. NWACC offers a full range of associate degrees, certificates and workforce training programs that prepare students for rewarding futures and careers.

NWACC employees are dedicated to fostering a diverse educational community and cultural learning environment that supports student success.

The Director of Purchasing and Contracts reports to directly to the VP of Finance and Administration and serves as an Authorized Purchasing Authority (APO) for NWACC and the State of Arkansas. The Director will develop, implement, and execute contracts, including professional services, construction & property improvement, multi-year, multi-party contracts and others as needed; develop various methods of bidding such as Request for Proposals (RFP), Request for Quote's (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB); represent NWACC at state and federal conferences and instructional sessions; and cultivate relationships with a variety of institution stakeholders to ensure purchasing/procurement needs are met.

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  Implement and administer the institution procurement policy to comply with state procurement and contracting requirements.
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  Supervise and direct the work of Purchasing Specialist and the Contract Specialist positions.
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  Review, revise, and implement procurement procedures that best represents modern terminology, etc.
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  Review and execute all contracts periodically and as needed. Monitor contract status, expirations and keep stakeholders informed of their status.
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  Recruit and secure vendor relationships that best serve the interests of the institution.
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  Resolve issues with vendors, contractors, and suppliers.
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  Develop and communicate a procurement and contracting business plan; establish, communicate and implement long-term goals for the department in order to promote effectiveness and efficiency.
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  Plan the purchasing department's annual strategic needs and budget and administers the day-to-day financial activities.
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  Maintain understanding of institutional direction and mission within department and align department's strategic priorities with institution strategic goals and objectives.
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  Oversee the electronic purchasing requisition/purchase order process. This requires daily monitoring of the process and collaboration with NWACC stakeholders.
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  Develop and implement procurement-related training to college employees, including procurement card training, electronic requisitions and purchase orders, procurement 101, Workday purchasing, and other training.
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  Serve as the Purchasing Card Administrator between the State-approved bank and NWACC.
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  Manage the print fleet. Pull monthly reports reflecting usage in order to implement internal chargebacks.
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  Coordinates the filing procedure and file Technical & General Services and Professional Consultants Services Contracts with the Office of State Procurement.
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  Coordinate and submit applicable purchases to the Arkansas Legislative Committee for approval.
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  Consult with vendors for new products and solutions. Host vendors and outside stakeholders and receive sales presentations, proposals, etc. with focus on establishing an image of equality and opportunity to all of those that exhibit interests in building business relationship(s) with the institution. Serve as liaison with internal department heads to determine purchasing solutions.
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  Maintain compliance with the Office of State Purchasing and the Department of Transformation and Shared Services.
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  Attend bi-annual meetings of the State of Arkansas Authorized Purchasing Officers.
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  Develops and maintains Workday Purchasing business processes, job aids, system updates and testing.
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  Plan and coordinate bidding procedures and sealed openings.
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  Evaluate and approve conditions for issuing and awarding bids.
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  Regular, reliable and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.
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  Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

Rate of pay: $58,000 to $65,000 annualized

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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  Knowledge of current local, state and federal purchasing regulations and laws. Excellent computer skills including proficiency in word processing, data entry, and spreadsheets.
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  Thorough knowledge of contract management and purchasing procedures.
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  Written and oral communication skills.
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  Previous experience utilizing an ERP system.
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  Strong negotiation skills.
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  Ability to build and maintain relationships with vendors and internal and external customers and clients.

Physical Demands

The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is continuously required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, talk or hear; regularly required to reach with hands and arms, taste or smell; occasionally required to walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Environmental Conditions

The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Required Qualifications

Bachelors degree in business management or equivalent. Minimum 5 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

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  State of Arkansas purchasing experience
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  Workday experience

To apply please visit https://tinyurl.com/4pn35et3.

NWACC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy.