CHF PROCUREMENT SPEC (DOA)

Department

Department of Administration

Division

Purchasing/Materials Management

Salary

$89,679.00 - $101,661.00

Job Profile

JC-02671400-99 - Chief Procurement Specialist (DOA) (Non-Union Executive Branch)

Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours

This position will report to senior Information Technology, Goods and Services (ITGS) Team leadership within the Division of Purchases and support state agencies with a broad portfolio consisting of a wide variety of commodities and services, primarily complex Information Technology commodities.

The successful candidate must demonstrate strong experience in Information Technology projects and related requirements, including competency in the full solicitation cycle, i.e. agency procurement planning, initiation and oversight of the solicitation process, management of the evaluation and recommendation process, review of procurement insurance and contractual requirements, contract negotiation, legal review process, contract award process, and assistance with agency contract management.

The position will require extensive knowledge of State of Rhode Island procurement business processes, Rhode Island General Laws, Rhode Island Code of Regulations, and General Conditions of Purchase, combined with the talent to unite that knowledge with competent advice and guidance for excellent customer service and to assist with high-level problem solving.

Must maintain confidentiality, be well-organized, independently manage and prioritize delegated tasks while collaborating with team members, meet deadlines, and adapt quickly to shifting priorities. Provide guidance to State agencies and others for complicated or emergency procurements within existing procurement/financial system environments. Initiate and complete special projects as assigned. Expected to work well in a collaborative team environment, with client agencies and vendors, and independently.

Must possess demonstrated proficiency with Information Technology and Information Technology Services including Microsoft/Adobe products and Office platform. Position will conduct primary duties and functions in the State ERP and eProcurement systems.

Must comply with Executive Order 21-19 Ethics and Integrity in Government and 220-RICR-30-00-3 Code of Ethics and Professional Behavior, applying the principals of both to all procurement activities conducted.

Scheduled Workdays & Work Hours

SCHEDULED WORKDAYS: Monday - Friday

SCHEDULED HOURS: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Job Requisition Number

JR102602 CHF PROCUREMENT SPEC (DOA) (Open Date: 05/01/2026)

Pay Grade

C00134 A

Classification

Chief Procurement Specialist (DOA)

Class Definition

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Within the Department of Administration (DOA), Division of Purchases, to direct, coordinate and manage the activities of the procurement staff and/or perform high dollar and volume purchasing activities; to oversee the preparation and maintenance of standards and specifications; to oversee procurement work and contracting activities as well as analytical support functions relative to the State procurement system; as required, to be individually responsible for procurement for assigned classes of products and services; to carry out procurement and contracting activities in accordance with rules, regulations, and the requirements of statute; and to do related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general direction of the Administrators of Purchasing Systems or similar senior level staff with considerable latitude for independent judgment and determination; can approve purchase orders to a specified expenditure level without further review as established by Division policy.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Plan, supervise, direct and review the work of procurement staff of various levels; participates in and administers formal training; reviews junior Procurement Specialists' cases; leads other staff and/or teams on a project basis.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

• Within the Department of Administration (DOA), Division of Purchases, to direct, coordinate and manage the activities of the procurement staff and/or perform high dollar and volume purchasing activities; to oversee the preparation and maintenance of standards and specifications; to oversee procurement work and contracting activities as well as analytical support functions relative to the State procurement system; as required, to be individually responsible for procurement for assigned classes of products and services; to carry out procurement and contracting activities in accordance with rules, regulations, and the requirements of statute; and to do related work as required.
• To advise and instruct users and vendors with respect to use of the Ocean State Procures (OSP) and/or any other digital purchasing software and platforms used in the Division including vendor registration, vendor lists, commodity lists, obtaining Master Price Agreements, bids, bid results, Rules and Regulations and other information.
• To review requisitions, create bid preparation instructions, initiate bid preparation, authorize bids, analyze bid responses, award bids, initiate and release purchase orders and change orders, review and analyze vendor information including complaints, suspensions, and debarments, and create and download reports.
• To train staff and/or assist in their training.
• To recommend policies and procedures governing procurement and the overall operation of the Division, and to assist in their development and implementation.
• To screen competitive solicitations to assure that: the functional requirements of each item procured are well-defined and that standards for bid responsiveness are clear; the solicitation method selected is most appropriate to the intended purpose; and all rules, regulations, and procedures have been followed.
• To review and approve recommendations for award(s) to other(s) than the lowest bid received.
• To review and approve recommendations for removals from the bidders' lists, and to endorse recommendations for vendor sanctions to Division leadership.
• To monitor the work performance, quality, and production of procurement projects.
• To assist users and Division management in the enforcement of contractual obligations and to make recommendations with respect to disposition of complaints and vendor disciplinary action.
• To keep current on both emerging and established procurement policies, procedures, and methods and to advise and instruct accordingly.
• To assist user departments/agencies in obtaining goods and services in the most cost-effective manner possible by offering and responding to requests for technical and other assistance from user agency personnel in a professional and timely manner.
• To provide complete information and advise agency users as to how to obtain copies of relevant materials and/or provide referrals for other types of assistance.
• To assist user agencies in developing the documentation necessary for successful purchases and to educate users as to the options available for various types of purchases.
• To work with department/agency officials to increase effective communications and to provide user specific problem-solving assistance.
• To review, post and manage more technical Master Price Agreements (MPA) solicitations and contracts including public works and reverse auctions with limited supervision.
• As applicable, to manage and bring Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) and American Institute of Architects (AIA), or similar construction procurement approaches, tasks to successful and timely completion
• As applicable, to help maintain continuity of operations. Assist with the preparation and management of electronic files for audit purposes.
• To do related work as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND CAPACITIES: Through knowledge of procurement laws, administrative rules, regulations and procedures; advanced knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures involved in the procurement of goods and services; the ability to plan, supervise, direct, lead, and review the work of staff; advanced knowledge of state procurement regulations; advanced knowledge of roles and responsibilities across the procurement life cycle and resources available that guide procurement processes; a superior ability to analyze and evaluate proposed procurement actions for conformance to policy and procedure; a detailed knowledge of State procurement regulations; a detailed knowledge of product markets and market conditions, including knowledge of terminology, usage, sources of supply, and quality requirements for multiple significant areas of procurement; an advanced ability to analyze bid responses for technical merit and responsiveness; knowledge of the principles of audit and an advanced ability to maintain a clear audit trail for all actions; advanced knowledge of analytical, statistical, and research principles and the ability to apply analytical techniques to the interpretation and evaluation of a broad spectrum of data; an advanced ability to prepare and make effective verbal and written reports and presentations; the ability to instruct less experienced staff in procedure and policy; the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with users and vendors; advanced knowledge of Windows Operating Systems, usage of a personal computer (PC) and standard desktop office tools; the capacity to navigate a computer while on the telephone and/or while providing in-person assistance; the ability to provide clear and accurate information to users, department/agency officials, vendors and other interested parties; the ability to interact with others in a professional, tactful and courteous manner; the ability to identify and recognize specific information from a mass of data; the ability to efficiently and effectively navigate an integrated digital software package; the ability to work well in a collaborative team environment, with client agencies as well as work independently; the ability to maintain confidentiality, while being well organized, manage and prioritize delegated tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt quickly to shifting priorities; the ability to possess ad maintain a valid driver's license for use of state-owned vehicle, for attendance at regional trainings and conferences, and use of other modes of transportation for attendance at out-of-state destinations; the ability to maintain compliance with the Rhode Island Code of Ethics; and related capacities and abilities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Graduation from a college of recognized standing with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Purchasing, Supply Chain Management or a related field; and

Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of employment in a highly responsible procurement capacity either in a supervisory capacity and/or in demonstrating direct, formal responsibility for and experience with high volume and high value procurement activities, particularly of a more technical and complex nature.

Or, graduation from a college of recognized standing with a master's degree in Business Administration, Purchasing, Supply Chain Management or a related field and at least three (3) years of experience employment in a highly responsible procurement capacity either in a supervisory capacity and/or in demonstrating direct, formal responsibility for and experience with high volume and high value procurement activities, particularly of a more technical and complex nature.

Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience, provided that one or more professional certification(s) in procurement -Certified Professional Public Buyer (C.P.P.B) or Certified Public Purchasing Official (C.P.P.O.)- may be substituted for education or experience.

Supplemental Information

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Within the Department of Administration (DOA), Division of Purchases, to direct, coordinate and manage the activities of the procurement staff and/or perform high dollar and volume purchasing activities; to oversee the preparation and maintenance of standards and specifications; to oversee procurement work and contracting activities as well as analytical support functions relative to the State procurement system; as required, to be individually responsible for procurement for assigned classes of products and services; to carry out procurement and contracting activities in accordance with rules, regulations, and the requirements of statute; and to do related work as required. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general direction of the Administrators of Purchasing Systems or similar senior level staff with considerable latitude for independent judgment and determination; can approve purchase orders to a specified expenditure level without further review as established by Division policy. SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Plan, supervise, direct and review the work of procurement staff of various levels; participates in and administers formal training; reviews junior Procurement Specialists' cases; leads other staff and/or teams on a project basis.

Benefits

For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.

Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.