Director of Procurement & Business Diversity

Purpose:
The Director of Procurement and Business Diversity is responsible for providing leadership, vision, motivation and strategic direction to meet the procurement needs of the organization and implement vendor diversity and inclusion strategies and programs. We are seeking a results-oriented, critical thinking, metrics-driven leader with expertise in developing and implementing organizational best practices and procurement strategies, overseeing purchasing, collaborating with suppliers and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local procurement regulations. The key role of this position (and a primary factor in its success) is the timely delivery of goods and services that meet the needs of WeGo Public Transit departments and the creation of a fair and competitive environment for the vendor community.

In this leadership role, the successful candidate will manage and direct all aspects of the procurement of goods and services for WeGo and the Davidson Transit Organization; guide, advise and assist Procurement team members and colleagues with procurement processes including identifying and developing any necessary training; develop and/or update procurement policies and procedures to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations in addition to industry best practices; and develop a vendor diversity program that will align with agency needs and goals.

Reports to: Chief of Staff and Administration

Job Functions:

• Develop and communicate a procurement business plan; establish, communicate and implement long-term goals for the department in order to promote effectiveness and efficiency.

• Manage and oversee quality control of all solicitations for clarity, consistency, and conformance to agency requirements and review all solicitation outcomes to assure that award decisions are appropriate and documented as required.

• Develop, communicate and administer procurement department team performance and development plans and appraisals.

• Serve as the primary contact for procurement related questions, training, policy and procedure interpretation and alignment for all departments.

• Oversee contract development and administration processes to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal procurement laws and regulations.

• Develop, conduct, and implement procurement-related training programs for the procurement team and organization.

• Develop, implement, and communicate procurement policies, procedures, and programs to enhance organizational value and efficiency.

• Meet regularly with respective departments regarding upcoming and pending needs to develop and implement strategies and schedules for efficient and effective procurement for required goods and services.

• Develop and execute a long-term strategy to facilitate continuous process improvements to ensure consistent execution of procurement strategies and high-quality value delivery.

• Implement best practices in procurement and supplier management to support commercial and operational objectives.

• Ensure the execution of standards, controls, policies, procedures and performance metrics to effectively and efficiently manage procurement activities to ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

• Conduct project review meetings with key stakeholders to assess contract performance/compliance, review future strategies, and identify service delivery improvement opportunities.

• Maintain strong working relationships with strategic suppliers to assure cost, quality, and delivery targets are met.

• Build a strong and diverse portfolio of industry specific markets and suppliers to support the implementation of long and short term agency projects.

• Analyze market and delivery trends so as to identify areas for improvement to continually drive performance and business results.

• Ability to access local and national market conditions and then update procurement strategies based on changing market conditions.

• Direct and oversee the daily activities of the DBE Liaison Officer (DBELO) to ensure federal compliance and optimal utilization of diverse businesses including the development of strategies that promote contracting opportunities for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), Small Business Enterprises (SBE), and other diverse vendors.

• Oversee the design, development, and implementation of programs/initiatives that advance vendor diversity and expand the supplier base.

• Oversee contract compliance review by the DBELO and assist with the determination of percentage goals for DBE, SBE, or other diverse vendor participation.

• Work on business opportunities and issues to eliminate barriers/requirements that obstruct participation of DBEs, SBEs, and other diverse businesses from engaging in Agency projects

• Develop and conduct business seminars, procurement fairs, and other outreach activities in collaboration with other business experts to assist in increasing business participation.

• Develop procedures and standards for the agency's vendor diversity programs.

Job Skills & Qualifications:

• Strong workforce management and people development skills.

• Strong research and writing skill set.

• Strong attention to detail with exemplary documentation quality.

• Strong critical thinking skills to assess business processes, analyze project needs and assess specifications to implement the procurement strategy that will maximize competition and assure cost-effective, high quality responses to agency solicitations.

• Managing a comprehensive procurement that includes project and program management oversight.

• Analyzing and assessing policies and operational needs and making appropriate adjustments Identifying and responding to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns and needs Interpreting and applying program policies, procedures, rules and regulations.

• Researching, analyzing and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques.

• Preparing clear and concise administrative and financial reports.

• Strong knowledge of procurement and purchasing best practices including in both public and private sector.

• Able to obtain knowledge or be knowledgeable in transit law and understand transit policies and their relationship to transit services including, but not limited to:

• Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, as amended;

• Federal Transit Laws, 49 U.S.C. chapter 53;

• 49 C.F.R. part 18 Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments;

• Federal Transit Administration Requirements 4220.lE on Third Party Contracting Guidelines or amendments;

• FTA and DOT Regulations, Circulars, Significant Guidance pertaining to transit operation; and Financing and the regulations associated with State and Federal funding.

• Solid analytical and computer skills.

• Strong communication skills.

• Outstanding team building and leadership skills.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in either Business, Finance or related field.

• 10+ years experience in procurement or purchasing experience with at least 3-5 years of supervisory experience.

• Public sector procurement experience, preferably in an agency supported by federal funding.

• Experience in business diversity and inclusion initiatives and programs /or including but not limited to DBE programs.

• Experience working with local, state, and federal auditors.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in related field is preferred.

• Experience developing and conducting training and outreach events

• Multilingual

• Experience building a vendor diversity program

• Performs other duties as assigned:

The principal duties are intended to describe those functions that are essential to the performance of this job and must be performed unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation.

Other responsibilities are those functions, which are considered incidental or secondary to the overall purpose of the job. This job description does not imply that the above are the only duties assigned to the position. Employee may be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by management.

Physical Requirements with or without reasonable accommodations

Physical activity includes but is not limited to:

• Sitting, standing, lifting, reaching, walking, talking, writing, repetitive motion, carrying, grasping, holding, clarity of vision, speaking, listening.

• Must be able to operate office equipment, including but not limited to telephone, computer, printer, copy machine, facsimile machine, and calculator.

Other Requirements:

• Possess positive customer relations skills.

• Proven track record of critical thinking skills in various business scenarios.

• Work with little supervision.

• Ability to promote positive and productive work environment.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationship with all levels of employees.

• Understand and carry out detailed written or verbal instructions.

• Problem solving skills.

• Ability to prepare and deliver oral presentations.

• Ability to compose clear, concise and grammatically correct written communication.

• Maintain confidentiality.

• Meet required deadlines.

• Work under stressful situations.

• Solve practical training problems.

Classifications under Fair Labor Standards Act: Exempt

Davidson Transit Organization is the employment provider for WeGo Public Transit

Davidson Transit Organization (DTO) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer