Procurement Consultant

The Procurement Consultant performs professional procurement and contracting work to support our client’s staff with the strategic procurement of goods, services, and construction. The role partners with departments from initial purchasing needs through solicitation, contracting, and final delivery, ensuring compliance with applicable state and local laws, regulations, and internal policies.

The position proactively helps departments define needs, identify quality sources, evaluate vendors and costs, recommend alternatives, and seek economies of scale while intentionally creating opportunities for historically underutilized businesses. Local government experience ideally in municipal or county purchasing and contracting, is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic procurement support

• Partner with departments from purchase concept through contract execution and delivery, advising on procurement strategies, risks, and options.
• Define needs, specifications, and scopes of work, and identify opportunities to streamline purchasing and improve value.
• Conduct market research to identify quality suppliers and support category and sourcing strategies.
• Participate in projects and initiatives related to procurement and perform other related duties as required.

Solicitation development and management

• Draft clear bid specifications and instructions in line with applicable laws, regulations, and internal procedures.
• Prepare and manage informal and formal solicitations, including requests for quotes, bids, and proposals.
• Coordinate pre bid meetings, manage vendor questions, evaluate and document bids and proposals, and recommend awards.
• Post solicitations and related information on required websites, portals, and cooperative systems.

Equity, inclusion, and supplier outreach

• Identify and document minority and historically underutilized businesses invited to compete.
• Support efforts to broaden supplier participation and pursue economies of scale without limiting fair competition.

Vendor and contract performance management

• Monitor vendor performance on new and existing contracts to ensure pricing, quality, and service levels are met.
• Maintain current pricing and contract records, prepare performance reports, and help resolve vendor performance issues.

Purchasing and requisition support

• Review and process purchase requisitions, verify completeness and accuracy, and determine the appropriate procurement method.
• Resolve internal processing issues and provide guidance on thresholds, documentation, competition, and use of cooperative or state contracts.

Contract development and administration

• Serve as a liaison between purchasing or contracts and departments for contract processing and support.
• Review and assemble contract packages, ensure required documentation is complete, and route contracts and leases for approval.
• Recommend contract changes when needed, ensure compliance with legal and policy requirements, and help resolve contract issues and discrepancies.
• Track contract performance and usage and maintain related data and reports.

Policy, templates, data, and training

• Help maintain and improve standard specifications, templates, and procurement and contracting procedures.
• Support development of processes and systems to capture procurement and contract data, and prepare spend and activity reports.
• Develop and deliver training, guidance, and communications to staff on procurement processes and tools and recommend process improvements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in accounting, business management, public administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least three years of experience in contracting and or purchasing.
• Demonstrated experience in public sector (government) purchasing and contracting, with a strong preference for local government experience.
• Knowledge of governmental purchasing and contracting, including state and local government procurement practices and competitive bidding requirements.
• Experience leading competitive bidding and proposal processes and managing contracts in a public agency setting.
• Ability to interpret and apply statutes, policies, and procedures and to monitor compliance.
• Strong skills in drafting specifications and contract language and in analyzing business and financial data to support recommendations.
• Excellent communication, customer service, and relationship building skills with staff, vendors, and the public.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, prioritize work, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

This position is non exempt and requires successful completion of pre employment screening, which may include drug testing and background checks.