JOB SUMMARY:

Supervises the daily activities of the centralized purchasing function for Hall County. Maintains relationships with vendors or suppliers and negotiates contracts for more complex purchase orders. Evaluates and analyzes purchasing trends and price trends to identify forecast demand and minimize purchasing costs. Provides supervision to staff, including overseeing projects, reviewing purchasing decisions, and providing authority for personnel actions. 

    ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plans and administers procurement process for goods, services, materials, supplies, and equipment.
• Prepares formal and informal bid proposals and requests for proposals as required by law, including all documenta­tion and supporting schedules; contacts vendors, evaluates bids, and makes purchasing recom­mendations.
• Reviews requisitions and advises department(s) concerning purchases of supplies and equipment.
• Approves vendors and controls vendor list, drafts specifications for all major commodities purchases. Prepares and administers contracts with vendors. 
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with all suppliers and prepare reports for all purchasing departments and provide support to all managers to plan and execute all purchasing processes and provide an effective interface with all departments.
• Maintain an efficient purchase order system and manage communication with internal departments and external vendors. Recommend improvements, as needed, to all service levels to ensure accuracy and efficient cooperation.
• Design and implement various purchasing strategies and procurement policies/procedures that coordinate with supply chain management and determine appropriate programs for all purchase requirements and assist to reduce supply chain cost.
• Manage supplier contracts and assist to administer best pricing strategies for all purchased materials. Analyze strategies to improve quality and manage inventory levels for all county departments.
• Analyze all existing procedures for purchasing agents, approve purchase orders, evaluate competitive bids and requests for proposals, prepare/review competitive agreements, and design system and procedures to minimize costs for all departments/vendors.
• Supervise county-wide procurement card program, including the activation and termination of all county P-cards and management of day-to-day operations of online credit card system.
• Administer everyday activities of all purchasing staff and provide training to staff to ensure compliance and monitor all purchasing activities and design various cost-effective methods according to demands.
• Interviewing, making hiring recommendations, plans and assigns work, and reviews and evaluates performance of subordinates. 
• Provides supervision and oversight in purchasing. 
• Regular and predictable attendance is required.
• Performs other related duties as required.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Education and Experience:

          Bachelor’s degree in business Administra­tion, Accounting or related field.

          Five years professional purchasing experience of which at least three years is in government purchasing. 

          Three years of financial experience in a governmental environment.

Licenses and Certifications:

         Certified Public Purchasing Officer 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of purchasing laws, rules and regulations in annotated code for the State of Georgia.
• Knowledge of public purchasing and bid procedures and ethical constraints.
• Knowledge of County operations and functions.
• Knowledge of local government budgeting and purchasing procedures.
• Knowledge of state laws and county ordinances or resolutions concerning SPLOST, cash management and investments, and debt issuance and management.
• Skill in operating a computer keyboard to enter and retrieve data.
• Skill in cash flow analysis and multi-year revenue forecasting.
• Skill in managing subordinate staff.
• Ability to interact with elected officials, other governmental entities and agencies, and staff at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relation­ships with private sector vendors.
• Ability to independently assimilate facts and draw sound conclusions.
• Ability to select, develop, organize, motivate and effectively utilize staff.

ADA Minimum Requirements

Physical Ability: Essential functions of this position continuously require the ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing); operate a computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copier, and printer. Incumbents must continuously be able to think analytically; handle stress and emotion, concentrate on tasks, remember names and other details; examine and observe details; make decisions, and adjust to change. Incumbents must also continuously direct others; meet deadlines; stay organized; use math/calculations and use a keyboard/type.

Essential Functions frequently require the ability to move about inside the office; and move/transport items up to 10lbs.

Essential functions occasionally require the ability to bend body downward and forward by bending spine and legs, and twisting at the waist, hips or knees; reach overhead; push or pull; and repetitively use hands/arms/legs. Incumbents in this position are occasionally required to be on-call and work irregular hours. 

Sensory Requirements: Essential functions regularly require the ability to use effective verbal and written communication; and use of hand/eye coordination and fine manipulation to use equipment.

Environmental Factors: Essential functions of this position continuously require the ability to either work with others or work alone. 

This class specification should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the major respon­sibilities and requirements of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specifica­tion.