Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed): 10-11-2024
Job Description:
If you are a procurement professional who desires to function at a senior-level on our Services team performing a variety of work, engaging with many different types of people and projects, enjoys a challenge, then this is an excellent opportunity to enhance your career!
As a procurement contracts officer, you will work closely with divisions of DHHS throughout all aspects of the procurement process and managing your contract portfolio. Along with other duties and responsibilities, you will closely examine specifications to encourage competitive bidding, ensure that the procurement process is executed effectively, efficiently, and fairly. You consult with legal counsel for guidance and in the negotiation of contractual terms and conditions as well as work contract administration in vendor performance and contract management.
Here at DHHS, you have the passion, we have the opportunities - let's make a difference for Nebraskans!
Pay may be commensurate with education and/or experience, if within fiscal constraints and also approved.
Examples of Work
What you will do as a Procurement Contracts Officer:
Oversee the development and the administration of complex competitive bidding of Requests for Proposals, Requests for Information, Requests for Qualifications, Statements of Work, and Quote Requests, ensuring completeness, compliance with State Statutes, rules and regulations, and policies and procedures. This may include meeting with program/contract managers, subject matter experts, and legal counsel.
Perform research, facilitate contract negotiations, assist in vendor selection, monitor legal and regulatory requirements related to contracting, coordinate all procurement activities for complex projects.
Assist in implementing sourcing strategies to ensure sustainable cost and/or cost avoidance savings, and best value.
Interact with program staff and contract managers ensuring deliverables and performance requirements and all deadlines are met; conducts responsiveness reviews of all proposals received, research of vendors and services available, arranges and facilitates oral presentations and/or demonstrations from top scoring vendors.
Research and keep updated on industry standards and establish and maintain working relationships with vendors.
Staff training and continued development of DHHS policies and procedures.
Requirements/Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in business administration, procurement, supply/inventory operations or related field AND five years procurement experience. Experience can be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience working with requests for proposal, service contracts, especially government contracting, or federal grants. Experience in a customer service environment. Experience in recommending and applying policies, and procedures, problem resolution, coordinating projects. Skilled at multi-tasking. Ability to exercise sound independent judgment, highly motivated, and thrives in a team-oriented atmosphere. Certifications including CPPB preferred.
Other: Regular and reliable attendance required. Position is located on-site at the Nebraska State Office Building in Lincoln.
Knowledge, skills, abilities
Knowledge and proper execution of the State's policies and procedures. Knowledge of basic accounting, utilize best practices for procurement functions; ability to read and comprehend state statutes, rules and regulations, and standard operating procedures, and apply as applicable. Ability to investigate, analyze and document information to draw conclusions and yield problem resolution. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret various documents as well as the ability to train others in performing duties and tasks. Ability to use critical thinking skills and apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in various forms.Ability to apply logic to understand and interpret agency business processes. Ability to make decisions in a timely manner and prioritize multiple projects in a fast pace, deadline driven environment, utilizing input form others, as appropriate. Ability to establish and maintain effective, professional working relationships with employees, customers, and vendors. Candidates should have excellent written and oral communication skills, be detail-oriented and able to work with a wide variety of people and programs. Skills working in Microsoft suite of office applications or SharePoint also would be beneficial. Knowledge of JD Edwards Enterprise 1 system is helpful, but not essential. Knowledge of purchasing practices, organization structures, functions, policies and procedures, communications, and objectives as they relate to the management of programs and contracts; and state contracting regulations.
Benefits
We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.
Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits
Equal Opportunity Statement
The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.
Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page.