State Procurement Office (SPO)

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures

Main Office Location: 1400 W Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: Up to $130,000 

Grade: 29

Open Until Filled

The Chief Procurement Officer is a key leadership position within the State of Arizona, Department of Administration, State Procurement Office (SPO). This role directs and oversees a team of procurement professionals responsible for providing comprehensive procurement support and guidance to smaller state agencies, boards, and commissions with limited delegation authority.

The Chief Procurement Officer will be instrumental in ensuring efficient, compliant, and effective procurement practices within these supported entities, while also fostering the professional growth and development of their team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Team Leadership and Management: Lead, manage, and mentor a team of procurement professionals, including assigning responsibilities, setting performance expectations, providing regular feedback, and conducting performance evaluations.

Agency Support and Collaboration: Oversee the team's efforts in providing end-to-end procurement support to assigned smaller state agencies, boards, and commissions. This includes understanding their unique needs, developing procurement strategies, and facilitating the acquisition of goods and services.

Procurement Compliance and Policy Adherence: Ensure that all procurement activities conducted by the team and within the supported agencies adhere to state procurement laws, rules, regulations, policies, and best practices.

Staff Development and Career Guidance: Foster a positive and supportive work environment that encourages professional growth. Identify training needs, facilitate development opportunities, and provide career guidance to team members.

Process Improvement and Efficiency: Continuously evaluate and improve procurement processes and workflows within the team and the supported agencies to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and value for the state.

Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders within the supported agencies, as well as within the State Procurement Office and other relevant state entities.

Risk Management and Mitigation: Identify and mitigate potential procurement risks within the supported agencies, ensuring compliance and protecting the state's interests.

Reporting and Analysis: Oversee the preparation of reports and analyses on procurement activities within the supported agencies, providing insights and recommendations to leadership.

Policy Interpretation and Guidance: Serve as a subject matter expert on state procurement policies and procedures, providing interpretation and guidance to the team and supported agencies.

Strategic Alignment: Ensure the team's activities align with the overall strategic goals and objectives of the State Procurement Office.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

• Provides leadership and management to the Enterprise Procurement Services (EPS) Team, overseeing their daily operations and ensuring effective service delivery to supported agencies.
• Establishes and oversees the documentation, standards, and templates that govern procurement and solicitation processes for small and limited delegation agencies, ensuring compliance and consistency.
• Directs the team in the development, release, and evaluation of competitive solicitations, ensuring all processes comply with relevant state statutes and regulations.
• Leads and champions the State Procurement Office's (SPO) Strategic Objectives related to small and limited delegation agencies, driving continuous improvement initiatives and the application of the Arizona Management System (AMS).
• Leads the professional development of EPS team members through active mentoring and leadership, focusing on the acquisition of essential skills and professional conduct to ensure team success and contribute to the broader organizational capabilities.

Knowledge of:

• State and federal statutes and rules related to government procurement activities and contract administration.
• Strong understanding of public procurement principles and practices.
• Understanding of Lean tools and methods.
• Effective negotiation techniques.
• Methods of conducting research.
• Effective techniques of relationship management.
• Budget development and expenditure control.
• Facilitation of solicitations and techniques.
• General accounting practices as they relate to contracts and vendors.
• Supply chain, logistics, and resources management.
• Sources of supply, local and national market, and pricing trends.
• Commitment to ethical and transparent procurement practices.

Skills in:

• Interpreting applicable laws, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and leading a team of professional staff.
• Developing and implementing various sourcing strategies based on business’ strategic goals/objectives.
• Developing and maintaining procurement compliance metrics.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in1 procurement software and technology, including the Arizona Procurement Portal (APP).
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Leading various project teams and managing complex projects.

Ability to:

• Proven ability to communicate and build and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations and policies.
• Synthesize, summarize, and analyze a variety of data/sources and formulate workable recommendations.
• pose/develop simple and complex scopes of work.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive compliance management strategy.
  

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or other closely related field.
• Previous State or Public Procurement experience.
• Certification in one or more of the following: C.P.M., CPSM, CPPO, CPPB, NIGP-CPP.

• Background and reference check, including a criminal records verification

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance
  

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

• Participation in ASRS Lifetime Benefit Pension Plan after 26 weeks of employment

• If you have any questions please feel free to contact Christopher Langseth at christopher.langseth@azdoa.gov for assistance
• The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer