Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Under general direction, supervises and directs the work of professional and support staff engaged in the procurement of materials, supplies, equipment and services for the organization.

Essential job functions are fundamental, core functions common to positions in a classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are designed to be descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents may complete one or all of the job duties listed or tasks of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Supervises the day-to-day operations and projects of the Procurement Division and the computerized ERP system; assigns, directs and reviews the work of professional and support personnel; ensures that the procurement of goods and services complies with the District’s Purchasing Act and internal policies.
• Develops, refines and recommends improvements to purchasing policies and procedures in accordance with statutory requirements, industry trends and good business practices.
• Coordinates procurement activities with other departments, including supervision of procurement liaisons; provides interpretation of procurement policies and procedures; assists departments in preparing highly technical and complex specifications, scopes of work and qualifications requirements.
• Directs the disposition and/or destruction of surplus, obsolete and worn out supplies, materials and equipment.
• Evaluates and analyzes highly technical and complex competitive sealed bids, competitive sealed proposals and requests for statement of interest/qualifications.
• Engages in competitive negotiations with consultants for highly technical and complex projects regarding scope of work, prices and terms and conditions.
• Recommends and implements suggested enhancements or modifications to the ERP system for Procurement; supervises the testing of suggested enhancements or modifications and recommends the changes be incorporated in the production system; provides support services for information systems used to facilitate purchasing activities.
• Assists with establishing standard contract clauses for use in contracts, solicitations, and purchase orders.
• Processes any changes orders to contracts, purchase orders or agreements.
• Assigns, supervises and reviews work; ensures staff compliance with District policies and procedures including Personnel Rules and Administrative Procedures; completes performance reviews; addresses employee complaints and grievances; may recommend employment actions such as hiring, transfer, suspension, promotion or discharge.

• Conducts and/or assists bid and request for proposal openings as required.
• Establishes, maintains and disseminates guides, manuals and other documents regarding procurement policies and procedures.
• Develops and conducts internal and external procurement training.
• Prepares reports and correspondence.
• Assists in the resolution of invoice discrepancies, contacts vendors to follow up on purchase orders issues, and expedites delivery as required.
• Serves as a liaison between District users and suppliers of goods and services; resolves quality discrepancies, contacts users regarding substitutions, provides product or service advice; arranges for demonstrations and interviews salespersons.
• Assumes the duties of the Assistant Director of Procurement and Materials Management in his absence.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work is performed in a typical office environment and requires the use of standard office equipment including computers.

• Thorough knowledge of generally accepted purchasing principles, practices, procedures, and statutory requirements applicable to large scale governmental purchasing.
• Thorough knowledge of contract development and administration.
• Thorough knowledge of supply sources for a wide variety of materials, supplies and equipment utilized by the District.
• Considerable knowledge of recent developments, current literature and sources of information in governmental purchasing.
• Skill in performing mathematical computations and tabulations related to the procurement function.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Ability to use computer systems and applications related to the procurement function.
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of a section or other organizational unit.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

Graduation from a four-year accredited college or university majoring in business or public administration, engineering, or allied science and six years of experience in the large-scale purchasing of materials, supplies, and equipment as a prime duty.

Additional experience in the large-scale purchasing of materials, supplies, and equipment as a prime duty may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. Graduate study in business or public administration may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of two years.

• One year of service with the District as a Supervising Buyer or Senior Buyer.
• Civil service status as a Supervising Buyer or Senior Buyer.