Procurement Manager

Hamilton County Schools, located in Chattanooga, TN, is working to ensure that all students thrive and experience a future without limits.  We are committed to excellence for every student and are seeking outstanding leaders, teachers, support staff, and district employees who desire to make a difference in the lives of students. With nearly 75 schools, we are confident that you can find your place in Hamilton County. 

Learn more about working for Hamilton County Schools at careers.hcde.org and get to know us and our strategic plan, Opportunity 2030.

The purpose of this classification is to plan, develop, organize, process, and manage district procurement operations and staff under the direction of the Director of Procurement. 

Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out but may be considered incidental in the performance of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties herein described. 

• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, leads, and evaluates work performed by purchasing staff to ensure all work is completed in a timely, accurate, compliant, and ethical manner. 
• Creates and coordinates training for purchasing staff, internal departmental staff, and external end users. 
• Prepares and maintains department Standard Operating Procedures with Director of Procurement approval. 
• Develop and implement purchasing strategies to the benefit of the District and under the guidance of the Procurement Director.  
• Processes solicitations from project initiation to closeout. 
• Conducts contract negotiation activities. 
• Monitors and manages the contract database, ensuring contract renewals and re-solicitations are conducted in a timely manner. 
• Processes requisition requests submitted in accordance with agency, state, federal, local, and other applicable regulations. 
• Advises and provides technical assistance to staff in operating departments and schools on procurement policies and procedures, as well as State and Federal procurement laws. 
• Manages proper hardcopy and digital records in accordance with applicable state laws and agency-established policies. 
• Prepares Department Board Agenda and manages Board-approved items and tasks. 
• Understands and maintains up-to-date knowledge of local, state, and federal purchasing regulations as they pertain to the District. 
• Acts as backup and assists the Procurement Director on an as-needed basis. 
• Responds to emails and phone calls from vendors and interacts with various employees in a timely manner to keep orders moving smoothly. 
• Manages, facilitates, and executes the development and implementation of complicated procurement transactions and projects. 
• Reviews specifications for requests for bids; plans, develops, and coordinates procurement documents and bid evaluation instruments; and maintains contracting records. 
• Researches and evaluates suppliers, based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production, and distribution capabilities. 
• Communicates with vendors and staff to resolve discrepancies, disputes, and grievances. 
• Locates or identifies ordering errors and chooses the best solution to address the issue. 
• Monitors changes affecting supply and demand, tracking market conditions, price trends, or futures markets. 
• Manages, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processes employee concerns and problems, directs work, counsels, disciplines, and completes employee performance appraisals; coordinates staff development and training activities. 
• Coordinates daily work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise. 
• Communicates through the proper channels to keep director and other appropriate personnel informed of impending problems or events of unusual nature. 
• Consults with the Director of Procurement and other staff officials to review department operations/activities, review/resolve problems. Receive advice/direction, and provide recommendations.  
• Coordinate and trains on financial computer hardware/software; troubleshoots purchasing related system concerns; participates in software upgrades to the extent necessary to ensure successful purchasing performance through designated systems.  
• Complies with accounting and financial policies and procedures involving the handling of money and property, as well as other Board policies. 
• Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed. 
• Attends meetings as needed. 
• Travels to school locations and other locations throughout the district to perform job duties. 
• Prepares or completes various documents, reports, and correspondence as required. 
• Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, typing documents, making copies, sending/receiving faxes, filing documentation, processing incoming/outgoing mail, or running errands. 
• Operates a computer to research, organize, compose, and design press releases and various public information and education materials. 
• Operates other technology devices and uses a variety of social media platforms to perform essential functions of job. 
• Complies with applicable district, state, and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures. 
• Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law.  
• Acts in a professional, respectful, and welcoming manner at all times. 
• Creates a customer-focused climate and provides quality services and support to schools, community, businesses, Superintendent of Schools, Board of Education, and other stakeholders. 
• Works collaboratively with all stakeholders. 
• Follows established procedures to ensure assigned areas are safe. 
• Maintains confidentiality. 
• Attends work and arrives to work on time. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Education, Experience, and Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field; 
• Four (4) years of professional experience in purchasing and procurement; 
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience preferred; 
• Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), Certified Public Manager (CPM), or Certified Procurement Professional (CPP) designation preferred. Or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Excellent planning, organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, and time management skills. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to deal effectively with employees, vendors, Board members, staff, and others outside Hamilton County Schools.    
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) 
• Ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. 
• Ability to assess a problem or issue and determine the appropriate action to resolve.  

Compensation

Salary is based on a combination of relevant education and experience. 
Grade: K

Salary Scale