Purchasing Manager

POSITION TITLE: Purchasing Manager
DEPARTMENT: Purchasing
LOCATION: Longview
REPORTS TO: Assistant Tribal Manager
FLSA STATUS: Exempt; Full-time
WAGE RANGE: $105,664.00 - $126,776.00 per year

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position Summary:

Oversees the Purchasing department within the Cowlitz Indian Tribe (CIT). Administers the procurement process to ensure the timely and cost-effective acquisition of goods and services needed to support CIT. Develops and implements purchasing strategies, negotiates contracts with suppliers, develops policies and procedures, and maintains strong vendor relationships to secure favorable terms and high-quality products. Monitors market trends, evaluates supplier performance, and ensures compliance with applicable tribal, federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Maintains professionalism in all interactions with internal and external customers, and honors and represent the mission, vision, and values of CIT.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Oversees the Purchasing department within the Cowlitz Indian Tribe (CIT).
• Administers the procurement process to ensure the timely and cost-effective acquisition of goods and services needed to support CIT.
• Develops and implements purchasing strategies, negotiates contracts with suppliers, develops policies and procedures, and maintains strong vendor relationships to secure favorable terms and high-quality products.
• Works with the Legal department and Administration department on reviewing contract packets for required documents.
• Monitors market trends and evaluates supplier performance.
• Analyzes inventory needs, optimizes supply chain efficiency, and collaborates with internal teams to align procurement activities with organizational goals and budgets.
• Manages the purchasing department staff.
• Improves staff effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining team members; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; integrating functional objectives; and providing and participating in educational opportunities.
• Hosts regular staff meetings and trainings to ensure communication among team and about purchasing matters.
• Develops or utilizes existing software to track all purchases and expenditures.
• Performs assignments related to purchasing assigned by Tribal Administration.
• Assists in preparing monthly reports for CIT leadership, Tribal Council, and other stakeholders.
• Achieves financial objectives by assisting in preparing annual budgets and budget modifications, and by exercising control and implementation over the departmental budgetary processes.
• Processes receipts and expenditures for all departments.
• Maintains compliance with applicable local/state/federal/tribal laws, regulations, policies, and best practices.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in seminars, educational workshops, classes, and conferences.
• Maintains strict confidentiality.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of traditional forms of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of purchasing department organization, functions, objectives, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county and local laws, regulations, and requirements related to purchasing, procurement, and accounting.
• Knowledge, understanding, and/or willingness to learn about Cowlitz culture and customs.
• Knowledge of the CIT tribal constitution, tribal codes, tribal resolutions, and council directives.
• Skill in operating various word-processing, spreadsheet and database software programs in a Windows environment.
• Strong skill in written and verbal communication.
• Skill in preparing, reviewing, and analyzing operational and financial reports.
• Skill in supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff.
• Skill in purchasing and procurement processes for a tribal or other government.
• Skill working with and evaluating vendors and supplies.
• Skill in contract management.
• Skill in making effective decisions in emergency situations.
• Ability to lead teams, manage workloads, and supervise multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to analyze program needs, forecast funding requirements, and resolve compliance or budget issues.
• Ability to manage budgets and maintain financial records.
• Ability to maintain and handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, business administration, finance, management, public administration, or a related field.
• 7 years of professional experience in the management of procuring goods and services, preferably for a government.
• 3 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in coordinating cross-departmental activities and facilitating communication between various departments.
• Familiarity with budget management and financial reporting.
• Experience working in tribal organizations.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may also be acceptable.
• May be asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
• Valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening / investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements:

• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and communicate effectively. The employee occasionally is required to move throughout the facility; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and clarity of vision at long distance.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in an office setting with a moderate noise level. Evening and/or weekend work may be required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common. Travel may be required for training, meetings, conferences, presentations, and other events.

Salary : $105,664 - $126,776