PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST - 76739

Executive Service

How you make a difference in this role:

As the Procurement and Contract Management Specialist, you will be responsible for executing procurement activities within an assigned portfolio of 8-12 statewide contracts for goods or services. The Specialist manages the whole contract lifecycle from the development and implementation of the procurement strategy to the execution and management of the contract. Specific activities include identifying agency needs, drafting and running the solicitation, managing and leading the state evaluation process, and conducting negotiations. In addition, the Specialist will serve as the point person for ongoing supplier and contract management activities and will utilize problem-solving skills to ensure the contract satisfies the needs of internal and external stakeholders. This position reports to the Category Team Lead. The position has a hybrid work schedule working a minimum of one day in the office, which is located in downtown Nashville on the ground floor of the Tennessee Tower near Capitol Hill. The State of Tennessee offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 401K, free parking, hybrid remote schedules, insurance, paid time off, and paid sick time. More information regarding benefits can be found at www.tn.gov/hr/employees1/benefits.html.

Key Responsibilities:

• Procures contracts for a portfolio of goods or services, utilizing a variety of procurement methods such as Requests for Proposal (RFP) and Invitations to Bid (ITB) in accordance with State policies and procedures.
• Solves common problems associated with procurement and contract management activities, including dispute resolution between agencies and suppliers. Develops solicitation specifications based on internal and external sources of information.
• Conducts pre-response conferences with suppliers to present solicitation documents and gather supplier feedback.
• Manages and leads the evaluation team and process for each procurement.
• Leads and develops a strategy for formal supplier negotiations.
• Analyzes proposed pricing to determine contract award and report savings.
• Builds and manages business relationships with agency procurement staff, central procurement teams and key suppliers to facilitate effective contract management and sourcing outcomes.
• Conducts ongoing supplier and contract management activities to ensure supplier and state compliance with contractual obligations.
• Conducts market research and benchmarking to identify appropriate opportunities to maximize cost savings and quality of procured goods or services.
• Gathers and analyzes contract expenditure data.
• Conducts regular business reviews with supplier representatives to review and discuss supplier performance, contract activities, and negotiate contract enhancements and price decreases.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completion of a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university
• Preferred Degrees: Supply Chain, Public Administration, Business Administration
• Professional procurement/sourcing/contract management experience may substitute for the degree
• Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities: Knowledge of public or private procurement or contract management program
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, particularly
• Excel Excellent organization, problem-solving, and negotiation skills
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent presentation skills
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written Knowledge of Oracle PeopleSoft or other enterprise procurement systems

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.