Category And Vendor Management Director

Position Description

About Harris County Purchasing Department:

Accountability, Ethics, Impartiality, Professionalism, Service, Transparency

• The Purchasing Department is created for the purpose of providing a "checks and balances" system for expenditure of public funds. The Purchasing Department strives to maintain consistent and open communication with the vendor community and the various supported County departments and agencies.

• Every effort is made to operate in an efficient and economical manner consistent with existing laws and sound business practices.

What you will do atHarris County Purchasing Department:

Harris County Purchasing Department is seeking an experienced, motivated, and resourceful Category and Vendor Management Director.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Assistant Purchasing Agent, the Category and Vendor Management Director will determine long-term strategies for managing categories of spend within the Purchasing department. The CVM Director utilizes insights from Spend Analytics and translates them into tangible targets to improve cost and maximize the value delivered to departments and Harris County constituents. Individuals in this position are also responsible for forecasting, strategic planning, setting policies, and providing direction to management and staff to achieve the objectives of category and vendor management strategies, vendor evaluation, and vendor selection.

This role requires excellent leadership, diplomacy, communication, and decision-making abilities to ensure a seamless flow of operations within the department.

Essential Functions and Duties:

• Performance Management: Directs the Purchasing Department in defining Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), identifying Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and determining additional performance objectives for categories and vendors. Designs market analysis and sourcing strategy programs with reporting tools for monitoring and measuring the efficiency of category and vendor management.

• Communication and Collaboration: Establishes and manages business relationships with various departments that utilize Harris County Purchasing services. Collaborates closely with Sourcing and Procurement leads to outline and implement long-term strategies for assigned categories.

• Compliance and Quality Assurance: Ensures adherence to Harris County's compliance standards, policies, and procedures.

• Process Improvement: Reviews, approves, and creates programs and strategies to promote continuous improvement.

• Vendor Management: Conducts vendor risk assessments and manages relationships to develop a vendor segmentation approach within Harris County.

• Leadership and Management: Offers guidance and supervision to the Category and Vendor Management staff and other Harris County entities in purchasing-related areas. Conducts assessments, fosters development, and provides coaching and motivation to cultivate a high performing team.

• Strategic Planning: Develops and implements a strategic category analysis plan that outlines departmental best practices, establishes clear expectations and guidelines, and identifies areas for growth and improvement.

• Additional Responsibilities:Perform other duties as directed by the course and scope of the job.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in directly related field from an accredited college or university

• Ten (10) years of relevant work experience (i.e. procurement, supply chain management, business administration, or related fields)

• Five (5) years of supervisory or managerial experience

OR

• Associate degree in directly related field from an accredited college or university

• Twelve (12) years of relevant work experience (i.e. procurement, supply chain management, business administration, or related fields)

• Five (5) years of supervisory or managerial experience

Knowledge Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Category Management and Vendor Management practices, theories, and policies.

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Suite programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Skilled in planning, implementing, improving, and evaluating programs, policies, and procedures.

• Excellent analytical, decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.

• Excellent managerial, diplomacy, and communication skills.

• Ability to manage high-value categories and vendors.

• Ability to establish strong relationships and influence peers and key stakeholders.

• Ability to plan, track progress, manage change, build consensus, and motivate team members across multiple projects.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation butONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume"will not be accepted for qualifications.

General Information

Position Type, Hours and Salary:

• Regular | Full-Time

• Monday

• Friday from 8 am to 5 pm | 40 hours per week

• Occasional weekends, holidays, and overtime may be required based on the specific needs and demands of the department.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports To Position: Assistant Purchasing Agent

• Strategic Purchasing

Supervises Positions: Category Manager, Vendor Manager, Department Engagement Manager

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• This position is based in an office environment, where the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, scanners, and filing cabinets is routine.

• The physical demands associated with this job are minimal, with occasional lifting and moving of objects weighing up to 10 pounds.

• The role is predominantly sedentary, involving mainly sitting with occasional standing and walking.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.