Deputy Chief Procurement Officer

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Your Partner For A Stronger Arizona.

DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision: A thriving Arizona.

DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life.

DEPUTY CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER

Job Location:

Division of Financial Operations

Office of Procurement

1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Posting Details:

Salary: $108,000 - $120,000 Annually

Grade: 26

Closing Date: June 28, 2024

Job Summary:

Would you like to be a part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES), we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals who are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES, please visit des.az.gov; or click on the link here to view 'Our DES' video. Come Join the DES Team!

DES is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as Deputy Chief Procurement Officer for the Division of Financial Operations, Office of Procurement. This position oversees the Department's complex and highly visible Procurement Operations, and serves as the Department's main liaison for Statewide workgroups and initiatives with senior leaders. Through authority delegated by the Chief Procurement Officer, the Deputy Chief Procurement Officer has the authority to sign and execute Interagency Service Agreements (ISA), Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA), thousands of procurement code-exempt contracts, and other delegations issued to the remainder of the Office of Procurement team members. This position drafts protest decisions for legal review on behalf of the Chief Procurement Officer and acts as the Chief Procurement Officer as needed and appropriate, and may lead statewide initiatives including procurements or process improvement initiatives that benefit the entire State in close collaboration with the State Procurement Office.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State's Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Training and instructing procurement team members on procurement subject matter, standard work, standard processes, and interpretation of the Arizona Procurement Code.

• Coaches and mentors both direct and indirect reports to ensure the overall Procurement team is successful.

• Participates in cross-agency workgroups intended to problem solve and define Statewide purchasing and procurement policy.

• Leads standard work adjustments as policies shift and best practices are identified to improve the work of the administration.

• Learns from every procurement lead by the Department and looks for opportunities for creative solutions to issues facing the agency.

• Serves as a technical expert for the administration, developing draft decisions in response to procurement protests on behalf of the Chief Procurement Officer.

• Works closely with the Attorney General's Office on legal review of the decisions and troubleshoots nuanced problems.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• State and Federal statutes and rules related to government procurement activities and contract administration.

• Arizona Procurement Code, current procurement best practices, processes, and procedures.

• Supply chain, logistics, and resource management.

• Budget development and expenditure control

• Contemporary service programs and delivery systems in public agencies.

• Solicitation techniques.

• Procurement software applications.

• Accounting and business law as they apply to purchasing and contracts.

• Local and national markets and marketing practices for goods and services; and pricing trends.

Skills in:

• Coaching, mentoring, teaching, and leading teams.

• Project management and implementation; and developing and implementing various sourcing strategies based upon the business's strategic goals and objectives.

• Interpreting applicable laws, rules, policies, and procedures.

• Conducting data analysis to produce effective and accountable contracts. Developing and maintaining client and supplier relationships.

• Overseeing a procurement operation.

• Negotiating complex contractual terms and conditions

• Communicating effectively with a wide range of customers, internal stakeholders at all levels, and suppliers.

• Interpreting business issues, determining impacts and potential conflicts, and recommending solutions/best practices.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing strategies.

• Make sound decisions and build consensus.

• Communicate effectively and educate departmental leaders on procurement methods and strategies.

• Develop and implement various monitoring strategies to ensure accountability.

• Lead teams both within and outside of the procurement chain of command.

• Effectively negotiate contract terms and conditions to optimize state expenditures and Return on Investment (ROI).

• Synthesize, summarize, and analyze a variety of data/sources and formulate workable recommendations.

• Maintain confidentiality of purchasing and procurement details throughout all steps of the process.

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• A minimum of five (5) years of professional procurement experience, including overseeing procurement activities in a high-volume government procurement section; this experience should include contract administration and contract writing.

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or a related field.

• Governmental supply chain certifications are preferred.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver's license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver's license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

• Successfully pass background and reference check; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the Agency's ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.

• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans

• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans

• 10 paid holidays per year

• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years

• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).

• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly

• Deferred compensation plan

• Wellness plans

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Stipend Opportunities

• Infant at Work Program

• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy

• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities

• Flexible schedules to create a work/life balance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State-sponsored retirement contribution plan, and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS-defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines, and effective dates.

Contact Us:

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Rose Ibe at (928) 225-4382 or RIbe@azdes.gov.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting (928) 225-4382 or RIbe@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.