Assistant Director of Procurement - Child Nutrition Program

Description

Assistant Director of Procurement - Child Nutrition Program

Role Mission: IDEA’s Assistant Director of Procurement - CNP manages the department staff that facilitate the procurement of instructional materials, school furniture, and other commodities as determined by the Director of Procurement.  The Assistant Director of Procurement will oversee the RFP/Bid process and manage contracts related to specific areas of assignment and is responsible for providing support to all financial management users related to the procurement process. The Assistant Director of Procurement supports the organization’s procurement process as outlined by TEA and is committed to continuously improving processes to advance the goals of IDEA Public Schools. The vision of the Assistant Director of Procurement is to provide the highest level of customer satisfaction by facilitating the efficient acquisition of goods and services while keeping in compliance with policy and procedures.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Directly manage Procurement Analyst(s) and Procurement Administrator(s) for assigned responsibilities  

Location: ​​ This is a full-time on-site/remote position based in Texas, with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate.

Travel Expectations: Occasional travel to IDEA training events or step-backs may be required - up to 20% of the time.  

What You’ll Do – Accountabilities

Essential Duties:

Procurement Leadership: Lead and develop the Procurement Analyst and Administrator Buyer to ensure all purchasing aligns with cost, quality, and delivery targets while maintaining full compliance with IDEA policies. 

Sourcing and Vendor Management: Oversee vendor sourcing, evaluation, and negotiation to ensure 100% compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and to foster strong, strategic supplier relationships. 

RFP and Bid Management: Direct the full lifecycle of RFPs and bids—from planning through award—ensuring accurate tracking, record retention, and adherence to competitive procurement standards.

Process Improvement: Analyze data and identify opportunities to streamline procurement workflows, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency through continuous improvement and strategic initiatives. 

Process Improvement: Analyze data and identify opportunities to streamline procurement workflows, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency through continuous improvement and strategic initiatives. 

Vendor Maintenance: Maintain accurate vendor records in Tyler Munis, including required documentation (CIQ, SB9, SAM.gov, W9), correct 1099 coding, and regular vendor cleanups. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Finance, Grant Management, and campus/department leaders to resolve vendor issues, ensure regulatory compliance, and improve the overall procurement experience.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

Monitor supply continuity and communicate risks affecting operations.
Provide regular updates and reports on procurement trends, performance, and special projects.
Conduct onboarding and ongoing development for procurement staff within two weeks of hire.
Support end users through conference calls and on-site training to strengthen procurement knowledge.
Participate in weekly check-ins and financial manager user calls to align on compliance and strategy.
Attend TASBO and other professional trainings to stay current on laws and best practices.
Contribute to annual Beginning of Year committees and departmental meetings.
Assist in quarterly updates of purchasing policies, procedures, and HUB website resources.
Ensure no vendor engagement occurs with debarred entities and that all grant-related contracts meet public procurement requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills – Competencies 

Build a Culture of Trust: This team member fosters a team culture where individuals genuinely care for one another both personally and professionally. They lead with transparency, encourage open communication, including healthy conflict—and promote reliability and consistency, while regularly seeking and responding to team feedback to enhance the collective experience. 

Communicate Deliberately: This team member leads inclusive discussions that surface obstacles and drive actionable solutions, ensuring all voices are heard. They communicate key information clearly across multiple channels and establish feedback loops that promote open dialogue, collaboration, and continuous improvement. 

Grow Self and Others: This team member regularly offers affirming and adjusting feedback, maintaining a positive balance that reinforces growth and motivation. They provide transparent, candid performance insights and offer consistent coaching and development aligned with individual goals, supporting both direct reports and cross-functional partners.

Make Strategic Decisions: This team member fosters an inclusive decision-making environment by encouraging diverse perspectives, managing disagreements constructively, and creating space for all voices to be heard. They clearly communicate final decisions, providing context and anticipated impact—even when choices are difficult or unpopular. 

Manage Work and Teams: This team member builds and maintains systems to track progress toward team goals, ensuring clarity through defined roles and responsibilities. They implement structured processes that support smooth team operations and strategically allocate time and resources to drive goal achievement.

Additional Skills:

Experience with different IT databases or systems
Basic understanding of Finance
Data analysis
Microsoft Excel
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Strong contract review and negotiation skills
Exhibits and cultivate high customer service centric approach to procurement functions
Project management and task prioritization principles

Required Education and Experience:

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Business or Accounting preferred
Minimum 3 years professional-level experience in high volume, deadline critical procurement environment, preferably in school districts. 

Experience overseeing transactions and outcomes that are subject to public review and disclosure.
Experience managing multiple priorities and multiple non-exempt staff.
Substantive track record of adding value in previous positions.

Preferred Education and Experience:

Preferred Education: Master’s degree in Business Administration or Accounting

Preferred: Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Preferred: Minimum of 1 Year in a Texas Child Nutrition Program

Physical Requirements:

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment.
Must be able to read, hear, and communicate effectively in person and through electronic means.

What We Offer:

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $89,694 and $105,391, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment. 
• Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.
• * IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

Application process:

Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. 

Learn more about IDEA 

At IDEA the Staff Experience Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members.  Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values

IDEA Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability, in admission or access to, or treatment of employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the organization's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), may contact IDEA Human Resources at (956) 377-8000.