Contracts and Procurement Specialist

Currently seeking a Contract & Procurement Specialist-

As a Contract and Procurement Specialist, you are responsible for managing the full lifecycle of procurement and contract execution — with a strong emphasis on contract administration, compliance, risk mitigation, and vendor relationship management.

This role supports contracts with various state agencies, including the Department of Children and Families (DCF), Department of Development (DDD), Department of Health (DOH), and Department of Education (DOE). Compliance with New Jersey procurement laws, FAR, and FAR Subparts is a core requirement.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee end-to-end contract lifecycle: from award to closeout, including modifications, amendments, task orders, and performance monitoring.
• Ensure strict compliance with New Jersey procurement laws, FAR, FAR Subparts, and agency-specific regulations applicable to DCF, DDD, DOH, and DOE contracts.
• Manage disputes, protests, claims, and compliance audits — resolving them in a timely and compliant manner.
• Research, evaluate, and select reliable suppliers based on price, quality, delivery speed, and long-term value.
• Draft, review, and negotiate favorable contract terms, pricing agreements, and service level agreements (SLAs) with vendors.
• Maintain and expand the vendor database, including NJSTART platform eligibility for state and federal procurement opportunities.
• Build and sustain strong, long-term relationships with existing suppliers.
• Continuously scout the market for alternative vendors to minimize risk, improve cost efficiency, and ensure supply chain resilience.
• Monitor vendor performance and enforce contractual obligations to maintain compliance and quality.
• Identify potential contract and procurement risks, assess them, and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, industry standards, and applicable legal or governmental regulations — including New Jersey procurement laws.
• Assist with drafting, reviewing, and negotiating Requests for Proposals (RFPs) — both internal and external.
• Maintain precise documentation of all procurement actions, deliverables, and compliance reviews for audit readiness.
• Provide detailed financial reporting on contract costs, timelines, and performance metrics to Finance and Operations teams.
• Track deliverables, manage budgets, and ensure all contracts meet government quality, timeline, and cost standards.
• Must be proficient in using Oracle Fusion ERP systems, including creating and managing punchout purchasing catalogues for streamlined vendor procurement and digital purchasing processes.
• Demonstrate knowledge of how to configure, activate, and utilize punchout catalogs to integrate vendor catalogs directly into the procurement workflow — ensuring seamless, compliant, and efficient purchasing.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in procurement, contract administration, or bid management — with exposure to government contracting or state procurement regulations.
• Proficient in using Oracle Fusion ERP systems, including setting up and managing punchout purchasing for vendor procurement.
• Familiarity with contract types, bid processes, and dispute resolution mechanisms specific to state and federal agencies.
• Proficient with Microsoft programs including Excel, Teams, and Outlook.

Youth Consultation Service (YCS), is a behavioral health and social services agency that has been caring for at risk children and families since 1918 in therapeutic residences, special education schools, in-home and in-community programs throughout NJ.

YCS is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer