Director of Procurement

POSITION SUMMARY

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO), New Orleans, Louisiana, provides care, custody, control, and rehabilitation of inmates and is committed to providing the highest level of service and security to court systems, executing court mandates, and protecting individual rights and freedoms. This mission is achieved through innovative leadership, effective programs, and the dedication of OPSO employees.

The Director of Procurement and Strategic Sourcing will provide executive leadership and oversight of the agency’s procurement, purchasing, strategic sourcing, contracting, inventory control, and surplus property functions.

The Director is responsible for developing and implementing procurement strategies that support the agency’s operational and strategic objectives while ensuring the highest standards of integrity, transparency, fiscal responsibility, competition, and legal compliance. The position oversees the acquisition of goods and services, including professional services, construction, information technology, medical and food services, fleet and equipment, facility maintenance, security systems, public safety resources, and other operational needs.

The Director serves as the agency’s principal procurement advisor and works collaboratively with executive leadership, Finance, Legal, department heads, project managers, vendors, and governmental partners to ensure efficient, compliant, and cost-effective procurement practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Procurement Leadership and Strategy

• Direct and oversee all purchasing and procurement activities for OPSO.
• Develop and implement long-range procurement and strategic sourcing strategies aligned with agency priorities.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve procurement policies, procedures, approval authorities, and internal controls.
• Promote fairness, transparency, competition, fiscal accountability, and best value throughout the procurement process.
• Lead procurement modernization initiatives, including technology, automation, electronic procurement, and process improvements.
• Serve as the agency’s subject-matter expert and principal advisor on procurement matters.

Competitive Procurement

Plan, manage, evaluate, negotiate, and administer competitive and non-competitive procurements, including:

• Invitations for Bid (IFBs)
• Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
• Requests for Qualifications (RFQs)
• Requests for Information (RFIs)
• Competitive negotiations
• Sole-source and emergency procurements
• Cooperative purchasing agreements
• State and governmental contracts
• Piggyback purchasing
• Reverse auctions, where appropriate
• Develop clear, legally sufficient, and operationally appropriate specifications that promote competition and support agency requirements.
• Coordinate evaluation committees while maintaining procurement integrity, confidentiality, and compliance with established procedures. Prepare procurement recommendations and award documentation for appropriate executive approval.

Contract Administration

• Oversee the full lifecycle of agency contracts, including professional services, construction, technology, medical services, food services, security systems, facility maintenance, fleet, capital improvements, consulting services, commodities, equipment leasing, cooperative agreements, and grant-funded procurements.

• Monitor vendor and contractor performance.
• Ensure compliance with contract terms, specifications, and service requirements.
• Manage contract renewals, amendments, extensions, and close-outs.
• Identify and address performance issues, contractual risks, and compliance concerns.
• Maintain accurate and complete procurement and contract records.

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management

Ensure procurement activities comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, funding requirements, and agency policies, including applicable:

• Louisiana Public Bid Law
• Louisiana Procurement Code
• Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics
• Louisiana Public Records Law
• Louisiana Open Meetings Law, where applicable
• Federal Uniform Guidance, including 2 CFR Part 200
• Applicable state and local purchasing requirements
• State and cooperative purchasing contracts
• Grant procurement requirements
• Other applicable regulatory and accreditation standards
• Coordinate with Legal Counsel regarding procurement protests, disputes, contract interpretation, and compliance matters.
• Identify procurement risks and implement appropriate controls to protect agency resources. Support internal and external audits and ensure procurement documentation is complete, accurate, and audit-ready.

Strategic Sourcing and Cost Management

Develop and implement sourcing strategies designed to:

• Increase competition and vendor participation.
• Improve procurement cycle times and operational efficiency.
• Leverage agency purchasing power.
• Reduce costs and total cost of ownership.
• Standardize purchasing practices.
• Improve contract utilization and vendor performance.
• Identify cooperative and regional purchasing opportunities.
• Promote responsible and effective vendor relationships.

Financial, Inventory, and Asset Oversight

• Collaborate with Finance and agency leadership to develop annual procurement plans, monitor purchasing activity, and support responsible fiscal management.
• Provide oversight and direction for inventory control, asset accountability, surplus property, and disposal processes to ensure accurate records, minimize waste, and maximize the useful life and value of agency assets.

Policy, Process, and Organizational Development

• Develop and maintain comprehensive procurement policies and procedures.
• Establish purchasing authority, approval thresholds, and delegation requirements.
• Develop standards for emergency purchasing, contract administration, vendor relations, ethics, records retention, inventory management, and surplus property.
• Establish procurement performance measures and regularly report results to executive leadership.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and operational efficiencies.
• Provide procurement guidance, training, and support to agency departments and employees.

Leadership and Staff Management

• Lead, supervise, develop, and evaluate procurement and purchasing personnel.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability standards.
• Build a high-performing, customer-focused procurement function.
• Foster collaboration among Procurement, Finance, Legal, Operations, and agency leadership.
• Promote ethical conduct, professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Procurement, Accounting, Law, Engineering, Logistics, or a closely related field.
• A master’s degree is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible purchasing, procurement, strategic sourcing, or contract administration experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory or management experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex competitive procurements and contracts.
• Government or public-sector procurement experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience in corrections, public safety, healthcare, higher education, municipal government, state government, or another large public agency is highly desirable.
• Experience managing high-dollar procurements, including procurements exceeding $1 million, is preferred.

PREFERRED CERTIFICATIONS

One or more of the following certifications is preferred:

• Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO)
• Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)
• NIGP Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP)
• Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM)
• Louisiana public procurement certification or equivalent professional credential

KNOWLEDGE

Comprehensive knowledge of:

• Public-sector procurement principles and practices
• Louisiana procurement requirements and public bid laws
• Competitive solicitation methods
• Contract development and administration
• Strategic sourcing and supplier management
• Professional services and construction procurement
• Cooperative purchasing and governmental contracts
• Grant-funded procurement and federal requirements
• Public finance and governmental auditing
• Procurement ethics and internal controls
• Inventory and asset management
• Vendor performance and contract compliance
• Public records and documentation requirements

Knowledge of procurement operations within a correctional or public safety environment is highly desirable.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Exceptional leadership and organizational management skills.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret statutes, regulations, contracts, policies, and technical procurement documents.
• Strong financial, budgeting, and cost-analysis capabilities.
• Ability to manage complex, high-dollar, and time-sensitive procurements.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and work effectively with executive leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• Strong judgment and decision-making abilities.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical judgment.
• Ability to establish effective relationships with vendors, contractors, government agencies, and internal stakeholders.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Ethical Leadership
• Strategic Procurement
• Fiscal Stewardship
• Accountability
• Contract Administration
• Risk Management
• Operational Excellence
• Strategic Sourcing
• Customer Service
• Collaboration
• Continuous Improvement
• Transparency
• Sound Judgment

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily in an office environment within a secure correctional facility. The position may require travel to vendor locations, warehouses, construction sites, government offices, and professional conferences.

Availability outside normal business hours may occasionally be required to address emergencies, critical operational needs, or major procurement activities.

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, 

handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move office products and supplies, up to 15-20 pounds

WHY JOIN OPSO?

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is undertaking a comprehensive modernization of its operational, financial, and administrative infrastructure. The Director of Procurement and Strategic Sourcing will play a critical leadership role in transforming procurement practices, strengthening internal controls, increasing operational efficiency, improving vendor and contract management, and ensuring the responsible stewardship of public resources in support of public safety.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting, developing, and retaining a highly qualified workforce dedicated to public service. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.