Supervisor, Procurement Specialist I Buyer, Purchasing

• Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of 2024 Best Employers in Arizona.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Job Summary:

To procure supplies, equipment and services utilized by the district; to administer and manage resulting contracts; to ensure compliance to the USFR, federal, state and local laws and district policies and procedures; to ensure district revenues are effectively utilized; to provide assistance and training to district personnel regarding the procurement process; to solve complex procurement issues; to provide documentation for an audit trail of decision making and meeting required bidding regulations; and to supervise buyer assistant and procurement clerks.

Key Responsibilities:

• Hire, assess, and oversee the performance of assigned staff members

• Develop and compose specifications, scope of work, technical questionnaires, contract terms and conditions, and pricing pages for Invitations to Bid, Requests for Proposals, Requests for Qualifications, and Requests for Quotations

• Conduct Pre-Bid/Proposal conferences and document information for addenda; develop and compose bid/proposal addenda and contract amendments; attend openings; perform product and cost evaluation; prepare tabulation of responses and a comprehensive justified award recommendation

• Review and evaluate proposals for adherence and responsiveness to RFP guidelines; negotiate contracts based on RFP requirements and submitted proposals; ensure the quality of content, format of solicitations, and contract documents, correctness of technical advice, and accuracy of mathematical calculations

• Draft responses concerning contract award decisions; contract compliance issue letters; resolve or mediate product, services, projects, and/or contractual issues

• Manage multi-year and term contracts; maintain cost containment within existing contracts; monitor contract insurance requirements, expiration, usage, and expansion terms

• Conduct extensive research to develop specifications, add potential suppliers, and reduce district costs; conduct site inspections, vendor visits, demonstrations, seminars, exhibits, and contract negotiations

• Communicate with district personnel regarding purchasing needs and responses to inquiries

• Maintain state-required recordkeeping to comply with all internal and external audit requirements; maintain proper inventory levels of warehoused items

• Assist in the strategic planning and development of departmental policies and procedures

• Maintain current knowledge of legal and business practices to stay abreast of new trends by attending and participating in professional group meetings and through memberships in related organizations

• Collaborate with department and school leaders, supervisors, and staff to align processes and procedures, while actively seeking their input; leads or participates in joint committees and working groups

• Focus on continuous improvement by analyzing data, assessing systems and timelines, and recommending adjustments to enhance procedures and strategies; provides root cause analysis and suggestions to the administration

• Identify opportunities to optimize the use of various information systems, and liaise with system representatives to stay informed on updates and explore potential improvements

• Work with administration and staff to identify ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness in assigned areas and related departmental functions

• Develop and execute both short- and long-term goals for assigned responsibilities

• Stay informed on federal and state laws and best practices relevant to the assigned area through ongoing research

• Manage special projects and perform additional tasks related to areas of responsibility as assigned by administration

• Assist with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration with specialization in Materials Management
•  CPPB or CPPO certificate highly desired
• Minimum three years’ purchasing experience 
• One to three years’ experience in a supervisory or leadership role
• Public procurement experience

Skills & Competencies:

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community
• Comprehensive knowledge of procurement practices, principles, procedures and policies; concepts of negotiation, principles and practices of administration and fiscal management
• Working knowledge of accounting, business law, theory, hands-on and common business practices related to public procurement
• Ability to analyze and interpret various state and federal laws relating to contracts; to analyze and resolve problems; to prioritize and handle several complex tasks simultaneously; and to be objective in decision making
• Ability to perform life cycle cost analysis; to be skilled in statistical and abstract data analysis, contract negotiations, programmatic/fiscal data analysis and evaluation
• Ability to effectively communicate (verbal and written) with district personnel, vendors and general public; to be tactful and diplomatic
• Comprehensive knowledge of procurement practices, principles, procedures and policies; concepts of negotiation, principles and practices of administration and fiscal management
• Knowledge of Uniform Commercial Code, Arizona Revised Statutes, Arizona School District Procurement Rules and USFR; federal and state laws, statutes, funding rules and regulations pertaining to contractual agreements; Arizona Procurement Code and Contract Law

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Primarily works in an office environment within the school district’s administrative or purchasing department
• Regular interaction with vendors, school administrators, finance teams, and other district personnel
• Occasional travel may be required for vendor meetings, school site visits, procurement conferences, or training
• Work involves handling multiple projects, deadlines, and compliance requirements.
• Mostly desk-based with frequent computer use, document review, and phone/email communication
• May involve occasional lifting (typically 10-25 pounds) of documents, office supplies, or procurement materials

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: 

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.