Under the direction of the Chief Procurement Officer or Deputy Chief Procurement Officer, the Senior Contract Buyer is responsible for the procurement of a wide variety of complex operating and capital funded services, materials, and equipment in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and Pace policies and procedures. Job duties include:
Creating purchase orders and change orders and analyzing bids/proposals.
Conducting complex cost and price analyses.
Conducting research.
Preparing documents to present to executive management and the Pace Board of Directors.
Facilitating contract negotiations.
Collaborating with Pace personnel on contract administration and developing scopes of work.
Recommending contract termination; educating and assisting others regarding the application of Pace procurement procedures and FTA rules.
Conducting RFP evaluation committees.
Gathering and submitting documents responsive to Freedom of Information Act requests.
Addressing contract compliance issues; mentoring junior buyers, as needed; and
Performing other duties as assigned or required.
This position is subject to the provisions set forth in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 (c) of the State Officials and Employee Ethics Act.
Qualifications
Education:
Qualified candidate must have a bachelor's degree in business or related field.
Experience:
Must have three or more years of senior mid-level public procurement/contracting experience with increasing responsibility; Prior transit procurement experience is preferred.
Certifications:
Certified Public Purchasing Buyer (CPPB) or Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) from the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) or ISM certification is preferred.
Proficiencies:
Must have an aptitude for comprehending rules, policies, regulations, and requirements including the Brooks Act and the Davis-Bacon Act, and correctly applying them to each procurement.
Must have the demonstrated ability to work independently, efficiently, and successfully on numerous projects simultaneously in order to meet deadlines.
Must possess and demonstrate excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills. Must be detail oriented with a demonstrated aptitude for mathematics. Must have effective problem-solving skills, make sound decisions, and maintain confidentiality.
Must be customer service oriented, demonstrating initiative, and dependability.
Must be able to handle confidential matters with professionalism, maintaining confidentiality.
Must have intermediate level proficiency with Microsoft suite applications including Outlook, Word, and Excel and with ERP systems including Oracle and People Soft.
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to sit for extended periods of time, type on a computer, and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Working Conditions:
The position is based in an office setting with standard office equipment, although travel to work sites may be required infrequently. The typical workday is conducted over an 8-hour period and can begin as early as 7:00 am and end no later than 6:00pm, Monday through Friday.
This position is eligible for hybrid schedule after successful completion of 6-month job introduction period. The position is subject to revolving door provisions of the Illinois State Officials and Employees Ethics Act.
