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Santa Clara Valley Water District Procurement and Contracts Manager in CA, California

Procurement and Contracts Manager

Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/scvwd/jobs/newprint/4652200)



Procurement and Contracts Manager

Salary

See Position Description

Location

CA, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

01818-E

Division

General Services

Unit

Purchasing and Consultant Contracts

Opening Date

09/10/2024

Closing Date

10/2/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

  • Description

  • Benefits

Description

Procurement and Contracts Manager

Valley Water

Annual Salary $169,250 - $216,195 DOE/DOQ

PLUS an Excellent Benefits Package!

“Providing Silicon Valley with safe, clean water

for a healthy life, environment, and economy.”

The Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) is seeking an organization-wide Procurement and Contracts Unit Manager (Manager).This position/unit is in the General Services Division, a centralized service division that also provides warehouse services, vehicle and equipment management, facilities management, and business and customer support services across the organization. Being centralized, this position will interface with multiple departments and oversee, guide, and develop a team of 13 procurement staff. Valley Water is a special district, and one of the largest water utilities in the heart of Silicon Valley.The ideal candidate could be a procurement and contracts expert from either the public or private sector, with experience in complex organizational systems, such as serving in a centralized procurement and contracts role that supports diverse product or service offerings across various divisions and departments. They will be a hands-on working manager with prior experience managing, developing, and mentoring others, an interest and passion for the job, and will function as the top procurement subject matter expert in the organization. They should be an expert in the field with a strong understanding of principles and practices of effective procurement and contracts management, preferably in California. They will balance a customer-service approach with adherence to procurement best practices. They are solution-oriented, strategic, and will effectively navigate the complexities of a union-represented workforce. The ideal candidate is also a relationship builder who drives process improvement and operates with a strong ethical framework that upholds public trust.If you are a seasoned professional in purchasing and contracts management looking to leverage your expertise in a dynamic and complex environment, apply today!

THE COMMUNITY

Home to technology giants in Silicon Valley such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, eBay, and more, Santa Clara Valley has earned the reputation around the world as the center of technology and innovation, as well as an ideal location to work, live and raise a family. Santa Clara County is roughly 50 miles south of San Francisco, 200 miles from Lake Tahoe, and 35 miles from Santa Cruz. The close proximity to beaches, mountains and city life provides a year-round calendar of exciting activities including festivals, concerts, live theatre, snow and water sports, biking, hiking, fishing, and more.

ABOUT VALLEY WATER

Valley Water serves nearly two million people in Santa Clara County, which stretches 1,300 square miles and encompasses 15 cities and unincorporated areas. The organization manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, an advanced recycled water purification center, state-of-the-art water quality laboratory, nearly 400 acres of groundwater recharge ponds, and more than 275 miles of streams.

With headquarters in San Jose, Valley Water provides wholesale water and groundwater management services to local municipalities and private water retailers who deliver drinking water directly to homes and businesses in Santa Clara County. They are a public agency with a current operating and capital budget of $964 million , a staff of over 850 employees, and is governed by the Board of Directors.

Valley Water’s current Capital Improvement Plan includes 73 projects totaling $9.55 billion. The program includes water supply, flood protection, water resources stewardship, buildings and grounds and information technology projects. Projects in the CIP will improve, repair, replace, or construct infrastructure. There are 37 Water Supply projects ($7.23 billion), 15 projects to increase flood protection ($1.94 billion), 13 environmental restoration, enhancement, and mitigation projects ($222 million), three projects to repair or maintain Valley Water buildings and grounds ($96 million), and five projects to upgrade or expand existing information technology ($66 million).Read more about Valley Water’s CIP on their website at https://www.valleywater.org/how-we-operate/five-year-capital-improvement-program

THE DEPARTMENT, DIVISION, AND PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTS UNIT

General Services (GSD) is a division within the Administrative Services Business area. GSD provides management oversight, leadership, and strategic support to Procurement and Consultant Contracts (approximately $40M in annual purchases), Construction Contracts Support, Warehouse Services, Vehicle & Equipment Management, Facilities Management (11 buildings, three water plants and 50 housing units), and Business and Customer Support Services units. The centralized Procurement and Consultant Contracts Unit consists of 13 staff, equally divided in the Purchasing and Professional Consultant Contracts sections, and has a budget of approximately $5 million.

THE POSITION

The Procurement and Contracts Manager is entrusted with leading Valley Water’s centralized procurement work, including setting policies and procedures, following rules and laws, and best practices to ensure compliance. Technically, this position serves as the highest knowledge technical expert within the organization, and is a hands-on working manager, exceptional leader, and mentor with an interest in developing others. While overseeing other staff members’ work, managing an approximate $5 million budget, and 13 team members, they will also focus on process improvement, problem solving, and ensuring a positive unit culture that promotes excellence in customer service. They will also balance adherence to procurement best practices with a customer-service focus and collaborate across the entire organization with executives and other staff.

They will also oversee contract negotiations, vendor management and communications, and ensure that they provide vendors a fair and equitable opportunity to pursue procurement contracting opportunities with Valley Water. They will also be responsible for maintaining a purchasing tracking system and administering a vendor performance evaluation system. This Manager will have a proven track record of navigating related rules and regulations and hold relevant certifications. They are passionate about the field, and will actively network with industry professionals and participate in professional associations.

Procurement and Contracts Unit Recent Accomplishments:

  • Developed a comprehensiveProcurement Manual, detailing delegation of authority and contract administration guidelines.

  • Created and implementedstandardized contract templatesfor all contract types and solicitations.

  • Successfully transitioned to anew Procurement Portal, Planet Bids, and completed the implementation of a new ERP system, which streamlines requisitioning, purchase order issuance, and contract tracking.

Upcoming Projects and Opportunities:

  • Information Technology Solutions:This person will be deeply involved in the RFP process for identifying IT solutions, as well as support the implementation of the contracts and procurement process, including education and training, related to these solutions.

  • Centralized Procurement:This position is part of Valley Water’s centralized procurement division, providing support for other contracts and procurement professionals in other departments, managing both contracts and procurement for multi-billion-dollar infrastructure upgrades over the next 10 years.

  • Small Business Enterprise Outreach:This position will enhance outreach and engagement with Small Business Enterprises to promote procurement opportunities with Valley Water.

  • Contracting Efficiencies:This position will implement strategies to improve processing times from submission to closeout of requisitions.

  • Compliance and Best Practices:This position will ensure that all procurement activities align with Valley Water’s rules and regulations, as well as industry best practices. This includes continuous monitoring and updating of procurement policies and procedures to maintain compliance and operational excellence.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will leverage their expert knowledge and experience, whether gained inpublic or private sector procurement and contracts. Most importantly, they should have a background in large, complex organizational systems and experience in a centralized procurement and contracts role, serving either diverse product or service offerings across various divisions and departments. They will also need to have a proven track record of managing and developing contracts and procurement staff; ideally with some union background (though not required). They will effectively manage competing customer needs and complex projects, while demonstrating effective communication and political acumen. The ideal candidate should also be personable, approachable, self-directed, motivated, and resilient. This Manager will be a flexible, encouraging, collaborative, and adept relationship builder. They will be enthusiastic about developing their team and fostering a positive and inclusive work culture that creates positive recruitment and retention outcomes. They have a “can do” attitude and will operate with a strong ethical framework and strive to uphold public trust.

CORE COMPETENCIESrequired in an ideal candidate include…

  • Influential Leadership:Effective at directing, persuading, and motivating others. Has a flexible working style to be an effective collaborator, empowering others, building mutual trust, fairness and honesty with their team and others, while fostering a proactive and positive organizational culture.

  • Strategic Thinking:Acts with the future in mind; has a plan and makes decisions within the framework for the organization’s strategic intent; develops and implements clear goals for the unit and aligns activities with Valley Water's mission and goals.

  • Customer Service Orientation:Remains responsive and engaged with customers; is empathetic to customer needs and continues to seek information and improvements to improve service delivery.

  • Problem-Solving and Decision-Making:Effective problem solver; is capable of making informed, strategic decisions, and demonstrates good judgement; regularly involves others as appropriate in decision making and demonstrates good balance between analyzing and solving the problem.

  • Sensitivity and Relationship Building:Understands that the primary factor in success is establishing and maintaining productive relationships; interacts with people regularly, establishes and maintains networks; values and respects the concerns and feelings of others, and communicates empathy towards others.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following combination represents the minimum training and experience requirements for this classification:

  • Education:Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.

  • Experience:Five (5) years of procurement, purchasing, and/or contracting program management experience, including two (2) years of direct supervisory experience.

  • License/Certificate Requirements:A valid California Driver’s license and an acceptable driving record upon hire.

Desired Certifications:

  • Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.), Institute of Supply Management.

  • Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC).

  • Certified Purchasing Supply Manager (CPSM), Institute of Supply Management.

  • Extensive experience in public sector procurement and contracts management in the State of California.

  • Other Purchasing and/or Supply Chain Management Certificates.

Salary and Benefits: Annual salary of $169,250 - $216,195 DOE/DOQ,PLUSan attractive benefits package that includes:

  • Health Insurance: Medical, Dental, Vision Care and EAP benefits are provided by Valley Water with no monthly premium to the employee.

  • Other Insurance: Group Life and Disability Insurance.

  • Deferred Compensation: Available to employees as an option with up to $3,000 in annual Valley Water matching contributions.

  • Flexible Spending Account:Health Care and Dependent Care Spending.

  • Vacation: Newly hired employees receive 224 hours (28 days/year) of prorated vacation.

  • Leaves: Three (3) days of bereavement leave; 24 hours of personal leave, and 32 hours of prorated management leave per fiscal year; up to 96 hours per year sick leave.

  • Holidays: 14 designated days per calendar year.

RETIREMENT

  • Defined Benefit Retirement Plan (CalPERS):TIER 1: 2.5% at 55; or TIER 2: 2% at 60,and employee contribution is 0%, Valley Water pays employee contribution of 7.25%; or TIER 3: 2% @ 62.CLICK HERE TO SEE DETAILS (https://wbcpinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/DEFINED-BENEFIT-RETIREMENT-DETAILS-VALLEY-WATER.pdf)

  • Retiree Medical - Service Credit for Prior State and Local Public Sector Employment: Valley Water provides retiree medical and health benefits to employees with 15 years of continuous Valley Water service. Retirees pay 0% towards Valley Water’s monthly premium cost for medical coverage.To satisfy the 15 year continuous service,Valley Water employees employed or hired during January 1, 2022–December 31, 2025, shall becredited for any prior employment at the State of California or any political subdivision thereof, including any city, county, or special district. To be eligible for this Service Credit, employees shall have a minimum of five (5) years of actual and continuous employment at Valley Water prior to the date of retirement with CalPERS.

Additional Information:

Employment with Valley Water requires employees to work within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.

HOW TO APPLY

For first consideration, apply by October 2nd at: wbcpinc.com/job-board/

SAVE THE DATES:

Round one interviews will take place virtually on October 21st. Finalists will move forward to in-person interviews on November 5th. Selected candidates must be available for both dates.

QUESTIONS?

Please contact either of your recruiters, Wendi Brown and Lauren Gerson, with any inquiries:

  • wendi@wbcpinc.comor lauren@wbcpinc.com

  • 866-929-WBCP (9227) toll free

  • 541-664-0376 (direct)

The Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, offers a comprehensive benefit package including, vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, EAP, life and disability insurance. In addition, Valley Water participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). To view a summary of benefits, clickhere (https://www.valleywater.org/benefits)

Agency

Santa Clara Valley Water District (CA)

Address

5750 Almaden Expressway

San Jose, California, 95118

Phone

1-408-630-2260

Website

https://www.valleywater.org

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