Procurement Agent Senior - Services and Commodities

About the role

Contracting and Procurement is seeking a Procurement Agent Senior to join the Services and Commodities Procurement Team in support of the acquisition of services, commodities, rolling stock, and heavy equipment at the departmental and citywide levels. This position reports to the Services and Commodities Procurement Manager and is responsible for performing all aspects of formal and informal procurement and contracting activities related to the procurement of services, goods, commodities, heavy equipment, and rolling stock for the City of Charlotte. This position will work closely with the Services and Commodities Procurement Manager in coordinating and performing all aspects of procurement and contracting activities, as well as contract management and contract administration tasks for citywide services and commodities contracts. The Services and Commodities Procurement Agent Senior will also assist in ensuring vendor compliance with contract reporting requirements related, but not limited to, utilization and reporting, timely and accurate invoicing, and customer service. Major Duties and Responsibilities: Facilitates procurement and contracting activities from intake to execution for services and commodities. Performs all procurement activities with the highest level of integrity, utilizing statutory guidelines, policies, procedures, and best business practices. Develops solicitation documents and facilitates informal and formal solicitation processes as required. Identifies potential risk areas and devises solutions for risk mitigation by developing a collaborative relationship with City Legal, Risk Management, Internal Audit and other peripheral departments and major stakeholders. Coordinates all post-solicitation activities to include vendor notification and debriefing, post-award conferences, as well as managing all dispute resolution and protest issues. Prepares all necessary documents for requesting City Council approval for contract award, attends Council meetings for or with requesting departments as official procurement representative. Performs contract administration, monitoring and reporting as may be required. Provides consultation on activities that impact procurement processes, including contracting decisions, project planning, requirements development, and scope development. Interfaces at all organizational levels to accomplish contracting objectives to optimize procurement challenges, implement process improvements, initiate cost savings measures, and secure best value products, solutions, and relationships. Performs in-depth research, fact finding, informal requests for information and other due diligence as may be required to support project requirements and contracting strategies. Responsible for proactively forecasting and managing all project assignments and keeping systems updated related to project tracking. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Requires in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with the solicitation and procurement of services, goods and commodities, including project management, solicitation and contract drafting, negotiation, execution, contract administration, and grant requirements. Previous public procurement purchasing experience required Excellent critical thinking and problem solving skills Ability to clearly communicate thoughts and ideas orally and in writing Ability to manage numerous projects simultaneously Requires knowledge of local, state, federal, cooperative procurement exemptions and contracting methodologies Ability to function with minimal supervision & across multiple procurement disciplines Strong customer service and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate, establish, and maintain effective working relationships Attention to detail and accuracy of work Advanced knowledge of MS Office applications