Purchaser VI - IT

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. Procurement and Contracting Services is looking for a Purchaser VI. Performs highly advanced (senior level) purchasing and procurement work. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Employees at this level may be considered technical experts in the field and may work on multiple complex purchasing projects simultaneously. Provides oversight on complex IT procurement work, as well as performing and overseeing high-impact purchases, including Shared Technology Services (STS) procurement requests. May facilitate the development and continuous improvement of departmental systems. Train and/or mentor entry and journey-level purchasers. Be proactive and anticipate needs, analyze data, and solve procurement issues before they become problems and require management’s intervention. Works within a fluid and ever-changing operating environment. Confers with program staff and vendors regarding procurement matters and use independent judgment to advise internal and external customers. Interact and coordinate with the customer to define specific procurement specifications and develop the appropriate business solutions.

Requirements

Expert knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations governing state purchasing.
Expert knowledge of IT purchasing and procurement methods and procedures.
Expert knowledge of state of Texas procurement principles and practices assigned IT commodity items and supply sources.
Expert skill in the use of computers and applicable software.
Expert skill in problem solving, including asking appropriate questions and identifying resources to obtain necessary information.
Demonstrated ability to logically assemble and evaluate information.
Demonstrated ability to maintain a system of required record keeping.
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing.
Demonstrated ability to schedule, prioritize, monitor, and complete multiple assignments timely.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team.
Demonstrated ability to act in a sound, logical, proactive and appropriate manner based on well thought out analysis of situations or problems.
Must be detail oriented.
Must be able to work in a fast-paced work environment with competing priorities.
Must provide customer service excellence.
Experience Required - A minimum of 3 years of purchasing, procurement, or contract management experience.
Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) - certification must be obtained within 6 months of hire.

Nice To Haves

Two of those years doing IT procurement, preferred.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is preferred with a major in business, public administration, finance or a related field. Experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis. State of Texas agency experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversees or initiates the purchase of large scope and high-dollar and highly technical contracts for goods and services using the most applicable and cost-effective purchasing methods based on laws, rules, policies and established guidelines, including Shared Technology Services (STS) procurement requests. Develops and oversees the development of solicitations, bid evaluation instruments and other related documents; identifies provider resources, evaluates information provided by bidders, and negotiates contract specifications; post award conferences, and evaluation scoring; processes requisitions in an automated environment and reviews requisitions for completeness and compliance with applicable requirements prior to processing solicitations; reviews assigned requisitions; research vendors for products and services; prepares, reviews, and facilitates the procurement process; monitors legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to purchasing; Uses automated procurement systems.
Identifies purchasing related issues and works with management, requesters, subject matter experts, stakeholders, agency staff, and other purchasing staff to manage issues; responds to phone and e-mail inquiries from requesters and other staff regarding the status of requisitions; supports Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) outreach and participates in procurement related events; provides assistance to requesters in drafting competitive specifications for commodities and services.
Prepares or oversees the preparation and distribution of competitive solicitations to vendors; recommends and makes contract awards and suggests additional content for contracts when appropriate.
Performs other duties as assigned such as participating in or providing support for the agency’s disaster response and recovery obligations or Business Continuity Plan activation.