Purchasing & Contracts Division Manager

Purchasing & Contracts Division ManagerSalary: $6,165 - $8,506/Monthly      Apply on-line at www.bellevuewa.gov not later than: September 22, 2008   General InformationThe City of Bellevue's Finance Department is currently recruiting for a full-time Division Manager to oversee the Procurement Services Division which is made up of the Contracting Services and Purchasing work groups.  This position works under the direction and general guidance of an Assistant Director and in accordance with sound business principles, applicable statutes, regulations and legally mandated reporting standards.  This position  is responsible for resolving interdepartmental or interagency procedural problems or other issues of financial control, purchasing and contracting processes which have a direct impact on the City’s credibility and legal compliance. The incumbent is responsible for making decisions regarding the performance of the duties of the division staff as well as having a substantial responsibility for the interface with automated IT applications pertaining to purchasing and contracting. This position may be called upon to explain, interpret or present City laws and policies to City staff, elected officials and the public. This is a leadership position which has full responsibility and continuous supervision of staff, including a key role in hiring, training, evaluating and terminating  staff when necessary. The person assigned to this position is an active member of the Finance Department’s management team and as such has major responsibility for the management of the City’s financial system and reporting functions.Essential Functions of the JobPerforms duties and responsibilities commensurate with assigned functional area within the Finance Department which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following tasks: • Manage major aspects of municipal functions such as purchasing, bidding and contracting. • Review existing and propose new systems pertaining to procurement and contracting. This includes evaluating current procedures, processes and policies and making recommendations for improvement. • Work with staff in other departments to help evaluate and fulfill needs for new or improved financial information. • Work with auditors from various grant agencies, State Auditor’s Office and others providing information, explanation and guidance to assure successful audit reports. • Develops and administers division operating budget. • Resolves interdepartmental or interagency conflicts related to the implementation, interpretation or correct use of processes and procedures. Motivates staff in other departments to comply with established policies and procedures. • Supervises staff, plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the work of subordinates; guides and motivates staff to perform at an effective level. • Administers the City’s competitive processes and contracting activities and provides guidance to departments in preparing recommendations of award for City Council consideration. • Advises City employees, the public and private contractors of Citywide policies and procedures as they pertain to specific functions of purchasing, bidding, contracting, internal controls and audits. • Works under the general supervision of an Assistant Director of Finance. • Supervises professional and support staff either directly or through others. Education & Experience Requirements• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Business or Public Administration. • Five or more years of professional related experience (preferably in the public sector) in areas of purchasing, contracting or financial management as applicable to this specific position. • Significant experience in supervising professional, paraprofessional and support staff. • Certification as a Public Purchasing Professional is highly desired. Upon hire, promotion, or transfer to this job classification candidates will be subject to a criminal background check, the results of the background check will be used in determining whether the candidate is qualified for the position.Additional Qualification Criteria• Extensive knowledge of principles and practices in areas of public sector purchasing, bidding, contracting, vendor negotiations and internal controls. • Skilled at working within the confines of a complex legal system governed by state law, local city codes and ordinances and organization policies and procedures. • Knowledge of : -Information systems capabilities as applied to financial systems which support government purchasing and contracting practices.-Public sector procurement, contracting, and fiscal management functions and their interrelationships. -Principles and practices of work unit level fiscal planning, including revenue and expenditure projection, analysis, monitoring, and evaluation. -Information processing techniques, workflow analysis methods, forms management, budgeting, and cost control principles. • Ability to: -Meet local, state, and federal reporting requirements and regulations. -Manage purchasing, contracting and other complex fiscal tasks. -Research, analyze, and interpret comprehensive financial data and write concise, complete reports. -Make verbal presentations of complex issues, -Troubleshoot procurement and contracting problems and clarify or correct established procedures. -Lead and supervise professional, paraprofessional, and clerical staff. Working Conditions & Physical RequirementsThe physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet. For further information about this job, please contact Earle Stuard at 425.452.6894.Additional InformationThe City of Bellevue is situated between Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington with the Cascades mountain range to the east and the Olympic mountains to the west offering breath-taking panoramic vistas. Bellevue is the Eastside’s major urban population center, making it the fifth largest City in Washington State. Due to its livability and economic base, Bellevue received the 2007 National 100 Best Communities for Young People Award. In addition, in March 2008, the City of Bellevue was recognized by Fortune Small Business Magazine as one of the nations best places to live and launch a new business! We are proud of our award winning City and the employees who help make it happen! The City of Bellevue is truly a culturally-enriched destination City to live, work and play! Apply on-line at www.bellevuewa.gov Questions regarding the on-line application process should be directed to Human Resources at 425.452.4150 or 425.452.6863. The City of Bellevue offers its’ employees medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage; three retirement saving programs; and, a wide variety of benefits from on-site fitness facilities, tuition reimbursement, to flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care. We work in an eco-friendly environment with state of the art technology and equipment. More detail is available on our website at www.bellevuewa.gov If this position is identified as a limited term, then the following definition applies: Hired for more than 9 months and no more than three years. Employment status is exactly the same as regular employees and receives all the same benefits with three exceptions: 1) At-will for the duration of the limited term assignment ; 2) Have a specific end date in which their employment with the City will terminate; 3) Ineligible for any form of layoff benefits and/or severance at termination. The City of Bellevue is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce.