Job description
Minimum Pay Rate: $72,700.56
Maximum Pay Rate: $96,319.32
Posting Type: Open
The Procurement Specialist (Entry) and/or Procurement Specialist (Journey) position will be assigned to the IT and Professional Services Procurement Team in the Procurement Department and will provide: professional expertise, analysis, organization, and coordination on specifications and requirements for the development of solicitations; negotiation, development and execution of services and/or technology contracts for goods and services; procurement expertise, exemplary customer service, and collaboration with stakeholders across all levels of the organization; vendor management and contract administration; interpretation of SMUD policy and directives to create and implement procurement solutions that balance the business need, while supporting the policies and strategic vision established by the SMUD Board of Directors. This position will not have grant-related duties and does not require any grant experience.
The intent of this job posting is to establish an eligibility list which may be used to fill current and future, permanent and limited-term, vacancies for up to two (2) years. You must clearly demonstrate, on your resume, that you possess the knowledge, skills and experience required in the minimum qualifications listed in this posting.
This position is posted until is a sufficient number of qualified applications are received and may close any time after April 3rd, 2023. For immediate consideration, applicants are encouraged to apply early.
Application Preparation
You will be required to respond to the following questions when submitting your application. "Refer to resume" responses will not be accepted.
- Please describe your experience, training and knowledge in procuring goods and services, especially related to professional services and/or IT solicitations and contracts, public agency procurement, and/or utility contracting.
- Please describe a challenging business issue that you’ve worked to resolve. What was your role and what did you do? What was the outcome?
- Please describe your knowledge and skill level in using computer systems including SAP, MS Office applications, SharePoint, and ServiceNow.
Note: The department will be filling two positions at either the Entry or Journey level. If you are interested in the Journey Procurement Specialist position, you will need to apply to that job posting separately (see Req #282, Procurement Specialist Journey).
Purpose
Provide professional expertise, analysis, organization, and coordination on specifications and requirements for the development of solicitations; develop and execute contracts and purchase orders for goods and services with the exception of Legal Services, Power Contracts, and Non-Fleet Fuel; provide advanced procurement and grant administration expertise; interpret SMUD policy and directives to create and implement procurement solutions that balance the business need, while supporting the policies and strategic vision established by the SMUD Board of Directors.
Nature and Scope
This classification is comprised of two levels: Level "E" is the entry-level where incumbents are provided formal training and/or certification for progression to the journey-level of the classification. The incumbent is promoted/progressed to the journey level "J" upon successful completion of all training and/or certification requirements for the classification. Incumbents hired at the entry-level are required to successfully progress to the journey-level within 18 to 60 months, depending on the length of the training and/or certification program. If an employee is unsuccessful with progressing to the journey-level they will return to last class held or separate from SMUD.
Duties and Responsibilities
The following are the essential functions/tasks for the Procurement class series. The Entry level assists and performs the more basic of the following functions, while the Journey level fully performs each of them:
- Supports the procurement process by serving as a technical expert for the planning, developing solicitation and negotiating of contracts for products and services; conducts needs assessment; develops reports for management; forecasts supplier/contractor and project costs and activities; identifies areas for cost savings and adjustment; ensures procurement risks are clearly identified and provide recommendations and appropriate mechanisms for risk mitigation.
- Assists SMUD personnel in identifying material/source availability; develops solicitations and identifies bidders; encourages participation from suppliers/contractors; researches supplier/contractor information; works with project personnel to determine technical acceptability of supplier/contractor submitted bids; evaluates proposals and recommends awards; resolves protests; writes and negotiates terms of agreements.
- Resolves moderately complex issues or obstacles within contracts by communicating as a contract expert with suppliers/contractors/Supplier Legal Counsel, and SMUD Legal and internal department representatives; ensures terms of contracts are met; oversees purchase orders and contracts; researches problems and explores alternatives; researches and identifies new material/source availability to expand SMUD’s competitive bidder’s base; educates suppliers/contractors on SMUD’s procurement policies and regulations; renegotiates contracts; records changes.
- Facilitates the administration of contracts and grants by continually evaluating progress and milestones of existing contracts; documents performance; monitors payments; negotiates contract adjustments; monitors compliance issues; responds to stop notices; documents final inspections and acceptances; prepares final notices of completion; releases retention; and closes contract.
- Supports the SEED program; selecting and developing bid mechanisms that best balance SMUD’s business need with those of small business participation in contracting; identifies sources and specifies regulations to maximize participation; communicates requirements; encourages participation by potential suppliers; evaluates bids for participation; validates certifications; determines responsiveness by vendors; communicates vendor selections; monitors usage of the programs; and attends SEED outreach events during and after standard work hours.
- Ensures compliance to Municipal Utility SMUD Act (MUD Act), California Public Contract Code, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) when appropriate, SMUD Board Policy, SMUD Procurement Policy, management directives, SMUD Policy BL-13, and applicable Grant SDP and DAP’s.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities
- Administers SMUD wide grant program; serves as a primary point of contact for the identification, communication of opportunities, technical assistance, and the development and submittal of grant proposals; develops and maintains grant administration policies, procedures, guidelines, and tools; completes all reporting and filing requirements (except those provided by Accounting and Project Manager) in compliance with grant contracts; ensures consistency of policy applications and grant requirement fulfillment.
- Supports SMUD asset recovery efforts and ensure compliance to appropriate Board Linkage Policy.
- Supports the management of Inventory/ Non-Inventory Strategic Contracts, managing and tracking spending, initiating cost adjustments, resolving all quality, delivery and billing issues.
- Provides technical, maintenance and desktop support for SMUD’s Electronic Bid Solicitation System (EBSS) interfacing with external bidders and internal employees regarding registration, access, and vendor status; provides assistance to bidders with questions and challenges with system functionality; takes appropriate measures to maintain data integrity; provides reports internally to SMUD management and supervision.
- Performs related duties as required.
Required Education
BA/BS from an accredited College or University, in Business Administration, Public Administration or other appropriate disciplines or relevant procurement experience. If no degree, five (5) years of relevant experience is required.
Required Experience Qualifications
One (1) or more years of progressively responsible procurement experience including grant writing and management or administration of Federal/State grant programs, or management of contracts with Federal/State agencies. A relevant bachelor’s degree may substitute for one year experience.
Knowledge Of
General: Public procurement; ERP system (SAP) for Materials Management Procurement, and/or budget and reporting; the SEED Program, goals, practices and sub-contracting opportunities; Federal and State Grant Procurement guidelines and reporting; Federal Procurement Requirements for Grant purchases including Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Buy American and Davis-Bacon; Protest Policy and Public Records Act procedures; life cycle analysis concept and methods; delegations of authority, procurement policy, and applicable management directives; databases and Microsoft SharePoint; the MUD Act and Public Contract Code; advanced Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint;. Construction: Construction bid templates including extensive knowledge of construction general and special conditions; construction bonding and retention options; construction insurance requirements. Materials /BT Software: Materials and professional services bid templates and bidding options; transmission and distribution systems and components; SMUD computing environment and components; SMUD SAP Materials Management Module including Inventory Management; software licensing types, and terms and conditions; application of Metals Indexes, US Producer Price indexes, Consumer Price Indexes as escalation and de-escalation contract tools; BL-10 disposal of surplus, scrap or obsolete personal property; contract management; bonding and insurance requirements. Grant Administration: Extensive knowledge of Office and Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars; contractual agreement terms and conditions typical of Federal and State of California Grants; earned value management for projects utilizing federal grant money. Procurement Performance: SMUD Business Warehouse, Electronic Bid Solicitation System (EBSS); performance reporting methodologies and Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s); organizational performance and operational improvement. In addition to the above, the Supervising Procurement Specialist is required to know the policies, practices, methods and techniques for directing personnel and teams, supervising, training, budget administration, negotiating, cost control, planning, organizing, and program evaluation.
Skills To
Write and assemble logical and effective bid or grant documents; develop a procurement or grant plan to our internal customers; create and route clear and concise Staffing Summary Sheets that accurately documents; gain the cooperation and support of internal clients; plan organize and prioritize the activities to meet schedule, effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with SMUD management, and Suppliers/Vendors; effectively analyze and resolve problems and overcome obstacles providing solutions and direction to our internal customers, vendors/sub-recipients, and governmental agents; collaborate across business units; research industry trends and identify procurement and grant needs within business units and provide customized consultative solutions; develop reports; conduct oneself in an open, honest, and straightforward manner; persuasively present ideas to gain commitment from others; educate and guide internal customers and external venders on SMUD’s procurement process; gain SEED vender participation by analyzing contracts and compartmentalizing into smaller portions that may be completed by SEED venders; and establish and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders. In addition to the above, the Supervising Procurement Specialist is required to have the skill to supervise, plan, organize, direct, manage, and review the work of others; effectively organize people, resources and work plans; plan, organize, schedule, and assign work to assigned staff; quickly identify problems or issues, analyze causes, and implement corrective actions; develop and implement new and revised policies and procedures; reconcile significant and/or controversial differences to bring interested parties to consensus; and apply applicable laws, codes and regulations.
Desirable Qualifications
- MBA
- Experience with services, technology, public agency, or electric utility contracting
Desirable Licenses/Certificates
- C.P.M. Certified Purchasing Manager certification encouraged.
Physical Requirements
Who We Are
As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers.
Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.
An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.
SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.
Why Sacramento, California?
The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.
Remote Work:
This position may be eligible for SMUD's remote work employee benefit, the schedule of which will be determined by the successful candidate and the Hiring Manager. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to remote work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD’s business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis.
Questions? Email SMUDRecruiter@smud.org
SMUD provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. SMUD complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
SMUD expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of SMUD employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.
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