Senior Contract Officer

 

About Virginia Community College System:

Virginia's Community Colleges were created more than 50 years ago to address Virginia's unmet needs in higher education and workforce training. With its mission to give everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills so lives and communities are strengthened, the VCCS works to provide world class services that foster and expand access to exemplary learning experiences for all by expanding access, providing affordability, supporting student success, expanding workforce development training, and securing resources to achieve its goals.

The Shared Services Center supports the VCCS mission by providing excellent customer service and effective and efficient administrative services to the 23 community colleges and the System Office. These services include functions in the areas of human resources, fiscal services, payroll, and procurement with the intent to use economies of scale and specialized expertise to support its customers.

As a service within the SSC, Procurement Operations provides a unified procurement and contracting process for all 40 campuses of the 23 colleges as well as the System Office. Procurement Operations will consist of a team of procurement professionals focused on excellence in service, full regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement in procurement operations. When fully deployed, the SSC Procurement Operations will be responsible for spend in excess of $250 million annually.

 

Job Description:

Under their direct supervisor, the Senior Contract Officer (SPO) procures a wide variety of goods and services for the 23 VCCS colleges, the System Office and the Shared Services Center. The position also:

• Solicits and issues contracts for goods and services as needed by the SSC customers utilizing a variety of complex procurement methods.
• Manages a portfolio of term contracts for use by the SSC customers (potentially including other public bodies).
• Analyzes market data to make appropriate sourcing decisions.
• Ensures that all purchases are performed accurately and timely and in accordance with applicable VCCS and state policies and applicable laws.
• Employs best business practices to continuously improve performance, compliance, efficiency and effectiveness.

 

Requirements:

• Extensive expertise in making sourcing decisions for complex procurement of supplies, equipment, and professional and non-professional services, including the ability to analyze market data, exercise sound judgment, take initiative, handle multiple competing priorities, solve problems, and attend to detail while maintaining a big-picture perspective.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and comprehend highly complex solicitation and contract documents, including the ability to interpret procurement-related law and policies, apply that knowledge, and as needed participate in the development of related policies and procedures.
• Ability to build working relationships to solve problems and achieve common goals.
• Demonstrated ability to provide exceptional and professional customer service to diverse internal and external customers and suppliers.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment with matrix reporting relationships.
• Proficient written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proficient knowledge and experience using an electronic procurement system, MS Office products and Adobe Acrobat Pro.
• Multiple years of complex procurement experience.
• Current Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO) certification or ability to obtain Virginia Contracting Associate (VCA) certification within one year of hire and VCO within two years; see https://vip.dgs.virginia.gov/ for more information on VCA & VCO certifications.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, or equivalent education and experience.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of governmental procurement principles and ability to follow procurement policy and standard operating procedures.
• Expertise in interpreting legal agreements and modifying for compliance.
• Working knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia (VPPA, APSPM, etc.) & VCCS procurement policies.
• Working knowledge of eVA (state procurement system).
• Working knowledge with AIS/PeopleSoft functionality.
• Professional procurement certification(s):VCO, CPPO, CPPB, CPM or other nationally recognized procurement/contract management certification.
• Experience in high performance organization using recognized continuous improvement techniques.
• Procurement experience in higher education and/or state government.
• Ability to travel within Virginia and within the United States as needed.

 

Additional Information:

The Shared Services Center is located in the beautiful mountain area of Daleville, Virginia.

Salary commensurate with education and work experience. This position is a state classified position. The VCCS offers competitive compensation along with excellent benefits and opportunity for career development.

 

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, qualified applicants must complete the online information section and questions, and attach a resume and cover letter with salary requirements for consideration, www.vccs.edu/careers/

www.vccs.edu/careers/, background, and e-Verify checks are required for all VCCS positions.

 

The Virginia Community College System is committed to fostering, cultivating, and sustaining a culture of diversity and is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The VCCS encourages applications from women, minorities, veterans, and those with disabilities in our effort to reflect our diverse society.

 

We thank you for your interest in the Virginia Community College System.

 

URL: www.ssc.vccs.edu

 

 

 

Apply Here

PI106456818