DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Division of Financial Operations
Office of Procurement
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: $56,097.81 - $100,100.00 Annually 

Grade: 24

Closing Date: December 18, 2024

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that makes Arizona thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES) we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals that are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit des.az.gov; or click on the link here to view ‘Our DES’ video. Come Join the DES Team!

The Procurement Manager holds unlimited procurement authority from the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) and oversees Senior and Procurement Specialists. Key responsibilities include contract administration, handling claims, making source selections for complex procurements, managing Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) and Interservice Support Agreements (ISAs). The Procurement Manager drafts the CPO’s decisions on protests, prepares agency reports for appeals, and serves as a liaison between the DES Office of Procurement and DES programs. Additionally, they train and mentor procurement colleagues and customers, along with other assigned procurement duties.

This position may be available for remote work within Arizona (one or two days per week in the office/hoteling).

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Through direct supervision of subordinate staff, issues formal and informal solicitations, conducts evaluation of offers and recommends contracts for award.
• Executes all IGAs and ISAs, provide contract amendments/change orders, contract interpretation, claims, issuance of demand for assurances, develop and execute of direct contracts.
• Draft CPO decision regarding protest and the agency report to appeals.
• Ensure accurate and timely on-line approval of change orders in the Arizona Procurement Portal (APP).
• Consult with the CPO and Deputy CPO to develop solutions for high profile contract administration issues.
• Assists and supports the CPO in communicating DES procurement policies and procedures to colleagues and provides interpretation as needed.
• Performs research and planning activities to support the successful administration and management of various procurement initiatives.
• Mentors’ procurement staff and collaborates with Procurement Training Specialist/CPO/DCPO to identify and conduct training for colleagues at all levels within the organization.
• Acts as CPO in the absence of the CPO and Deputy CPO.

Knowledge of:
• Government procurement and source selection methodologies (both centralized and decentralized); contract formation and administration; Arizona Procurement Code, Uniform Commercial Code, and Federal antitrust laws.
• State government organization and reporting structure, including DES organizational structure, centralized and cooperative procurement organizational structures.
• Applicable administrative rules and policies, marketing practices, principles practices, human resources policies, accounting and financial procedures.
• Professional standards of ethical conduct, security of information and confidentiality, in depth knowledge of the highly specialized requirements of Human Services procurement in support of DES mission and values.

Skills in:
• Managing teams, supervising others, utilizing Arizona Procurement Portal (APP), conduct research and analysis.
• Maintain positive business relationships, public speaking, and negotiating.
• Business and technical writing, use of personal computers and associated applications and software.

Ability to:
• Apply principles and practices of work leadership and management. Make sound and ethical decisions regarding contracts and contract law issues.
• Balance, prioritize, and organize multiple tasks. Work collaboratively in teams across organizations, synthesize feedback, adjust plans accordingly, learn quickly, assimilate large amounts of industry-specific and technical materials.
• Adapt to rapidly changing priorities, build strong relationships with colleagues, vendors, and partners.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Advance procurement and contracting experience with a minimum of two years’ experience equivalent to Senior Procurement Specialist.
• Minimum one-year supervisory experience.
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in business, purchasing or related field. Preference given for professional certification, such CPPO, CPPB, CPM, or CPSM

• If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).
• Successfully pass background and reference check; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the Agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities
• Flexible schedules to create a work/life balance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Norma Pina at (480) 952-7560 or npina@azdes.gov. 

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sing language interpreeter or an alternative format by contacting (480) 952-7560 or npina@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.