Procurement Supervisor @ Purchasing

Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.

• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Employment Type

Full-time

Base Salary

$71,590.00

Class/Calendar

D71, 12 months

Benefits

Vacation, sick leave, holidays, retirement matched through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay

Available annually

New Hire Experience

1% of the base rate granted for each year of verified like experience (within ten years) beyond the requirement, up to a ten-year maximum

New Hire Education

1% of the base rate awarded for an AA or higher degree if not required for the position

Job Summary

The Purchasing Supervisor provides day-to-day leadership and supervision for the district procurement functions under the direction of the Director of Purchasing. The position supervises Procurement Specialists and coordinates solicitations, contracts, workload, and complex procurement matters. The Purchasing Supervisor personally leads high level, complex, sensitive, high dollar, and/or districtwide Requests for Proposals (RFP) and other strategic procurements while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, rules, policies, procedures, and audit standards. The position also supports contract management, staff development, process improvement, strategic sourcing, and effective use of district resources.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise, assign, coordinate and review the work of all Procurement Specialists; establish priorities and workload assignments; provide technical guidance, coaching and training; participate in selection, performance evaluation and professional development activities.
• Serve as the primary lead for high level, complex, sensitive, high dollar and/or districtwide RFPs, including planning procurement strategy, developing specifications and scopes of work, preparing evaluation criteria and pricing structures, facilitating evaluation committees, conducting negotiations and preparing comprehensive award recommendations.
• Provide oversight and quality review of formal solicitations prepared by Procurement Specialists, including Invitations to Bid, Requests for Proposals, Requests for Qualifications and Requests for Quotations, to ensure appropriate procurement method, complete and accurate content, defensible evaluation methodology and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Conduct or oversee pre-bid/proposal conferences, solicitation addenda, openings, evaluations, interviews/demonstrations, negotiations, award recommendations, contract amendments and other formal procurement activities.
• Review complex proposal evaluations for adherence and responsiveness to solicitation requirements; guide negotiations; ensure the quality and consistency of solicitation and contract documents, technical advice, mathematical calculations and procurement records.
• Manage or provide senior level oversight of complex, multi-year and strategic contracts; monitor performance, pricing, insurance, renewals, usage, expansion terms and compliance; resolve or mediate significant product, service, project and contractual issues.
• Assist the Director of Purchasing in directing and coordinating procurement and contract management activities and in planning and implementing a sound, coordinated procurement program.
• Ensure assigned procurement activities comply with federal, state and district procurement laws, rules, policies, procedures, certification requirements and internal/external audit standards; maintain documentation sufficient to support an audit trail and procurement decisions.
• Serve as an escalation point for Procurement Specialists and district departments on complex procurement questions, protests, contract interpretation, supplier performance, negotiations and other sensitive matters; draft or review formal correspondence regarding awards and contract compliance.
• Partner with district departments to identify procurement needs, develop sourcing strategies and specifications, improve competition, identify potential suppliers, contain costs and support effective use of district funds.
• Proactively conduct research, market analysis, supplier outreach, site inspections, vendor meetings, demonstrations and contract negotiations to make recommendations to the Director of Procurement as needed for complex procurements.
• Assist in developing, implementing and maintaining Purchasing Department policies, procedures, templates, standards, training and internal controls; recommend process improvements and consistent procurement practices.
• Prepare or assist with administrative reports, procurement justifications, presentations and information required by the Director of Purchasing, district administration and the Governing Board.
• Support professional development for Purchasing staff and maintain current knowledge of legal, regulatory and business practices through professional organizations, training and continuing education.
• Perform procurement duties for any commodity or service as needed and act on behalf of the Director of Purchasing on assigned matters or during absences, within delegated authority.
• Establish, monitor and report procurement performance measures, including solicitation cycle time, competitive procurement utilization, strategic sourcing, cooperative purchasing, procurement savings/cost avoidance, workload and other key indicators; analyze trends and recommend corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead spend analysis and strategic sourcing initiatives to identify opportunities for requirement consolidation, standardization, cooperative purchasing, competitive sourcing and other strategies that improve value, reduce procurement cycle time and maximize the District's purchasing leverage.
• Manages special projects and performs additional tasks related to areas of responsibility as assigned by administration
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Materials Management, Public Administration or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Five years of progressively responsible purchasing/procurement experience, including experience with formal competitive solicitations and contract administration; public procurement or public school district procurement experience strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Materials Management, Public Administration or a related field.
• Ten years of progressively responsible purchasing/procurement experience, including experience with formal competitive solicitations and contract administration.
• CPPB, CPPO or comparable professional procurement certification highly desired.

Skills & Competencies

• Models the MPS Portrait of a Graduate and demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise through ethical leadership, accountability, and service oriented decision making.
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of public procurement principles, applicable federal and state laws, district policies, contract administration, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Effectively leads, supervises, coaches, and evaluates professional procurement staff while establishing priorities, managing workloads, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team.
• Applies strategic planning, change management, and continuous improvement practices to streamline procurement processes, improve efficiency, and align operations with district priorities.
• Analyzes complex proposals, contracts, financial data, and procurement activities; applies sound judgment, cost benefit analysis, and data-informed decision-making to maximize district resources.
• Communicates effectively and professionally with district leadership, staff, vendors, legal counsel, and external stakeholders to resolve issues, build partnerships, and support district objectives.
• Demonstrates proficiency with procurement and financial management systems while leveraging emerging technologies and innovative practices to improve operational effectiveness.
• Demonstrates integrity, discretion, adaptability, and sound judgment while managing competing priorities, resolving complex challenges, and maintaining high standards of customer service.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Primarily works in an office environment within the school district's administrative or purchasing department
• Regular interaction with vendors, school administrators, finance teams, and other district personnel
• Occasional travel may be required for vendor meetings, school site visits, procurement conferences, or training
• Work involves handling multiple projects, deadlines, and compliance requirements.
• Mostly desk-based with frequent computer use, document review, and phone/email communication
• May involve occasional lifting (typically 10-25 pounds) of documents, office supplies, or procurement materials

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.