1. Management of the Snohomish County Division of Purchasing. This is high-level managerial work, which involves the oversight and coordination of all purchasing related activities throughout the county.
2. Develops purchasing procedures in accordance with statutory requirements and best business practices. Confers with legal counsel and risk management concerning state laws and policies pertaining to bidding and contracting. Establishes related procedures and requirements for inclusion in competitive solicitations.
3. Develops processes for the procurement of supplies, materials, equipment, common services, professional services and public work.
4. Assigns purchase projects to staff members. Handles sensitive or controversial issues personally. Investigates and resolves complaints such as issues concerning product efficiencies vendor non-performance, condition of products received, and late deliveries.
5. Plans and implements long range goals and objectives for the Purchasing Division and monitors progress of these goals and objectives
6. Responsible for the purchasing module of the county’s financial system including its maintenance, upgrades and staff training.
7. Ensures that bid documents include technical, financial, risk, legal, and procedural requirements. Reviews and evaluates requisitions submitted by user departments. Determines appropriate procurement method.
8. Advises customer departments of potential commodity or product alternatives when practicable and provides information in relation to commodity sources. Acts as consultant to departments by advising on products and vendors, and provides guidance and assistance in purchasing and bidding process. Trains department personnel in departmental procurement activities.
9. Purchases a wide variety of goods and services. Oversees bid specifications, calls for bids, informational meetings with prospective bidders, calls for bids to qualified suppliers, advertisements of bids in appropriate newspapers, the safeguarding of sealed bids and bid deposits. Supervises the public opening of bids and evaluation of bids; determination of the lowest and best bidder; recommends the awarding of purchase contracts to the county council or county executive as appropriate.
10. Maintains current knowledge of industry, regulatory and legislative developments affecting public communications to ensure application to responsibilities.
11. Reviews technological developments; locates sources through market research, vendor interviews, trade publications, and attendance at vendor fairs; maintains and updates lists of qualified suppliers of commodities; investigates procurement practices to develop standardization of specifications.
12. Serves on a variety of committees; coordinates and attends meetings with county representatives and other governmental agencies; attends and participates in professional group meetings.
13. Seeks out and researches new products and services; consults suppliers to determine availability, price and quality; negotiates the terms of purchase in such areas as price, warranty and parts availability. Conducts cost-of-work analysis to evaluate potential savings through change of systems and equipment.
14. Oversees the Division’s response to public disclosure requests, following county guidelines.
15. Performs related duties as required.