Contracts & Procurement Manager

Full Job Description

Contracts & Procurement Manager (EMS 2)

WaTech: Leading the way in technology!

Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) helps state agencies use technology to better serve people across Washington. We set the direction for how the state uses technology and run many of the core technology services agencies rely on every day.

About the opportunity:This role sits in WaTech’s Administrative Services Division and reports to the Chief Financial Officer. The team handles contracts and procurement from start to finish.

They develop policies and documents, negotiate terms, coordinate purchases, solve issues, and manage contract closeouts.

The Contracts and Procurement Manager serves as WaTech’s go-to expert on state contracting rules, policies, and best practices, helping the agency buy smart and stay compliant.

Requirements

Some of what to expect with this role:

• Advise WaTech leaders and staff on contracts and procurement matters.
• Research policy issues and draft, update, and interpret internal policies.
• Partner with the Office of the Attorney General on legal and compliance issues.
• Lead all acquisitions and contracting across WaTech divisions.
• Review vendor protests, analyze findings, and recommend next steps to leadership.
• Oversee and maintain the contracts and procurement website for assigned areas.
• Supervise the Contracts and Procurement team and set clear performance expectations.
• Recommend hiring, discipline, and other personnel actions to the CFO.
• Lead the development of policies and practices that support ethics in public service.

Qualifications

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Seven years of experience in procuring, negotiating, administering, and terminating contracts

OR

• Five years of experience in procuring, negotiating, administering, and terminating governmental contracts.

*A degree in business administration, finance, law, or closely related field can substitute for up to two years of experience.

• Supervisory experience including conducting employee performance reviews.
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve, prioritize workloads, meet deadlines, and provide independent strategic direction/decision making.
• Demonstrated ability to meet commitments, works independently, accepts accountability, stays focused under pressure.
• Demonstrated excellent customer service by handling customer service questions and complaints in a pleasant and professional manner.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills and ability to clearly communicate complex information, verbally and in writing to a non-technical audience.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preference may be granted to applicants with the following:

• Experience working with information technology software licensing, hardware purchasing, leasing agreements, and contracts.
• Knowledgeable in Washington state laws and regulations governing government contracting.
• Currently licensed to practice law in the state of Washington.

Additional Information

Telework: This position has a twice weekly on-site requirement and requires the candidate to live within a 60-mile radius of WaTech’s Olympia, Washington Office.

We value diversity and different perspectives:

WaTech is committed to providing equal access and opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees.

We seek to attract and retain a diverse staff and welcome your experiences, perspectives and unique identity.

We invite you to include your preferred name and pronouns in your material to ensure we address you correctly throughout the application process.

What WaTech offers:

As an employee of WaTech, you’ll have access to an outstanding employee benefits package that includes medical and dental plan options for you and your family, paid leave and holidays, retirement plan options and more.

While WaTech is headquartered in Olympia, Washington, which is near some of the country’s most scenic national parks, we are able to offer many of our positions telework and flexible schedule options to help support a healthy work-life balance.

To learn more about WaTech and what our employees enjoy about working here, please visit our website.

Additional information about this role:

• This position requires a background check. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability to perform in the position and is a continued condition of employment.

How to apply:

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Please select the large “apply” button at the top of this announcement. In addition to completing your online application, please also include the following attachments:

• A current resume detailing your applicable experience, training and/or education.
• A letter of interest highlighting how your experience aligns with the outlined job posting.

Top candidates will be asked to provide a list of their professional references with contact information.

Reminders:

• A real person is reviewing your application material. It is in your best interest to complete the application in its entirety and review thoroughly before submitting. You will not be eligible to re-apply for this posting for 30 days.
• Applications with missing or incomplete fields, or supplemental question responses such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete and removed from consideration.

WaTech complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal Form I-9.

The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. WaTech does not use the E-Verify system.

We are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practice Training (OPT) opportunities. For more information, please visit https://www.uscis.gov.

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application.

(Please redact any personally identifiable data such as social security number and date of birth prior to submittal.)

By submitting your materials, you affirm that all information is true and correct. Any untruthful information is cause for removal from the applicant pool. If hired as a result of this recruitment, the discovery of incorrect or falsified information may lead to disciplinary action or dismissal.




Recruitment process:

The first round of application assessments will be conducted seven days after the initial job posting date.

The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the initial seven-day job posting date. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions.

The salary range reflected above reflects the full potential for this position. The base pay offered to the selected candidate will consider the candidate’s specific qualifying experience and internal equity of the existing team.




Contact us: For inquiries about this position, please contact Rebekah Wilkes at (360) 407-8646 or email to recruitment@watech.wa.gov




If you’d like to request an accommodation for any part of the selection process, or to receive the application material in an alternate format, please contact Human Resources at (360) 407-8242 or Human.Resources@watech.wa.gov.Persons of disability or those who are deaf or hard of hearing can call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.