Procurement Manager

Buncombe County is seeking a Procurement Manager the Countys senior leader responsible for stewardship of public resources. This position leads strategic procurement initiatives oversees competitive purchasing and contracting administration and helps deliver high-quality service to our community through ethical transparent and innovative procurement practices. You will oversee procurement governance ensure adherence to North Carolina and federal regulations and guide a high-performing procurement team that advances fiscal stewardship and operational excellence across all departments.

As an employer deeply committed to employee wellbeing Buncombe County offers an exceptional benefits package including discounted medical premiums generous county-funded Health Savings Account contributions nocost physical therapy 8% 401(k) employer contributions comprehensive wellness programs paid family leave and access to an onsite Employee & Family Health Clinic with low-cost care.

If you are ready to bring your expertise to a mission-driven organization focused on stewardship operational excellence and accountable public service we invite you to join our team.

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this position is to serve as Buncombe Countys senior-level leader for strategicprocurement reporting directly to the Finance Officer. This role directs the Countys procurement vision strategy and operationsensuring legal compliance fiscal stewardship supplier accountability and continuous improvement across all procurementactivities. The position leads the Countys procurement team oversees strategic sourcing guides contract governance andstrengthens operational resilience including emergency procurement readiness. Through expert leadership this role partners withdepartments executive leadership and external stakeholders to deliver a high-performing procurement function that advancesCountywide operational financial and community goals.

Minimum Education Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Masters degree in Business Public Administrationor other relevant field and three (3) years of experience in government or business including two (1) years of supervisory experience and /or specific training in government procurement or contracting; or a Bachelors degree in Business Public Administration or otherrelevant field and five (5) years of experience and/or specific training in government procurement or contracting; or an equivalentcombination of education and/or experience.

Additional Training and Experience:

Certified Local Government Purchasing Officer (CLGPO) designation preferred or obtainedwithin 2 years from start date.

Supervisory/Leadership Responsibilities:

Supervise a division program or process with accountability for operations and resultsresponsibility for employee development assignment and flow of work and appraisal. Work activities involve managerial decisionsthat directly affect the efficiency costs reputation and service quality of the division program or process. May assist withdeveloping budgets and/or distributing budgeted funds.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Direct lead and administer Buncombe Countys procurement division as a senior operational and strategic leader shapingprocurement priorities performance expectations and division-wide culture.

• Serve as the Countys authority on procurement laws best practices continuous improvement strategies and emerging trends;provide strategic guidance to the Finance Officer and executive leadership.

• Develop and oversee Countywide procurement strategy including category management spend analysis supplier segmentationand long-range sourcing strategies.

• Collaborate with legal risk financial and operational partners to ensure contract obligations are clear enforceable and alignedwith strategic objectives.

• Lead the development modernization and implementation of procurement and contracting policies ensuring alignment with NCGeneral Statutes Federal Uniform Guidance (as applicable) and County governance requirements.

• Establish Countywide procurement procedures that embed transparency accountability internal controls measurable outcomesand consistent business practices across all departments.

• Direct procurement transformation initiatives including process and digital optimization workflow improvements reportingdashboards and contract lifecycle standardization.

• Lead strategic sourcing strategies competitive solicitations and formal procurement processes ensuring fairness transparencyand compliance.

• Build and oversee a supplier performance program that includes performance scorecards service-level expectations correctiveaction plans vendor incentives and collaboration strategies. The program will add value to the organization and community bydriving cost savings enhancing vendor relationships and embracing innovative approaches to strategic sourcing.

• Partner with legal risk financial and operational leaders to negotiate contracts establish enforceable obligations and ensurealignment with County goals and risk tolerance.

• Lead supervise mentor and develop procurement division staff; establish high-level performance expectations and fosterprofessional growth innovation and collaboration.

• Provide expert guidance on complex procurement matters resolving issues and ensuring staff effectively manage both routine andnon-routine procurement work.

• Oversee procurement internal control systems ensure accurate encumbrance of financial obligations and maintain rigorousauditing standards for procurement activities.

• Lead governance and compliance activities for the countywide P-Card program including policy development fraud mitigationcontrols monitoring and training.

• Ensure alignment between procurement processes and County fiscal priorities advancing stewardship and accountability acrossall procurement spending.

• Lead Countywide solicitation workflowsincluding bid advertising proposal openings source selection contract award anddocumentation.

• Direct the disposal of surplus property through compliant transparent online auction methods.

• Oversee physical and electronic document management in coordination with Information Technology and Records Management.

• Serve as a strategic partner to departments providing expert consultation training and support in procurement planning contractdevelopment solicitations and sourcing decisions.

• Lead engagement across departments to strengthen procurement literacy promote continuous improvement and reinforcecountywide procurement standards and values.

• Serve as an emergency-essential strategic leader responsible for ensuring procurement readiness during disaster response andrecovery.

• Develop and maintain County emergency procurement protocols supplier readiness strategies supply-chain continuity plans andrapid-response procurement capabilities.

• Perform other related duties as assigned to advance the strategic operational and financial priorities of the Finance Officer andBuncombe County

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

• Knowledge and experience of purchasing theories best practices emerging trends methodologies and their applications tothe purchasing function are required.

• Knowledge of and experience with modern governmental purchasing principles methods and procedures.

• Knowledge and experience of state and federal purchasing rules and regulations governing North Carolina governments.

• Knowledge of accounting principles and methods in relation to purchasing.

• Knowledge of the North Carolina School of Governments Purchasing and Contracting for North Carolina LocalGovernments.

• Knowledge of and experience working with the various grades quality standards sources of supply and price trends for awide variety of materials equipment and supplies utilized by the County.

• Knowledge of the current literature trends and developments in the field of governmental purchasing.

• Knowledge of the principles of public relations and their application to purchasing services activities.

• Knowledge of the principles of supervision organization and administration.

• Skill in leveraging information technology and internal controls to meet work needs.

• Ability to develop plans and programs and to make decisions on matters of major purchasing policy.

• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with departmental personnel vendors and other customers/clients

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture one that fully engages all of our employees honoring and building on each employees unique experiences opinions and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race natural hair or hairstyles ethnicity creed color sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression national origin or ancestry marital or familial status pregnancy veteran status religious belief or non-belief age or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment hiring assignment promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected addition the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.