Contracting Agent I

Duration: 12 Months

Pay Rate: $50/hr on W2

Qualifications:

• Typically requires a bachelor's degree in Purchasing, Supply Chain, Business, English, Computer Science, Economics, or other related field and 3-5 years supply management experience. A Master’s Degree in Business Administration, or other advanced academic degrees or training is highly desirable. A valid California driver's license is required. Typically requires materials and/or services purchasing experience and has successfully completed purchases over $1,000,000, and/or 2 - 4 years of experience in specific service and/or material expertise. Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) designation or similar professional certification in Supply Management is desirable.
• Knowledge and application of contracting and supply management principles.
• Working knowledge of contract management and/or accounting systems.
• Requires working knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel applications.
• Communicates clearly, seeks input from others, presents information in a clear, logical, structured way, and written communications are clear and concise.
• Anticipates and identifies customer needs, is responsive to internal and external customers, looks for ways to improve customer satisfaction.
• Contributes significantly to the accomplishment of the team’s goals and objectives, values the contributions of others, encourages the participation of everyone on the team, actively seeks and incorporates the input of others.
• Gathers relevant information systematically. Broadly defines issues, considering a wide range of factors. Grasps the complexities and interrelationships of issues.
• Displays personal integrity in all communications, decisions, and actions.
• Is action oriented, drives for results. Sets high standard of performance for self and others. Integrates efforts across organizational lines.

Responsibilities:

• Manages entire purchasing process for moderate - higher value / moderate - higher risk and moderately complex materials and/or services. Assists client in developing requirements and scope of work documentation. Writes and manages solicitation documents. Coordinates proposal evaluations. Recommends contract awards. Writes purchase documents. Evaluates supplier qualifications. Identifies alternative suppliers. Negotiates purchase agreements. Works closely with internal support organizations including Law Department, Accounts Payable, and Risk Management. Documents entire purchasing process. Develops and manages supplier alliance opportunities. Resolves conflict between suppliers and company.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships within teams and suppliers to optimize Total Cost of Ownership; assists clients with the development of specifications, requirements, and scopes of work; identifies opportunities for greater use of industry specifications, identifies alternate service applications, and secures reliable, cost-effective sources for moderate - higher value / moderate-higher risk materials and/or service.
• Meets with internal clients on a regular basis to understand client needs and to strengthen client relationships.
• Assists with development and implementation of purchasing strategies for moderate - higher value / moderate - higher risk materials and/or services that meet company requirements.
• Maintains emphasis on reliable and efficient suppliers, lowest overall cost, optimum quality and availability, and significant contribution to the Supplier Diversity (WMDVBE) goals.
• Leads special projects as directed by Portfolio Manager to identify and implement cost saving programs. Works on cross-functional teams to develop strategies to add value through Supply Management lead projects.
• Trains clients in formal training settings and informally through ongoing contact in proper contract management and administration principles. Ensures client compliance with appropriate Procurement, Ethical Behavior, and Accounting policies.
• Mentors lower-level Contracting Agents and support staff.
• Maintains records to demonstrate that proper protocol was followed in the sourcing and contracting processes and in the implementation of the supplier relationship.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Skills

• Candidates need a strong background in Ariba (maybe another similar ERP system?) as they've implemented Ariba for contracting/sourcing management. Candidates will use ERP to put agreements into tool, working with legal and insurance. They'll work with suppliers to get contracts executed and with managers on contracting needs but no invoicing, schedule is flexible.