Purchasing Director- Fort Lewis College

Position Summary 

The Director of Purchasing and Contracts is the College's agent for acquiring all materials, services, supplies, and equipment and provides leadership and direction through management of a comprehensive and coordinated program of procurement, inventory, and materials control activities including purchasing, property control, surplus property, receiving and contract administration. The Director is responsible for planning and directing the activities of the College's purchasing program to support the campus community and develops policies and procedures to establish and maintain legal compliance, financial accountability, physical control and effective resource utilization for assigned programs. The Director represents the College in negotiations or awarding contracts with authority to obligate physical and financial resources. The Director ensures a customer-centered approach is used to provide services.  

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree  
• A minimum of five years of management experience in positions with responsibilities in procurement, or supply services.  
• Supervisory and administrative skills.   

• Experience working in an Enterprise Resource Planning software.   
• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.    

Preferred Qualifications 

• Specific experience in areas related to purchasing, contract services, accounting, budgeting   
• General experience using automated purchasing procedures  

• Certification: Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) or Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO)  

Major Responsibilities 

Procurement  

• Provides leadership and direction for the College regarding procurement/materials management by directing and managing a comprehensive and coordinated program of procurement, inventory, and materials control activities including purchasing, property control, surplus property, receiving, and contract administration.  
• Protects the interests of the College regarding procurements by serving as the College's official representative in discussions between vendors and College departments on purchasing issues, shipping, receiving, invoicing, and all other areas of responsibility, and by monitoring vendor activities for compliance with all contract terms and conditions.  

• Ensures that purchasing activities are accomplished with a minimum time lag and in accordance with College fiscal rules.   
• Enhances the range and quality of procurement services to the College's departments, by coordinating and providing input regarding the design and/or selection of automation systems and being proactive in seeking the use of information technologies to automate and expedite the purchasing process and warehousing procedures.  
• Determines all source selection methods of all bid processes for goods and services, including product and services information research, in consultation with end user(s).  Drafts, researches, edits and finalizes competitive solicitations, sole source justifications and related documents. Utilizes state pricing agreements and purchasing co-ops. Is responsible for bid evaluation, RFP process guidance and oversight, vendor negotiations, sole source and emergency purchase determination, and purchase order/contract awards.  
• Reviews and monitors capital purchases to ensure compliance with fiscal rules.  
• Implements and administers the College’s procurement card program and monitor all transactions for policy compliance.  

• Identifies opportunities to reduce costs; analyzes available data, trends, and feedback, and ensures compliance with expectations for optimal operation and goal achievement.  

Contract Administration  

• Reviews, negotiates, and drafts and edits contracts, agreements, grants, sub-contracts, leases, contract amendments, renewals and other legally binding documents.   
• Supports contract management with understanding and interpretation of contract terms and conditions to resolve administrative and management problems, changes in requirements, resolution of contract disputes, and contract termination.  

• Minimizes institutional liability by reviewing and recommending approval or disapproval of College contracts in terms of the adequacy of contract terminology and content and obligation of the physical resources of the College.  
•   
• Customer Service  
• Assures the prompt and effective delivery of essential goods and services to the College's administrative and academic departments.  
• Promotes exceptional customer service by maintaining an active dialogue with departments regarding purchasing policies and procedures, providing training to keep the departments current in all aspects of procurement operations, and soliciting feedback from customers regarding Procurement Services’ existing services.  

• Conduct training for administration, college departments, grant directors, and faculty and staff to aid in the understanding of the purchasing process including the purchasing card, RFP process, requisitions, travel forms and check requests.   
• Direct College department heads in the procurement process in order to meet program needs most effectively.  

Management  

• Ensures fiscal responsibility and accountability through oversight of the annual departmental budget, authorizing the expenditure of funds, and exercising fiscal management for areas under direct supervision.  

• Develops a competent, productive, and effective departmental staff by recruiting and hiring qualified applicants, providing training and orientation on departmental policies and procedures, assigning work responsibilities and priorities, supervising (directly and through delegation) work activities, and evaluating the performances of professional, clerical, and support personnel.  
• Review and maintain good record of purchasing files and records (purchase orders, contracts, etc.) to ensure its compliance with College policies and procedures and ensure the availability of documentation.  
• Continually evaluate/improve purchasing processes.  

Travel Management  

• Responsible for administration of College Travel Program  
• Review and approval all travel authorizations and travel reconciliations for adherence to fiscal rules to ensure acceptable expenditures and documentation.  
• Manage event card including training of College employees in the appropriate use of the Event card   
• Coordination with the issuing bank regard the overall Event card program.  

Other  

• Remains competent and current in best-in-class purchasing practices through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the Chief Financial Officer.  
• Contributes to the overall success of the College by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Financial Officer.  
• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities  
• Maintains knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508.  
• Produces and remediates digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards.  

• Perform other duties as assigned  

Work Conditions 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).  

• Ability to work in a confined area.  
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.  

Compensation  

Salary is $70,000 to $76,000  plus a comprehensive benefits package.   

The anticipated start date is July 1, 2021.   

 
Application Process 
A complete application packet includes: 

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for position 

• Include details regarding how your personal and professional experiences allow you to encourage a learning environment grounded in equity and inclusion.  “How do you envision contributing to Fort Lewis College’s commitment to equity and inclusion?” 

• Resume 
• Names and contact information for three current, professional references 

Submit materials as one PDF file via email to: 

PurchasingDirector-Search@fortlewis.edu 

Application materials received on or before April 18, 2021, will receive full consideration. 

Position will remain open until filled. 

The successful candidate will be required to submit original, official college transcripts,  

and pass a background check. 

The College and the Community  

Fort Lewis College, a public institution located in Durango, Colorado, offers degree programs in arts, business, education, health fields, humanities, social and natural sciences, and teacher education. Our inspiring mountain campus is located atop a scenic mesa overlooking historic Durango and situated between the San Juan Mountains and the desert Southwest. We are committed to accessible and high-quality baccalaureate education, and our hallmarks are remarkably close relationships between students and faculty, the freedom of intellectual exploration, and the challenge of experiential learning. Our 3,300 students come from 48 states, 17 countries, with 36% Native American and Alaska Native backgrounds, and 11% Hispanic backgrounds. Durango is a thriving multicultural community of 18,500 set along the beautiful Animas River Valley. Averaging 300 sunny days per year, the community is known for its outdoor lifestyle and friendly, festive atmosphere. Durango is also the cultural and economic hub of the Four Corners region, rich in dining, shopping, and entertainment, and linked with airline service to hubs in Denver, Phoenix, and Dallas. 

Equal Opportunity   

Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment.  

To file a report, get resources, read policies, or make an appointment, See www.fortlewis.edu/CARE.  

Questions about Title IX sex discrimination?  

Office of the Title 9 Coordinator  

Molly Wieser  

230 Skyhawk Station  

1000 Rim Drive  

Durango, Colorado 81301  

(970) 247-7241 wieser_m@fortlewis.edu  

Other discrimination questions?   

Office of the Equal Opportunity Coordinator  

David Pirrone  

192 Education Business Hall  

1000 Rim Drive  

Durango, Colorado 81301  

(970) 247-7182 djpirrone@fortlewis.edu  

Information about Fort Lewis College’s alcohol and drug policy, sexual assault policy, campus security policies, campus crime statistics, fire safety procedures and fire statistics, and campus/community resources can be found in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Hard copies are available upon request. 

  * Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLC's Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.  

ADAA Accommodations  

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Kristin Polens by phone 970-247-7459 or email kpolens@fortlewis.edu at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.