Manager of Contracts and Procurement

Contracts and Procurement Program

Including procurements related to the agency’s Capital Improvement Program, more than 1,000 transactions, totaling approximately $1.5 billion are processed through the Contracts and Procurement team annually. SANDAG procures construction, engineering, technical, and professional service contracts each year through 100 formally advertised procurements along with 30 small or informal procurements, 200 purchase orders, and more than 400 task orders and contract amendments.  Additionally, this team is responsible for maintaining a variety of other contractual documents including grants, property acquisitions, and revenue agreements. 

The Contracts and Procurement team provides the framework, guidance, and expertise to ensure that public dollars are spent prudently and that any contracts for work, services, or equipment are awarded in an open, fair, and competitive manner. The team works closely with project managers and employees across the organization to develop solicitation documents, coordinate the submittal and review of proposals/bids, and initiate resulting contracts, task orders, and purchase orders. The team contributes to the agency’s ability to deliver on its regional responsibilities while providing strong customer service.


Manager of Contracts and Procurement Role

The Manager of Contracts and Procurement oversees the delivery of comprehensive, agency-wide procurement services while ensuring adherence to related agency, state, and federal regulations and laws. This position develops and administers contracts and procurement policies, programs, and activities, and manages a group of 22-employees.


Job Responsibilities

This position is best suited for an experienced procurement professional with expertise in contracting programs and processes. We anticipate career development will occur while working on the types of duties and responsibilities described below and through mentoring and close collaboration with agency executives. Examples of primary responsibilities include:

• Oversee contracting and procurement activities such as the preparation of bid/proposal solicitations and related advertisements, bid/proposal openings and review, pre-award audits, contract/procurement awards and execution, and review of payment requests from contractors; ensure the agency’s procedures and records are accurate and comply with established agency, state, and federal rules and regulations.
• Oversee development and maintenance of contracting and procurement policies and procedures; streamline workflow to reduce the processing time of contracts and purchase orders; recommend and implement procedural improvements; ensure bid and proposal formats are compliant with SANDAG policy and appropriate laws and regulations.
• Identify, establish, and maintain best practices for SANDAG Contracts and Procurement services; develop and implement processes and procedures that are customer oriented, ensure compliance with funding agencies and public sector contracting requirements, and facilitate completion of procurements in an efficient and expeditious manner.
• Coordinate with executives and legal counsel on the modification of standard contract terms and conditions; modify standard contract language to reflect changes to laws, regulations, and ordinances; consult with legal counsel on complex contractual issues.
• Prepare, plan, and negotiate terms and conditions for complex multi-jurisdictional, multi-year, or diversely funded contracts and ensure they represent the best interests of the agency.
• Provide guidance to staff to resolve contractual issues including interpreting or negotiating contract language changes; arrange resolution sessions to consider or initiate claims for adjusting compensation or other forms of relief on contracts; recommend appropriate actions and obtain authorization to resolve claims; review, prepare, and submit supporting documents, contracts, service agreements, change orders, and amendments for agency approval.
• Manage the Contracts and Procurement work program; oversee and coordinate projects assigned to the group; supervise, mentor, train, and support career development opportunities for employees; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.
• Assist with monitoring the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) compliance and reporting functions.
• Participate in the review of plans, specifications, and related documents to be submitted to federal and state agencies for approval.
• Serve as a liaison with other departments; establish and maintain relationships with contractors, business representatives, and related public agencies; respond to public inquiries as appropriate and resolve significant and controversial issues.

Experience and Qualifications

Numerous factors contribute to an individual’s ability to be successful in any given role. For this position, we are searching for a candidate who has a strong technical background and an aptitude for analytical thinking and problem solving, who is responsible, organized, and demonstrates initiative. Excellent communication skills, the ability to work collaboratively, and the use of sound judgment are important.

The minimum education, training, and experience qualifications include a bachelor’s degree with major course work in public administration, business administration, finance, law, or a related field and seven years of recent, increasingly responsible, professional contracts and procurement experience, including two years of supervisory experience. Public agency experience, and an advanced degree and/or a Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) and/or Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) designation is desirable.

The following information describes the specific types of career experiences that are most relevant to this position.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, practices, and current trends related to a comprehensive contracts and procurement program, particularly in the areas of professional services contracts, Architectural and Engineering, and construction contracts prepared for the delivery of complex capital projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing or leading a comprehensive procurement program that ensures compliance with state and federal policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience with all phases of the procurement process including posting/adverting contracting opportunities, coordinating and facilitating pre-proposal/bid meetings, reviewing proposals/bids for submittal requirements, coordinating the review and selection of consultants/contractors and vendors by project managers, negotiating contract terms and conditions, and preparing contracts, agreements, and task orders.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and reviewing various solicitation documents such as Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Invitation for Bids (IFBs) for small, informal, and formal procurements, including Multiple Award On-Call Contracts, Job Order Contracts (JOCs), task orders, amendments, and purchase orders; knowledge of Design-Build (D/B) and Construction Manager General Contractor (CM/GC) contracts is desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of rules, regulations, and laws related to public agency contracts such as the Brooks Act and Public Contract Code; demonstrated knowledge of sources of funding for regional transportation projects; demonstrated ability to apply and incorporate funding agency requirements into the contracting process.
• Experience supervising and mentoring professional and technical employees; experience providing administrative and professional leadership and direction for assigned programs. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program requirements; experience supporting DBE and small business efforts.
• Outstanding written and oral presentation skills and the ability to communicate clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences including elected officials, technical staff, and the public; experience preparing clear and concise administrative and management reports.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during work including representatives from local, state, and federal agencies, other government officials, community leaders, and the public; ability to gain cooperation and consensus through discussion and persuasion.
• Demonstrated computer software proficiency using various programs from the Microsoft Office Suite, in particular Word, Excel, and Access, and other PC-based applications; experience with OneSolution, Compliance Information Systems, and project management software is desirable.
• The selected candidate can anticipate a driving record check upon hire, and approximately annually thereafter. The results of the check may determine whether the selected candidate will be permitted to drive for SANDAG business.

Salary and Benefits

SANDAG rewards the efforts of its employees with a comprehensive compensation package. Competitive salaries are supplemented with a flexible offering of health, financial security, and time-off benefits to meet the work and life needs of employees and their families.

The annual salary range for the Manager of Contracts and Procurement position is $82,144 to $136,688 per year.

Our benefits include traditional health, dental, and vision insurance as well as employee assistance, wellness, and work/life balance programs. Retirement and financial security benefits are provided through a pension plan and deferred compensation program. To support the need to rest and rejuvenate, employees are provided with a bank of paid time off in addition to paid holidays.


How to Apply

We encourage all interested candidates to apply for this position by completing a SANDAG Employment Application form. Resumes, cover letters, and work samples may be submitted in addition to the Employment Application but are not a substitute for this document.

The Employment Application can be downloaded in PDF format from the SANDAG website. Alternatively, a copy can be requested by calling (619) 699-1900 or emailing hr@sandag.org. Completed applications and related materials can be submitted via email, fax, regular mail, courier, or delivered by hand. See our Careers / How to Apply webpage for additional information.

This position is Open until Filled. The first review of applications for this position will begin on Friday,
April 27, 2018.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), SANDAG will accommodate persons who require assistance in order to apply for a position at SANDAG. Applicants requiring an accommodation due to a disability during any stage of the recruitment and selection process, including requesting this document and related application materials in an alternative format, should make their needs known by contacting Human Resources at (619) 699-1900, (619) 699-1904 (TTY), fax (619) 699-6905, or hr@sandag.org.


Application Supplement

To help us further evaluate the skills and experience of individuals interested in this position, applicants are asked to respond to the Supplemental Questions below. The information can be up to 500 words per question and should be submitted with the Employment Application. This is considered a required component of the application; applications received without a response will be screened out of the selection process.

Supplemental Questions

1. Describe your approach to leadership; provide an example of a recent leadership success.

2. Describe an example that demonstrates your ability to creatively solve a contracting-related challenge.


Candidate Selection and Notification

Following the first review date for applications, all candidates will receive written confirmation that their application was received. The hiring manager will begin reviewing and evaluating applications within a few days of the first review date. The best qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. All candidates will receive written notification as to the final outcome of their application.


Further Information

The SANDAG website contains a wealth of information about our various project and program areas. The Careers section of the site lists all of our current Job Openings as well as information on how to apply for positions and Frequently Asked Questions about our recruitment process.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, applicants hired by SANDAG must show acceptable proof of identity and evidence of authorization to work in the United States.


SANDAG is an Equal Opportunity Employer