Senior Contract Buyer

Office: Internal Services

Department: Purchasing

Company Overview:

Pace is the premier suburban transit provider, safely and efficiently moving people to work, school, and other regional destinations. Pace’s family of public transportation offers affordable and environmentally responsible transit options for the residents of 274 municipalities in Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and McHenry counties. The backbone of Chicago’s suburbs, Pace serves tens of thousands of daily riders. One of the largest bus services in North America, Pace covers 3,677 square miles, an area nearly the size of the state of Connecticut and about 15 times the size of the City of Chicago. Pace’s innovative approach to public transportation gives the agency a national reputation as an industry leader.

Job Description:

Under the direction of the Chief Procurement Officer or Deputy Chief Procurement Officer, the Senior Contract Buyer is responsible for the procurement of a wide variety of complex operating and capital funded services, materials, and equipment in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and Pace policies and procedures. Job duties include:

1. creating purchase orders and change orders; analyzing bids/proposals;
2. conducting complex cost and price analyses;
3. conducting research;
4. preparing documents to present to executive management and the Pace Board of Directors;
5. facilitating contract negotiations;
6. collaborating with Pace personnel on contract administration and developing scopes of work;
7. recommending contract termination; educating and assisting others regarding the application of Pace procurement procedures and FTA rules;
8. conducting RFP evaluation committees;
9. gathering and submitting documents responsive to Freedom of Information Act requests;
10. addressing contract compliance issues; mentoring junior buyers, as needed; and
11. performing other duties as assigned or required.

This position is subject to the provisions set forth in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 (c) of the State Officials and Employee Ethics Act.

Qualifications

Education:

Qualified candidate must have a bachelor's degree in business or related field or equivalent work experience.

Experience:

Must have more than three years of senior mid-level public procurement/contracting experience including prior transit procurement experience and a good work history; experience procuring construction services and architectural and engineering services is preferred.

Certifications:

Certified Public Purchasing Buyer (CPPB) or Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) from the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) or ISM certification is preferred.

Proficiencies:

Must have an aptitude for comprehending rules, policies, regulations, and requirements including the Brooks Act and the Davis-Bacon Act, and correctly applying them to each procurement. Must have the demonstrated ability to work independently, efficiently, and successfully on numerous projects simultaneously in order to meet deadlines. Must possess and demonstrate excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills. Must be detail oriented with a demonstrated aptitude for mathematics. Must have effective problem-solving skills, make sound decisions, and maintain confidentiality. Must have intermediate level proficiency with Microsoft suite applications including Outlook, Word, and Excel and with ERP systems including Oracle and People Soft.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to sit for extended periods of time, type on a computer, and carry objects weighing up to 10 pounds.

Working Conditions:

The position is based in an office setting with standard office equipment. The typical workday is conducted over an 8-hour period and can begin as early as 7:00 am and end no later than 6:00pm, Monday through Friday.

This position is eligible for hybrid schedule after successful completion of 6-month job introduction period

Salary:

Full Salary Range: $63,306-$133,008

Midpoint: $98,157

Starting Salary: $90,419 – 109,936

BENEFITS SUMMARY

How to Apply:

Apply online at www.pacebus.com and include your resume with your application.

Pace is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. If you encounter difficulties or limitations in using or accessing our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Devlin.collins@pacebus.com.

Pace is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.