Summary
Description
At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role.The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.
Post-Offer Requirements
– Background check (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)
While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.
Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?
- Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children) – eligible on the 1st of the month following date of hire
- Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires
- Retirement + company contributions – after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting
- Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both
- Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, financial assistance
- Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
- Wellness program, workout facilities
- Employee/family onsite health clinic
- Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility
- Collaborative work environment
To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure
Job Summary
The Purchasing Manager leads and oversees the procurement operations supporting the Utilities Department, ensuring effective, compliant, and strategic sourcing of goods, services, and capital projects in alignment with City policies, codes, and federal regulations. This role directs and develops procurement staff, manages complex and high-impact procurements, and actively engages with stakeholders, including vendors, contractors, and internal teams. The manager evaluates and implements innovative contracting methods such as CMGC and Design/Build, supports the creation and assessment of RFPs and ITBs, and drives continuous improvement through LEAN and process reengineering. Acting as a strategic partner to the Purchasing Director, this role plays a key part in shaping procurement direction, resolving disputes, and ensuring ethical, transparent, and high-performing procurement practices.
The ideal candidate will have 5-8 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. We are looking for someone with a passion for public service to bring their skills in problem solving and collaboration to the City!
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.
- Establishes assignments and defines responsibilities for direct reports and provides regular reviews, direction, guidance and development support.
- Oversees staff execution and administration of the procurement process including complex, high dollar/impact/profile, services, professional services, construction, software, materials and capital project work in accordance with City Code, Purchasing Policies and Procedures and Federal procurement requirements.
- Executes and administers certain competitive purchasing processes to balance workload and/or support a unique or complex procurement.
- Analyzes and approves utilization of innovative contracting approaches such as Alternative Project Delivery System, Construction Manager/General Contractor, Construction Manager At-Risk or Design/Build approaches.
- Provides assistance to staff and direct reports in the creation of specifications, Statements of Work, Invitations for Bids and Requests for Proposal.
- Reviews and approves bids and RFP assessment outcomes prior to notice of award.
- Interacts with vendors, contractors consultants and City staff to foster effective partnerships.
- Manages contract renewals and prioritization of new competitive processes.
- Supports the Purchasing Director as required to develop procurement strategic direction, training, code updates, budget offers, policies, processes and practices.
- Fosters compliance to ethical standards for personal conduct and procurement practices to drive equal opportunity, open competition, trust and integrity.
- Drives strategic and business process improvements and reengineering for improved efficiency and performance.
- Supports the Purchasing Director to resolve bid/RFP protests and contractual disputes.
- Ensures consistency of staff responsible for enforcing rules and regulations, and compliance with federal, state, county and City laws, rules and regulations.
- May serve in stead for the Purchasing Director in the management and day-to-day functions of the Purchasing Department.
- Trains, advises and coaches City staff on Purchasing processes and policies.
Management Responsibilities
Yes
City Competencies
- Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
- Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
- A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
- A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.
Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities
- Applies comprehensive knowledge of guidelines such as the City's Municipal Code and Charter, Purchasing Policies and Procedures, State Statutes, Federal Laws and the Uniform Commercial Code to resolve unusual and precedent-setting purchasing issues.
- Applies thorough knowledge of negotiation and contract principles and practices, serving as a resource to others on complex contract matters.
- Uses procurement, financial, database, spreadsheet, word processing and presentation software to independently manage complex procurement functions.
- Prepares bid specifications, Statements of Work (SOW) and Requests for Proposals for complex or high value purchases.
- Builds and maintains effective working relationships with internal staff, vendors and external stakeholders across a variety of situations.
- Applies working knowledge of construction procurement.
- Applies working knowledge of budgets and the budgetary process.Utilizes performance management and coaching techniques to develop staff technical proficiency.
- Delegates effectively based on staff capability and workload complexity.
- Applies comprehensive knowledge of complex procurement methods, including services, professional services, construction, software, materials and capital project procurement.
- Applies thorough knowledge of alternative project delivery approaches, including Construction Manager/General Contractor, Construction Manager At Risk and Design/Build methods.
- Analyzes complex or ambiguous procurement situations and competing demands to determine appropriate action within policy, legal and resource constraints.
- Applies thorough knowledge of dispute resolution principles and techniques.
- Communicates effectively and resolves conflict with diverse audiences, including vendors, contractors, consultants and City staff, to build trust and cooperation.
- Applies comprehensive knowledge of ethical standards governing public procurement.
- Demonstrates independent judgment in situations involving competing interests or potential conflicts of interest.
- Identifies inefficiencies and applies process improvement methods to redesign workflows.
- Thinks strategically to align procurement practices with organizational goals.
Required Qualifications
MinimumPreferredCollege degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees Bachelor's degree in Business, Purchasing, Finance, Management, or related field from an accredited college or university.
Master’s degree
Experience Requirements
- 5 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training
- Certified Public Purchasing Buyer (CPPB) preferred. Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) preferred.
The content in this posting was created for recruitment purposes. To view the full job description click the link below.
Manager, Purchasing
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.
Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.
The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.
Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.
The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.
Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.
