Senior Director for Purchasing (Purchasing Officer)

Overview

OSITION TITLE (Oracle title)

SENIOR DIRECTOR

WORKING TITLE

Purchasing Officer

SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT

Purchasing

LOCATION

Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh, NC

PAY GRADE

Senior Director Band 1

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

No

WORK WEEK SCHEDULE

Monday-Friday (occasional evenings and weekends) Position is not available for a hybrid telework workweek

POSITION PURPOSE:

Provides executive-level leadership for the Wake County Public School System's (WCPSS) procurement operations under the general direction of the Finance Officer. Provides strategic leadership and oversight for district-wide procurement, surplus property management, warehouse operations, courier and mail services, and purchasing compliance. Ensures all procurement activities adhere to federal, state, and local statutes while promoting operational efficiency, fiscal stewardship, and risk mitigation. Leads procurement innovation, manages high-value contracts, and develops policies, training, and systems that support transparent and compliant purchasing operations across the district. Also leads and supervises purchasing staff and ensures that procurement activities effectively support the operational and educational mission of WCPSS.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office specifically, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Google Apps;
• Considerable professional experience in governmental or public-sector purchasing and procurement, including competitive bidding, contract administration, and regulatory compliance;
• Demonstrated leadership experience with progressively responsible supervisory and management responsibilities;
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with the ability to interpret and present complex compensation data;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback; excellent public speaking and presentation skills;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school system staff, external funding agencies, and the community.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, finance, supply chain management, or a closely related field from an accredited institution;
• Five years of progressive experience in procurement, purchasing, sourcing, or supply chain operations;
• Experience using ERP or procurement systems (SAP, Oracle, MS Dynamics, etc.);
• Three years of supervisory experience;
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), or equivalent.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with Oracle ERP systems;
• Experience in a public school system, local government, or other public entity.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Directs all district procurement activities, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local purchasing statutes, policies, and competitive bidding requirements.
2. Oversees contract development, negotiation, processing, and approval to ensure legal, regulatory, and audit compliance.
3. Develops and implements procurement strategies that support organizational goals and ensure responsible stewardship of public funds.
4. Maintains expert knowledge of procurement laws and practices in governmental and private sectors to guide policy development and operational improvements.
5. Provides guidance to district leadership and departments on procurement regulations, risk mitigation, and contract management practices.
6. Applies risk management principles to purchasing activities to minimize financial, operational, and compliance risks.
7. Ensures procurement systems support competitive bidding, vendor management, transparency, and regulatory compliance.
8. Oversees administration and use of the North Carolina electronic Vendor Portal (eVP) including electronic bidding and eProcurement platforms.
9. Evaluates and implements technology solutions that improve procurement efficiency, reporting, and compliance.
10. Oversees the district procurement card (P-Card) program to ensure accountability, compliance, and strong financial controls.
11. Promotes transparency, accountability, and collaboration between purchasing, finance, and operational departments.
12. Oversees surplus property and recycling programs to ensure efficient asset management and compliance with statutory and policy requirements.
13. Develops and delivers procurement training and serves as a subject matter expert on purchasing procedures and compliance requirements.
14. Manages daily warehouse operations, including materials distribution, inventory management, and workplace safety compliance.
15. Oversees district courier and mail services to ensure reliable and efficient delivery of materials, documents, and equipment.
16. Performs other related duties, as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job operates in a professional office environment and has a noise level of mostly low to moderate. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, scanners, and copiers. The position, at times, must be able to come into direct contact with school system staff, external agencies, and the public. Work is considered light physical work, requiring the exertion of up to ten pounds of force.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 3/2026

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required by the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by HR and approved at any time.