The Department of Central Management Services Bureau of Strategic Sourcing (BOSS) is seeing to hire a Buyer/Purchasing & Contract Specialist. This professional level position has the ability to positively affect the daily work conducted by numerous State employees around the State of Illinois by ensuring that necessary contracts that meet the needs of agencies and units of local government are available. The ideal candidate would be detail orientated, a dynamic leader who will help expand the Bureau's contract catalog in Equipment and Commodities Portfolio. We invite all qualified candidates to apply.

Position Essential Functions

• Under the direction of the Sourcing Specialist, performs professional tasks such as administering the initial development of solicitation specifications and evaluation of purchases in the Equipment and Commodities portfolio.
• Executes procedures necessary to process solicitations in the current eProcurement system.
• Prepares correspondence, management reports, memoranda, and various documents regarding status of requisition, purchase orders, and complaints.
• Survey agency users regarding master contracts and evaluates vendor performance.
• Responds to a variety of inquiries or requests from vendors and agencies that are received via telephone, written correspondence, in person, the Internet or Intranet which are related to areas of responsibility.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, preferably with major courses in public or business administration.
• Requires two (2) years of professional experience in centralized procurement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers two (2) years of professional experience in a Buyer’s role where the acquisition of supplies or services is the primary responsibility in accordance with established policies and procedures for a public or business organization.
• Prefers two (2) years of professional experience working with procurement systems including, but not limited to BidBuy, Systems Applications and Products (SAP) Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), Illinois Procurement Gateway, or comparable systems, etc.
• Prefers two (2) years of professional experience creating, managing, negotiating, and executing Invitations for Bid (IFB).
• Prefers a Certified Professional Procurement Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), or Certified Procurement Professional (CPP) Certification.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience working with a Business Enterprise Program (BEP).
• Prefers a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires the ability to use agency technology/equipment (i.e., mobile phone, laptop, etc.) properly in accordance with information security awareness policies and confidentiality guidelines.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
• Per Executive Order 2018-07, requires engagement with Business Enterprise Program (BEP) contractors and subcontractors and support for the goals of the BEP program and the Fair Contracting Task Force when applicable.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

Central Management Services (CMS) is the State of Illinois’ central operational support agency, the team that keeps government running smoothly behind the scenes. We provide the essential services that enable more than 80 agencies, boards, and commissions to serve the people of Illinois effectively. As the backbone of state operations, CMS delivers high‑quality, reliable, and forward‑thinking services that help government programs work efficiently and meet the needs of residents statewide.

Our vision is to be the trusted partner dedicated to the success of the State of Illinois through service, optimization, and inclusion. Our mission is to be the accessible agency that delivers essential, effective, and efficient services to State agencies and the people of Illinois. Our core values are: Trusted, Strategic, Effective, Innovative, Responsive, and Inclusive. Through strategic leadership CMS plays a vital role in strengthening the effectiveness of Illinois State government.

CMS provides a broad portfolio of statewide services through specialized bureaus such as: Administrative Hearings • African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission • Statewide Benefits • Communication and Information • Diversity and Inclusion • Fleet Administration • Labor Relations • Operational Excellence • Statewide Personnel • Property Management • Strategic Sourcing • Surplus Equipment Control.

CMS also operates internal service bureaus that support our agency’s own effectiveness and efficiency, including,: Internal Audit • Finance and Management • Government Affairs • Human Resources • Legal Services • Strategic Transformation.

Professionals who join CMS become part of a mission‑driven organization committed to continuous improvement and public service excellence. CMS offers the opportunity to contribute to impactful statewide initiatives, collaborate with skilled and talented colleagues, shape strategic improvements across Illinois government, and support the operational foundation that allows state agencies to better serve the residents of Illinois. CMS is a place for people who want their work to matter; where innovation, service, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do

State of Illinois Benefits

As a State of Illinois employee, you receive a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position).
• 10 -25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment).
• 12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year.
• 3 paid personal business days per year.
• 13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System.
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan.
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP).
• Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.

For more information regarding State of Illinois Benefits follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

If this opportunity appeals to you, please apply today!