Applications & Security Category Buyer (Executive II)

at Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology in Springfield, Illinois, United States

Job Description

25% Under general direction, serves as an Applications & Security Category Buyer for the Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT):

• Organizes, plans, executes, controls, and evaluates the operation of routine processing of purchases under the assigned portfolio.
• Confers with end users and agency staff to design procurement specifications.
• Provides technical assistance and guidance to management, end users, and supporting personnel in determining the technical specifications for the solicitation
• Organizes, plans, executes, and controls the methods and procedures needed for initiating and processing the procurements in the assigned portfolio.
• Identifies appropriate method of source selection including non-competitive, simple competitive and complex, small purchase methods. 
• Processes transactions in compliance with the Illinois Procurement Code
• Utilizes required methods of source selection based on operational need. 
• Executes operating procedures for purchases under the assigned portfolio.
• Analyzes and solicits vendor pool and reviews responses from vendors.
• Processes procurements through external and internal procurement requirements.
• Utilizes non-competitive and competitive procurement principles, such as Invitation for Bids (IFB), Request for Quotes (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP), or Request for Information (RFI) in the planning, development, negotiation, and implementation of strategic sourcing contracts with new suppliers in performance of duties. 
• Utilizes Microsoft Office Suite in performance of duties

20% Processes procurements through the State of Illinois electronic procurement system including the preparation and processing of requisitions, bids, and purchase orders, pursuant to applicable statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements:

• Receives and analyzes purchase requests.
• Uses other required systems for the processing of procurement activity. 
• Engages with Business Enterprise Program (BEP) contractors and subcontractors and supports the goals of the BEP program and the Fair Contracting Task Force per Executive Order 2018-07.

20% Meets and confers with Agency managers and end users in the administration of procurements for the assigned portfolio:

• Collaborates with end users and vendors to complete necessary documentation for procurements. 
• Evaluates, exercises judgment and discretion, and makes final selection of appropriate vendor using principles of government procurement code/rules and program awards
• Prepares contracts in accordance with applicable procurement guidelines 

15% Tracks and reports on all related procurement activities and reports to Applications & Security Portfolio Manager on procurement requests and activities:

• Prepares documentation for procurements related to the assigned portfolio, including memoranda and correspondences.
• Researches and prepares responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, department reports, Chief Procurement Office-General Services (CPO-GS) reports, cost benchmarking, contract performance, and audit requests. 
• Maintains portfolio training and policy manuals. 
• Assists with training as directed by the Applications & Security Portfolio Manager. 

10% Serves as liaison with DoIT Legal, Executive Ethics Commission (EEC), DoIT end-users, and vendors for IT Applications & Security procurement issues:

• Analyzes procurement issues and coordinates with DoIT management to ensure technology procurement documentation and criteria are complete, accurate, and processed in an efficient and timely manner.  
• Communicates with DoIT management and others regarding requirements and deadlines necessary for successful completion.
• Communicates with DoIT Legal on assigned contract management issues to obtain final approval.

5% Keeps abreast of new developments in the procurement field:

• Continues education by attending meetings, training sessions, seminars and conferences to increase familiarity with and maintain current on products, vendors, techniques and procedures.
• Attends demonstrations and exhibitions related to assigned operations

5% Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.