AGENCY PROCUREMENT OFFICER (APO)

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Agency Procurement Officer (APO). This position will review, prepare, and negotiate complex contractual procurements and direct subordinate staff in the delivery of procurement services to support IDES operations. Responsibilities include directing agency-wide procurement functions (including purchase requisitions, vendor solicitations, bid selections, quality review and purchasing analyses), implementing broad administrative programs and long-range plans, and serving as a liaison to external parties for IDES in matters regarding procurement issues. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who has a strong knowledge of procurement processes and systems and is dedicated to improving procurement methods and procedures to implement best practices. The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent organizational skills, strong leadership skills, managerial experience in procurement, and experience negotiating complex procurement contracts with vendors. IDES offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program. We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference by ensuring the seamless delivery of goods and services to frontline agency staff as they work to assist Illinois job seekers. 

Essential Functions

• Serves as Agency Procurement Officer (APO), overseeing all procurement operations for the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
• Confers and interacts regularly with the Illinois Executive Ethics Commission (EEC) and Chief Procurement Office (CPO) to ensure agency procurement practices conform to current legislation and standards of efficiency, transparency, fairness, and integrity
• Initiates and implements broad administrative programs and long-range plans, goals and objectives for management of Procurement Services
• Directs, develops and implements process and workflow improvements to support system updates and changes 
• Serves as full-line supervisor
• Serves as a liaison to external parties for the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) in matters regarding Procurement issues
• 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 with coursework in accounting, business, and/or public administration
• Requires prior experience equivalent to four (4) years of progressively responsible procurement experience for a governmental entity

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) years of managerial experience in a procurement program, with responsibilities that included areas such as developing long-term goals, implementing strategic objectives, and directing daily operations
• Possession of a Certified Public Procurement Buyer or Certified Public Procurement Officer credential
• Four (4) years of experience working with government procurement processes and e-procurement systems, including but not limited to BidBuy or SAP
• Two (2) years of experience coordinating cross-functional teams to establish contract terms and negotiate purchasing contracts
• Two (2) years of professional experience performing cost and term analyses in a procurement capacity, including use of tools such as Microsoft Excel
• Two (2) years of professional experience supervising staff, including providing training and evaluating staff performance

Conditions of Employment

• 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
• Requires engagement with Business Enterprise Program (BEP) contractors and subcontractors and support for the goals of the BEP and the Fair Contracting Task Force
• Requires an Illinois State Police background check and self-disclosure of any 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 requires the ability to work evenings and weekends
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate
• This position is considered sedentary work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(a)). Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and requires occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing
• 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
• 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

The Illinois Department of Employment Security’s (IDES) mission is to serve Illinois workers and employers to the best of our ability and to use our knowledge of the Illinois workforce to inform sound policy decision making.  IDES encourages economic growth and stability in Illinois by providing vital Employment Services to Illinois residents and employers, analyzing and disseminating actionable Labor Market Information, and administering Unemployment Insurance programs.