Senior Buyer / Procurement Coordinator

The Department of Fire Services (DFS) provides training for firefighters, fire prevention, fire code enforcement, education to the general public, hazardous materials and emergency response and oversees fire investigations through the Office of the State Fire Marshal. We support the fire service in the protection of life and property, promote and enhance firefighter safety, and provide fire service leadership through policy and legislation.
The DFS Finance Office is seeking to hire two (2) Senior Buyer/Procurement Administrators to supervise and support the purchasing activities of the department. The Senior Buyer will report to and work under the direction of the Director of Contracts and Procurement and will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of purchasing, Request For Response (RFR) bidding, and supervising staff.
Specific duties will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Review and prepare bids for posting, including 801 CMR 21.00 goods & services procurements as well as MGL c.149 and MGL c.30, 39M construction procurements.
• Confer with agency staff, vendors and potential contractors in order to exchange information and resolve problems relative to the negotiation and execution of contracts, as well as compliance with executed contracts.
• Negotiate contracts, rate renewals, grants, and other agreements.
• Monitor execution of contracts and contract-related activities in order to ensure compliance with agreements and established performance standards and to recommend or request amendments or extensions of contracts.
• Draft and review contract documents for accuracy, completeness and content, and for compliance with governing laws, rules and regulations in order to ensure the inclusion of required information.
• Review procurements to ensure that the Small Business Purchasing Program, Supplier Diversity Program and Environmental Purchasing program requirements are being properly addressed.
• Serve as the Finance Office liaison to the Procurement Team Leader including coordinating the development of RFRs, participating in Strategic Sourcing Team meetings, conducting research and interviews, drafting language, and hosting bidders' conferences and debriefing sessions.
• Supervise and coordinate the activities of Buyer II.
• Review and approve MMARS and COMMBUYS purchasing transactions.
• Maintain all COMMBUYS website data for assigned contracts, including posting solicitations, contract awards, updates and amendments.
• Provide technical assistance and advice to agency personnel, vendors, & other external customers.
• Develop written guidance to support the procurement activities of the agency.
• Conduct site visits to selected grantees and contractors to determine if there are any compliance issues that need to be addressed; documenting issues and working with grantee or contractor to address them.
• Evaluate purchasing trends, business conditions, budgetary factors, and user requirements to develop recommendations for improved contracts, purchasing practices and procedures.

Qualifications:
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional or paraprofessional experience in purchasing work, and (B) of which at least three years must have been in a professional capacity, and (C) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory capacity, or (D) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. An Associate's degree with a major in business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*
II. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major in business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.*
*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience. No substitutions will be permitted for the required (C) experience.
Special Requirements: None.
The primary work location for this role will be at the DFS Stow MA campus. Where appropriate, DFS offers a hybrid work model, consisting of in-office and telework to further enhance the work/life balance of its employees. The successful candidate would be required to work primarily on site during initial training and orientation period before telework may be offered and/or for certain positions, telework may not be appropriate.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
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Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.