Procurement Manager - JOB ID 14031

Position Type:

Professional/Manager (Supervisory)

Date Posted:

5/14/2026

Location:

147

Charter Oak Avenue Closing Date:

05/29/2026 Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs. Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK-12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools. Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills.

POSITION SUMMARY

: The Procurement Manager oversees the sourcing, negotiation, and purchasing of materials, equipment, and services required by the organization in collaboration with the Purchasing Department. This role ensures fiscal responsibility, regulatory compliance, and competitive sourcing integrity while supporting the organization's operational needs and public accountability obligations. The Procurement Manager plays a key role in administering compliant and transparent solicitation processes, managing vendor relationships, optimizing procurement processes, and leading cross-functional sourcing initiatives in accordance with public purchasing requirements.

ESSENTIAL

DUTIES and

RESPONSIBILITIES

:

Duties/Responsibilities:

Leadership and Engagement:

Serve as a member of the Business Services Leadership Team. Supports and develops team members through coaching, feedback, and guidance to drive individual and team performance. Work closely with internal stakeholders (e.g., finance, operations, project teams) to understand and support procurement and Marketplace needs. Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with internal teams and external partners, fostering open communication, trust, and alignment to support successful procurement outcomes and strategic organizational goals.

Procurement:

Lead the end-to-end procurement process, including sourcing, RFQs, RFPs, IFBs, and other competitive bids, and recommend contract awards. Monitor vendor conduct during solicitations to ensure adherence to purchasing policies and fair competition standards Develop and maintain an annual Procurement calendar, scheduling recurring and new bids required by user departments. Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with agency objectives. Advise on the application of procurement laws, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance. Advise and train internal departments on procurement best practices and compliant purchasing methods. Conduct pre-bid conferences, prepare pre-bid presentations, and hold bid openings. Conduct solicitation intakes with stakeholders and departments. Coordinate and oversee the evaluation of vendor proposals. Oversee strategic sourcing and large-scale procurements (Construction grants and capital improvement projects, fleet purchases, agency-wide staffing contracts, etc.).) Review the cooperative contract for compliance and alignment to determine use cases. Maintain accurate procurement records and produce reports on supplier performance, cost savings, and KPIs (key performance indicators). Draft and review contract language (scope, deliverables, timelines, payment terms) and consult with legal as needed. Prepare and publish bid tabulations. Support budgeting and forecasting activities related to procurement spend. Confirm bonding requirements (performance, payout, bid bonds) by funding source as needed. Maintain records for audit and FOI compliance. Serve as the administrator for E-Procurement and Contract Management platform (OpenGov) Ensure vendor eligibility through debarment and suspension checks where federal funds are involved; manage and respond to vendor protests or appeals in accordance with applicable policies and procedures. Track and report participation of minority

• women
• or veteran-owned business (as applicable by funding).

Ensure all solicitations and awards comply with state and federal funding requirements, including any grant-specific procurement conditions.

CREC Cooperative Purchasing:

Maintain contract information on the CREC MarketPlace. Promote the CREC Coop, its contracts, and the Marketplace throughout New England and New York and demonstrate how we can best meet the needs of our customers. Collaborate closely with other CREC staff to address questions related to the Marketplace. Manage relationships with key suppliers to ensure promotion of the CREC contract and assist with any customer issues Monitor market trends and identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvement. Ensure compliance with company policies, legal requirements, and ethical standards. Ensure contracts comply with applicable labor and equity requirements, including determining prevailing wage applicability, incorporating required rates into solicitation and contract documents, monitoring certified payroll submissions for completeness and compliance, and ensuring all applicable contracts include required CHRO nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and contract compliance provisions. Process quarterly reports to maintain Power iB sales database. Market quarterly to new members. Attend at least one tradeshow annually to promote the program. Represent CT (CREC) on the Board for AEPA, a national purchasing cooperative. Attend the two annual meetings to vote on all business decisions in a way that supports the needs of our customers. Serve on executive positions and various committees as assigned, including treasurer, bid committees and marketing. Manage the monthly webinar series. Comply with all company policies and procedures. Other duties as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

: This position manages and is responsible for the performance management of the employees of the department and assists with hiring as needed.

COMPETENCIES

: Analytical

• Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures. Project Management
• Develops and manages procurement project plans from solicitation to award; Communicates changes and progress with stakeholders; Completes timely procurements in compliance and within established budgets; Manages project team activities. Negotiation & Contract Management
• Demonstrates the ability to strategically plan, lead, and execute negotiations, achieving best value within the bounds of public procurement law,], oversees contract and procurement risk mitigation for the organization.

Effectively manages the end-to-end contract lifecycle, including amendments, renewals, and closeout, ensuring compliance with policies, legal requirements, and organizational objectives. Technical Skills

• Maintains current knowledge of public procurement regulations, e-procurement platforms, and financial systems; pursues relevant training and certifications (CPPO, CPPB, NIGP-CPP); shares expertise with staff and internal stakeholders to build organizational procurement capacity. Customer Service
• Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments; Builds strong relationships with vendors and stakeholders to secure favorable terms, resolve conflicts, and drive sustainable partnerships Written & Oral Communication
• Drafts clear and legally defensible solicitation documents, contracts, and procurement correspondence; communicates procurement requirements and processes to non-procurement staff; responds clearly to vendor and stakeholder questions; presents procurement recommendations to leadership and governing bodies. Leadership
• Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others. Managing People
• Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services.

; Continually works to improve supervisory skills. Quality Management

• Ensures solicitation documents, evaluations, and contracts meet legal and organizational standards; promotes accuracy and thoroughness in all procurement records; monitors vendor performance against contract requirements. Cost Consciousness
• Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources. Organizational Support
• Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity. Strategic Thinking
• Analyzes procurement trends, market conditions, and organizational needs; Identifies external threats and opportunities; adapts procurement strategies to changing regulatory, budgetary, and operational conditions. Judgement
• Displays sound decision-making ; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions; Applies sound judgment, data analysis, and market insights to balance organizational needs with supplier capabilities; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals.

Applies applicable law, policy, and data to balance organizational needs with vendor capabilities and public interest obligations; Planning/Organizing

• Prioritizes and plans work tasks; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans. Innovation
• Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree (BA) from four-year college or university in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field, and five or more years of experience in end-to-end formal competitive solicitations, or equivalent combination of education and experience. At least two years in a leadership or supervisory capacity. Proficient in ERP systems (i.e. Munis) Knowledge of public procurement law and regulations (state and federal regulations, including prevailing wage, Davis-Bacon, and labor compliance) Knowledge of sourcing strategies, vendor management, and cost reduction techniques. Experience with E-Procurement platforms (EqualLevel/Marketplace, OpenGov, etc.) preferred. Public procurement professional certifications, such as

NIGP-CPP, CPPO/B

preferred

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Motor Vehicle Operator's License or ability to provide transportation to job sites, meetings, training, and professional learning opportunities as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Standing (occasionally, less than 1/3) Walking (occasionally, less than 1/3) Sitting (continually, more than 2/3) Reach with hands and arms (occasionally, less than 1/3) Ability to work outdoors (occasionally, less than 1/3) Lifting up to 10 lbs. (occasionally, less than 1/3) Carrying up to 10 lbs. (occasionally, less than 1/3) Moderate Noise

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

Group Health Insurance Plans Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance Long Term Disability & Short Term Disability options 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Matching Contribution if applicable Flexible Spending Account Pre-Tax Savings for Health Care, Dependent Care, and Limited Purpose Post-Deductible (if contributing to an HSA) Comprehensive benefit time package Employee Assistance Program Bereavement time & Religious Holidays Credit Union Access Tuition Reimbursement Program Employee Network Groups Access to professional learning opportunities with two fully paid courses through CREC University each year, empowering you to expand your skills and advance your career! Benefit from our exclusive partnership with Springfield College, offering a 15% discount on tuition for next-level degree programs to support your academic and career aspirations! Based on terms and conditions during your employment, specific to your job classification and collective bargaining agreement.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION STATEMENT

CREC strives to understand and confront the symptoms and causes of racism and prejudice�ranging from biases to aggressions to discriminatory policies, practices, and traditions�that harm people from systemically marginalized groups or that benefit privileged groups. CREC staff and students acknowledge and respect people of all identifiers, such as race, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, education, age, ability, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, language, nationality, religion, and veteran status.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

: The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.