Job Description
IT Purchasing Specialist IT Vendor Management - Journey Agency Internal Only This job posting is exclusively for current Department of Enterprise Services employees only. All other external applications will not be accepted at this time.
Who We Are:
The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides centralized business services to state government agencies; to other public entities such as cities, counties and tribes; and to Washington residents. DES' mission is to strengthen the business of government for a sustainable and just future. Learn more about DES. About the Division:
The Technology Services Division (TSD) plans, designs, procures, or develops, operates, and maintains a suite of systems that support the functions of DES and the State of Washington. These systems include contract management, public works, finance, leasing, fleet, parking, CMS to name a few. The goal is to streamline state business processes and to provide outstanding customer service, while maintaining effective enterprise systems. DES Employees, Enterprise Application Customers and External Customers use DES systems to fulfill their agency, company or institutional missions and provide service to their customers. We deliver innovative, responsive, cost-effective, and integrated solutions and services to meet the diverse needs of both DES and enterprise customers. About this Opportunity:
The IT Purchasing Specialist researches technology solutions to identify technology that best fits within the DES IT ecosystem. This role serves as the internal and external contact for acquired software and hardware solutions; oversee contracts, contract management, purchasing, vendor, and asset management for TSD. The position establishes the procedures and standards for IT vendor management, consistent with state and agency procurement and financial policies. The IT Purchasing Specialist will ensure that all contracts with IT suppliers and vendors meet their contractual commitments to DES by providing technical vendor direction on research, consultation, hardware procurement, system maintenance, and lifecycle management through the terms of the contract. The selected internal incumbent in this position plays a vital role in ensuring transparency in DES's IT contracts and procurement spending, while also maintaining compliance with licensing requirements through strategic negotiation and management of assigned contracts. This role researches and evaluates hardware, software, and cloud technologies, and is responsible for providing recommendations for IT funding priorities that best align with business strategy and fit within the agency architecture, security, and budget constraints. This position assists in providing technical guidance to the DES IT Support Team and works directly with our DES leadership. This position reports to the Vendor Management Manager within the TSD. For more information on this internal DES opportunity, email Rachel Vaughan rachel.vaughan@des.wa.gov and request the full job description. Some of the duties associated with this position include: Vendor Management Primary point of contact Responsible for working with IT Responsible for the workflows and business processes for tracking and managing the work Engage all business stakeholders and subject matter experts Responsible for developing processes and workflows Vendor Communication & Relationship Management Manage vendor relationships Partner with small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses Analyze data to oversee vendor performance Review and update information technology software license renewals Facilitate TSD purchases and IT budget Evaluates business needs Identify shared solutions Manage requests Compare purchasing options and purchases Coordinate large IT procurements Produce complex reports in collaboration with finance and IT leadership Act as a customer liaison and advocate to foster positive relationships between multiple IT teams, agency programs and customers as well as ensuring customers and IT staff are prepared for implementation of IT services and support Collaborate with TSD and DES programs Maintain thorough knowledge of the business Proactively solves conflicts and addresses issues Ensure delivery and services and product implementations align with agency Required Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge Ways of meeting the requirements for this position: [OPTION 1
] Six (6) years of experience in information technology , such as business analysis, managing and procuring information technology assets and experience with developing and managing IT budgets. Experience with IT purchase reporting, reporting and managing IT SLAs. Work also includes working with IT, business units, and contract managers in identifying and evaluating technology services providers that are consistent with the organization's business strategy and architecture. [OPTION 2
] Associate's degree or completion of an accredited vocational training program in an information technology or related program AND Four ( 4) years' experience in information technology, such as business analysis, managing and procuring information technology assets and experience with developing and managing IT budgets. Experience with IT purchase reporting and managing IT SLAs. Work also includes working with IT, business units, and contract managers in identifying and evaluating technology services providers that are consistent with the organization's business strategy and architecture. [OPTION 3
] Bachelor's degree in information management, computer science, business administration or related field AND Two (2) years' experience in information technology , such as business analysis, managing and procuring information technology assets and experience with developing and managing IT budgets. Experience with IT purchase reporting and managing IT SLAs. Work also includes working with IT, business units, and contract managers in identifying and evaluating technology services providers that are consistent with the organization's business strategy and architecture. AND In addition to meeting with one of the above options, the internal candidate must possess knowledge of the following: Knowledge of software, hardware and peripheral installation and configuration and technical specifications experience to research IT solutions, manage IT vendors, and collaborate on the renewal of maintenance agreements Understand the complexities of how software, hardware and infrastructure interact. This role works directly with IT technicians and all levels of business staff to analyze business problems and develop IT solution options Understand, interpret, and communicate a wide range of financial and operational data Familiar with the technical research of IT solutions Familiar with the licensing processes of a Microsoft EA Agreement Familiar with working within a regulated environment when purchases and procurements are made Desired/Preferred Qualifications/Competencies Minimum of 4 years of Advanced skills and experience in modern business intelligence tools such as Microsoft Excel, Power Query, Power Pivot, and Power BI to extract, transform, and analyze data Use DES internal standard business intelligence tools to clean and create data sets and produce data visualizations Minimum of 2 years' Experience with the State project oversight and procurement policies and standards Familiarity with State RCWs, policies, processes and guidelines to be able to work within Washington State purchasing and procurement laws Experience with information technology implementations Understand how to manage the challenges and risks that come with implementing procured IT solutions Ability to clearly communicate both verbally and written, technical problems, solutions and utilize plane talk to deliver information to non-technical staff and management Ability to use active listening skills to truly understand the customer's problem or request, using curious questions to ensure a complete understanding of the issue Strategize and Planning:
Ability to direct effective strategies for achieving and maintaining excellent customer service, including well-developed negotiation and communication skills Management Principals:
Ability to apply quality management principles including using data to support decisions Judgement and Problem Solving:
Ability to analyze and be adaptable to new and demanding situations and receptive to new ideas Openness:
Actively listen, use open-ended questions to gain an understanding to promote communication, common understanding, transparency and trust Integrity and Ethics:
Act with honesty, fairness, accountability and the highest ethical standards Collaboration :
Supports teammates by sharing knowledge and experiences to promote team unity and information sharing Respect:
Treat everyone professionally and value each other's efforts and ideas Excellence:
Exemplify teamwork, commitment and responsiveness in the pursuit of quality Innovation:
Encourage creativity and informed risk-taking Build and Maintain Relationships:
Establishes and maintains good working relationships with multiple IT teams, colleagues, partners, vendors and customers by possessing sophisticated communication skills including clear "plain talk" writing Project Champion:
Understanding there is a need for change, think outside the box and explore creative options AND Incumbents to this position must possess and demonstrate the following competencies: Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our DES DEI culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, respectful and inclusive workplace Demonstrate a commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships, promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable, inclusive and respectful environment when working with members of the group, team, organization or community Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization How to Apply:
Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click "Apply" at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions. Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position: A letter of interest that details why you are the successful candidate, and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position A current resume , detailing experience, and education A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.). Please Note:
By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not be substitute for completing the "duties summary" section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for detail or your application may be disqualified. Background Check Notice:
Not applicable for current internal employees. Opportunity for All:
The Department of Enterprise Services celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws. You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials, and we will honor this as you interact with our organization. Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Rachel Vaughan via email at jobs@des.wa.gov . Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388. Follow DES on LinkedIn , Twitter and Facebook | Subscribe to DES job alerts
