Chief Procurement Officer

Performs executive-level professional work of unusual difficulty in planning, organizing, directing, and transforming the procurement activities of the City of Kansas City, Missouri.

Serves as the City's principal public procurement official and chief procurement executive responsible for the acquisition of goods, supplies, technology, professional services, construction, and general services in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and City policies.

Provides strategic procurement leadership and contractual guidance to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, Director of General Services, Department Directors, Boards, Commissions, and other stakeholders. Leads the City's procurement operation to ensure transparency, integrity, competition, accountability, innovation, and best value while advancing Citywide strategic objectives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as the City's principal procurement official and chief advisor on procurement, contracting, supplier management, sourcing strategies, and procurement policy.
• Develops and implements short-term and long-term procurement strategies aligned with City Council priorities and organizational goals.
• Leads the transformation of Procurement Services from a transactional purchasing organization to a strategic sourcing and category management organization.
• Establishes performance measures, benchmarks, and key performance indicators to evaluate procurement effectiveness and organizational performance.
• Serves as a strategic business partner to City leadership in procurement, contracting, and supplier-related matters.

Procurement Operations

• Directs the timely procurement of all goods, supplies, professional services, construction services, technology services, and other acquisitions required by City departments.
• Ensures compliance with applicable procurement laws, charter requirements, ordinances, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Reviews and monitors delegated procurement activities to ensure consistency, transparency, and compliance across City government.
• Ensures solicitations, proposals, and bid evaluations are conducted fairly, competitively, and in accordance with City requirements.
• Makes determinations regarding bid protests, contract disputes, claims, and procurement policy interpretations.

Strategic Sourcing and Category Management

• Leads strategic sourcing, category management, cooperative purchasing, and supplier management initiatives.
• Utilizes spend analytics, market intelligence, and cost analysis to identify opportunities for cost savings, cost avoidance, standardization, and process improvements.
• Develops sourcing strategies that maximize value, reduce risk, and improve service delivery.
• Promotes best-value procurement methodologies and innovative acquisition strategies.

Contract and Supplier Management

• Serves as the City's chief negotiator or directs negotiations for contracts involving professional services, construction, commodities, information technology, and other procurements.
• Establishes standard contract clauses, procurement templates, and contracting standards.
• Reviews and executes contracts, purchase orders, change orders, and other procurement documents within delegated authority.
• Establishes and oversees contract administration and supplier-performance management programs.
• Maintains productive relationships with suppliers while protecting the City's interests and maintaining procurement integrity.

Technology and Innovation

• Leads procurement technology modernization efforts, including eProcurement platforms, contract management systems, supplier portals, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
• Identifies and implements technology solutions that improve procurement efficiency, transparency, reporting, and customer service.
• Promotes the use of data analytics, automation, dashboards, and performance reporting to support decision-making.

Leadership and Workforce Development

• Selects, supervises, develops, and evaluates division personnel.
• Establishes workforce development, succession planning, cross-training, mentoring, and leadership development programs.
• Promotes professional certifications and continuing education for procurement staff.
• Creates a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.

Stakeholder and Public Engagement

• Represents Procurement Services before City Council, City management, suppliers, public agencies, professional organizations, and the public.
• Develops collaborative relationships with elected officials, City departments, community stakeholders, suppliers, and regulatory agencies.
• Communicates complex procurement and contractual matters clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Administration

• Develops, recommends, and monitors divisional budgets.
• Prepares and presents reports, recommendations, policies, and performance metrics related to procurement operations.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Comprehensive knowledge of:

• Government procurement and supply chain management.
• Strategic sourcing and category management.
• Public contracting, construction procurement, and contract administration.
• Public procurement law, ethics, and regulatory compliance.
• Spend analysis, procurement analytics, market analysis, and cooperative purchasing.
• Budgeting, finance, administration, and organizational management.
• Change management and organizational transformation.
• ERP systems, eProcurement technologies, and procurement automation.
• CREO requirements and supplier outreach best practices.

Ability to:

• Lead and motivate high-performing teams.
• Develop strategic plans and execute complex initiatives.
• Manage organizational change and modernization efforts.
• Present effectively before City Council, executive leadership, and public audiences.
• Negotiate complex agreements and resolve disputes.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Develop collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate sound judgment, integrity, and professional ethics.

LEADERSHIP PROFILE

The ideal candidate is an innovative, collaborative, and results-oriented procurement executive who combines technical procurement expertise with strategic leadership, political acumen, and exceptional interpersonal skills.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Commitment to ethical and transparent public procurement.
• Experience leading organizational transformation and modernization.
• Strong business acumen and customer-focused decision making.
• Executive communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A passion for workforce development and succession planning.
• The ability to balance operational excellence with long-term strategic initiatives.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Accredited Bachelor's degree and seven (7) years of experience at the level of Procurement Manager; OR
• Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field and five (5) years of experience at the level of Procurement Manager.

Preferred Experience

• Local government procurement leadership.
• Large-scale construction, technology, and professional services procurement.
• ERP implementation and procurement technology modernization.
• Strategic sourcing and category management programs.
• Organizational change management and workforce development initiatives.

CERTIFICATES / LICENSES / SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), or Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) certification.
• Must pass a background check as prescribed by the City.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Supervision is exercised over all assigned professional, technical, and administrative personnel. Responsibilities include staffing, performance management, professional development, succession planning, and organizational effectiveness.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

• Work is performed under the general supervision of the Deputy Director of General Services.