Assistant Director, Strategic Procurement Operations
Pay Grade: P
PLEASE DO NOT APPLY ON THIS SITE. YOU MUST APPLY AT:
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Who We Are. We protect lives. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in communities throughout the state. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters.
What We Offer. As a member of the DPH team, you will join a group of passionate individuals dedicated to serving Georgians. Regardless of your role, you will contribute to protecting lives while enjoying a wide range of benefits.
- Make a Professional Impact – Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play.
- Enjoy Workplace Flexibility – Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and the people of Georgia.
- Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team – Collaborate with employees who share ideas and leverage collective strengths.
- Achieve Career Longevity – Take advantage of opportunities for learning and development that support a long-term career.
- Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture – Work in a unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role.
- Feel Pride in Where you Work – Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like yourself.
Under the supervision of the Director for the Office of Procurement and Contracting Services, the Assistant Director for Procurement Strategic Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for the daily activities of the Georgia Department of Health Office of Procurement and Contracting Services. The Assistant Director for Strategic Procurement Operations guides procurement and contracting functions to ensure compliance with state laws, regulations, and policies; promotes efficiency, accountability, and transparency in the acquisition of goods and services; and supports the Department’s mission through effective resource stewardship and process improvement.
Job Responsibilities:
Leadership, Management & Operational Oversight:
- Serve as a key member of the Procurement and Contracting Services leadership team, contributing to the development, communication, and execution of division-wide strategies, policies, and goals.
- Direct and manage daily procurement operations to ensure efficient workflows, compliance, and effective leadership of professional staff.
- Provide coaching, guidance, and professional development for both direct and indirect reports to ensure consistent interpretation and application of procurement and contracting policies, procedures, and standards.
- Oversee personnel management activities including hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance evaluations, recognition, and corrective action planning.
- Develop the capabilities of direct reports and subordinate staff by identifying skill gaps, creating individualized development plans, and ensuring access to training, mentorship, and growth opportunities.
- Foster a learning-oriented environment that encourages continuous skill-building, cross-training, and leadership readiness within the procurement teams.
- Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, transparency, customer service, and continuous improvement across procurement and operational functions.
- Serve as the central point for day-to-day operational workflows and escalations, ensuring issues are resolved promptly and effectively.
Strategic Planning & Execution:
- Collaborate with leadership to translate agency strategic priorities into actionable procurement and operational plans.
- Lead and/or support cross-functional execution of initiatives, projects, and operational improvements that advance agency goals.
- Lead cross-functional teams on complex sourcing initiatives and high-value procurements, forecasting demand and aligning sourcing strategies with organizational priorities.
Performance Measurement, Reporting & Analytics:
- Develop and maintain dashboards, metrics, and performance indicators to track procurement outcomes, operational efficiency, service delivery, and strategic KPIs.
- Analyze data trends and operational performance to provide actionable insights and recommendations to leadership.
- Ensure accountability by tracking action items, monitoring implementation of approved improvements, and following up as needed.
- Prepare reports on procurement and operational KPIs aligned with the office and agency’s strategic plan.
- Ensure completion of statewide reports ensuring compliance with external agencies performing audit functions.
Procurement & Purchasing:
- Direct staff in all aspects of procurement and contracting activities, including competitive and non-competitive solicitations, contract drafting, negotiations, and contract management.
- Coordinate with internal divisions to plan, forecast, and align procurement needs with operational and strategic objectives.
- Oversee purchasing unit including purchasing card programs and requisition to purchase order process ensuring compliance with state rules and regulations.
- Support staff in negotiating, interpreting, administering, and maintaining complex contracts, ensuring vendor responsibility, responsiveness, and compliance.
Process Improvement & Operational Optimization:
- Identify operational inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas of risk across procurement and agency operations.
- Recommend and implement standardized processes, workflow improvements, and best practices to enhance effectiveness, consistency, and scalability.
- Support system modernization initiatives (e.g., Workday, Jaggaer or similar platforms) through testing, training, and change management.
- Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen procurement and operational performance.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:
- Facilitate coordination and communication across directors, program managers, and teams to support integrated procurement and operational functions.
- Convene and lead regular operations-focused and procurement-focused meetings to review progress, share updates, and resolve issues.
- Ensure procurement and operational activities are aligned with established priorities, standards, and expectations.
- Provide operational coordination and oversight for agency-wide initiatives, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and cross-divisional collaboration are met.
Governance, Compliance & Risk Management:
- Ensure compliance with the Georgia Department of Administrator Services (DOAS) State Purchasing Division regulations, the Georgia Procurement Manual (GPM), internal agency policies and applicable federal law.
- Supervises and mentors staff in governance, compliance, and risk management responsibilities, providing guidance, coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure adherence to documentation standards, audit procedures, and best practices.
- Support staff in building deeper expertise in procurement governance, compliance requirements, and risk mitigation strategies through targeted training and ongoing coaching.
- Develop and implement internal controls, policies, and procedures to strengthen compliance and reduce operational or financial risk.
- Lead investigations and reviews of procurement irregularities, collaborating with legal, audit, and program staff, and oversee resolution of audit findings.
- Identify risks or barriers to operational efficiency, workforce effectiveness, and service delivery, and recommend mitigation strategies to leadership.
- Maintain procurement files, contracts, solicitations, reports, and records in accordance with state retention schedules, ensuring documentation accuracy and audit readiness.
- Report key compliance metrics, audit outcomes, and risk assessments with actionable recommendations.
Project & Initiative Support:
- Provide operational oversight and coordination for agency and office-wide initiatives, including modernization efforts, workforce initiatives, and service delivery improvements.
- Ensure initiatives are properly coordinated, aligned, and executed across OPCS.
- Support the development of policy and operational recommendations informed by real-time operational conditions and day-to-day execution realities.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in operations management, business administration, or a related field which includes five (5) years in a managerial or supervisory role;
or Nine (9) years of related professional experience which includes five (5) years in a managerial or supervisory role; or Five (5) years of experience required at the lower level Sr Mgr, Business Ops (GSM012) or position equivalent.
Note: An equivalent combination of knowledge, education, job or intern experience, training, or certifications that provides the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully perform the job at the level listed may be substituted year-over-year.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, or a related discipline.
- 9+ years of experience leading teams responsible for multi-layered projects and company-level operations.
- Demonstrated experience managing teams in state, federal, or large public-sector environments.
3+ years of experience reviewing, designing, and implementing business or operational improvement processes.
Proven ability to lead process improvement initiatives, manage change effectively, and supervise teams through complex projects.
Experience analyzing cost, quality, and performance data to guide decision-making and vendor selection.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, OneNote or Project.
Professional Certifications (Preferred):
- Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO)
- NIGP Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP)
- PMP or Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt
- Strategic Management Professional (SMP)
Additional Information:
The DPH Commissioner and agency leaders encourage all employees to engage in regular wellness activities and to make lifestyle choices that promote health and well-being.
The use of physical activity breaks during the workday is authorized to support this philosophy and help employees meet their wellness goals. A maximum of 30 minutes of physical activity may be allocated per workday, typically in the form of two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break.
Employment Information
State of Georgia employees are subject to the rules of the State Personnel Board regarding salary.
DPH accepts educational credentials recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) as valid. DPH will contact educational institutions to verify degrees, diplomas, licensures, and other relevant credentials.
The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check.
Relocation assistance is not provided.
In the event of an identified emergency, you may be required, as a term and condition of DPH employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.
ADA Statement
DPH is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process, email DPH-HR@dph.ga.gov.
DPH is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not receive an interview. DPH will contact selected applicants to proceed with the application process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.
This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.
BENEFITS
Standard Benefits for Full-Time Salaried Employees
In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package that includes a flexible schedule, training opportunities, health insurance, employee retirement plan (ERS GSEPS), deferred compensation, 13 paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, paid parental leave, dental, vision, long-term care, and life insurance.
Standard Benefits for Part-Time Employees
Part-time employees are eligible to participate in the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan and receive paid parental leave.
PLEASE DO NOT APPLY ON THIS SITE. YOU MUST APPLY AT:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/georgiadph