Purchasing Manager

Position Title: Purchasing Manager
Department: Procurement / Purchasing
Location:    Longview, WA (On-site)
Reports to: Director of Compliance 
Classification: Salary, fulltime
Salary Range: $108,680.00 - $130,312.00 per year DOE

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered a preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position summary

Oversees the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s (CIT) Purchasing department and manages procurement activities to ensure the timely, cost-effective acquisition of goods and services. Develops purchasing strategies, policies, and procedures; coordinates supplier contract negotiations and required approvals; and maintains vendor relationships that support quality, value, and reliable service. Monitors market trends, evaluates supplier performance, and ensures compliance with applicable Tribal laws, funding requirements, and federal, state, and local regulations. Maintains professionalism in all interactions and honors and represents CIT’s mission, vision, and values.

The Purchasing Manager serves as the central procurement. The role partners with all Tribal Departments and Administration leadership to connect purchasing, contracts, inventory, and financial systems while protecting Tribal sovereignty.

 This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Oversees the Purchasing department within the Cowlitz Indian Tribe (CIT).
• Administers the procurement process to ensure the timely and cost-effective acquisition of goods and services needed to support CIT.
• Develops and implements purchasing strategies, negotiates contracts with suppliers, develops policies and procedures, and maintains strong vendor relationships to secure favorable terms and high-quality products.
• Works with the Legal department and Administration department on reviewing contract packets for required documents.
• Monitors market trends and evaluates supplier performance.
• Analyzes inventory needs, optimizes supply chain efficiency, and collaborates with internal teams to align procurement activities with organizational goals and budgets.
• Manages the purchasing department staff.
• Improves staff effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining team members; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; integrating functional objectives; and providing and participating in educational opportunities.
• Hosts regular staff meetings and trainings to ensure communication among team and about purchasing matters.
• Develops or utilizes existing software to track all purchases and expenditures.
• Performs assignments related to purchasing assigned by Tribal Administration.
• Assists in preparing monthly reports for CIT leadership, Tribal Council, and other stakeholders.
• Achieves financial objectives by assisting in preparing annual budgets and budget modifications, and by exercising control and implementation over the departmental budgetary processes.
• Processes receipts and expenditures for all departments.
• Maintains compliance with applicable local/state/federal/tribal laws, regulations, policies, and best practices.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in seminars, educational workshops, classes, and conferences.
• Maintains strict confidentiality.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of traditional forms of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of purchasing department organization, functions, objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, and requirements related to purchasing, procurement, and accounting.
• Knowledge, understanding, and/or willingness to learn about Cowlitz culture and customs.
• Knowledge of the CIT tribal constitution, tribal codes, tribal resolutions, and council directives.
• Skill in operating various word-processing, spreadsheet, and database software programs in a Windows environment.
• Strong skill in written and verbal communication.
• Skill in preparing, reviewing, and analyzing operational and financial reports.
• Skill in supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff.
• Skill in purchasing and procurement processes for a tribal or other government.
• Skill in working with and evaluating vendors and supplies.
• Skill in contract management.
• Skill in making effective decisions in emergency situations.
• Ability to lead teams, manage workloads, and supervise multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to analyze program needs, forecast funding requirements, and resolve compliance or budget issues.
• Ability to manage budgets and maintain financial records.
• Ability to maintain and handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, supply chain management, finance, or a related field; an equivalent combination of relevant education and progressively responsible experience may be considered.
• Seven years of progressively responsible procurement or purchasing experience, including at least three years supervising staff or managing a procurement function.
• Three years of supervisory experience 
• Demonstrated experience leading competitive solicitations, quote and proposal evaluations, vendor negotiations, contract administration, and inventory or property controls in a regulated or public accountability environment.
• Experience developing procedures, approval workflows, internal controls, management reports, and training; ability to interpret procurement codes, policies, grant conditions, and applicable federal procurement requirements.
• Strong written communication, analytical judgment, negotiation, project management, and staff coaching skills. Ability to manage competing deadlines, maintain confidentiality, document decisions, and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Experience working in tribal organizations.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may also be acceptable.
• May be asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
• A valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening/investigation according to the established requirements below.

Working conditions and essential capabilities

Office-based work with visits to Tribal offices, storage areas, and project locations as needed. Occasional schedule adjustments may be required for deadlines, inventories, or authorized emergencies. Essential duties must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation; Employee Services will finalize travel and physical requirements.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements

• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.