PURCHASING MANAGER

Summary:
The City of Lawrence is seeking an experienced, strategic, and service-oriented Purchasing Manager to lead the City’s purchasing operations. This position is a key leadership role within the Finance Department, responsible for overseeing all aspects of sourcing, formal bidding, contracting, vendor management, and purchasing policy development. The Purchasing Manager ensures that City procurement activities are efficient, transparent, equitable, and aligned with organizational goals and community values.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the City’s purchasing strategy, strengthen relationships across departments and with suppliers, and develop processes that promote cost savings, regulatory compliance, and high-quality service delivery.

Responsibilities:
Lead and manage the City’s purchasing and contracting processes, including planning, negotiating, and administering professional service, contractor, and construction agreements through formal solicitation methods.

Ensure all purchasing activities are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, funding requirements, and best practices by developing solicitations and overseeing fair, transparent, and competitive procurement processes.

Draft, review, and administer contracts, renewals, and amendments for goods and services, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with legal and operational requirements.

Serve as a subject-matter expert to City departments, providing guidance on purchasing procedures, bid evaluations, and procurement strategies to support effective and compliant decision-making.

Lead and develop purchasing staff, oversee purchasing systems, and drive process improvements that enhance efficiency, strengthen operations, and modernize the City’s purchasing function.

Qualifications: 

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in business administration, public administration, management, accounting, finance, supply chain, or a related field.

Five (5) years of government procurement experience.

Three (3) years of supervisory experience.

Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license. 

Professional Buyer certification by the National Institute of Government Purchasing Agents is preferred.

Professional certification from a recognized Purchasing Association (Certified Purchasing Manager or Certified Professional in Supply Management) preferred, or the ability to attain within two (2) years of employment.

Supply Chain certification by the NIGP The Institute of Governmental Purchasing, ASCM Association for Supply Chain Management preferred, or the ability to attain within two (2) years of employment.

Applicants must submit the following to be considered:

• Resume
• Cover Letter demonstrating interest in public procurement and alignment with the role
• Three (3) Professional References

The successful candidate must pass a background check, post-offer physical, and drug screening.

Benefits:
Health/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance: Various dependent coverage levels available; FREE Well Care Clinic through LMH; other wellness benefits/perks
Paid Time Off: 12 Vacation days, 12 Sick days accrued per year; 2 days Personal Leave, 10 Paid Holidays
Retirement: Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS)