he Division Director of Finance-Purchasing and Contracting will be a senior member of the Finance department and will report directly to the county Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This division director will lead the purchasing and contracting team and the critical initiatives for this team including process coordination, contract management, contract administration and support services.
This position will direct and manage one of the key divisions of the Finance Department. The three Division Directors will oversee Purchasing and Contracting; Accounting and Payroll; and Debt, Investment and Treasury. This strategic leader will look for opportunities to innovate and improve financial processes county-wide; center equity in all of the work done in Finance; leverage systems to ensure financial work is done efficiently throughout the County; and be part of a dynamic leadership team. Responsible for the overall hiring, training, mentoring and coordination of work within the assigned division. Establish financial related policies and procedures for all Ramsey County service teams. Develop and deliver training to internal and external audiences and administratively support the division. Exemplify and demonstrate the underlying values of equity, inclusion, transparency, and efficiency. Lead county wide efforts in establishing and directing strategic plans with a consideration for racial equity in all work and in alignment with Ramsey County values, goals and strategic priorities.
Purchasing and Contracting
Division Director Purchasing and Contracting is a senior member of the Finance department leadership team and will report directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This position is responsible for managing and elevating all collaborative procurement initiatives throughout the county and greater Minnesota. This position will ensure alignment with all federal and state statutes and represent the procurement division to the rest of the county. This position will be responsible for maintaining a countywide procurement portfolio that aligns with Ramsey County goals and priorities and perform related duties as assigned.
Flexible Workplace
This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy (Download PDF reader).
If an internal candidate is selected, salary will be set in accordance with the personnel rules (i.e., promotion, transfer, or voluntary reduction).
To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.
Responsibilities
Examples of Work Performed
Division Director Finance-Purchasing and Contracting
- Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
- Direct division activities to assign and review work, answer questions, and serve as a backup when necessary to meet deadlines. Perform duties including hiring, performance development, staff evaluation, discipline, and succession planning so that qualified employees are efficiently performing well-defined tasks.
- Manages, directs, and supervises Procurement managers, supervisors and staff in the creation, provision, and administration of contracted services to Service Teams across the County.
- Ensures operational practices align with Ramsey County values, goals, and strategic priorities.
- Builds meaningful and positive relationships with key business personnel.
- Collaborates with Ramsey County personnel in strengthening relationships with Community stakeholders and stakeholder groups.
- Partners with the County Attorney’s Office, the Compliance and Ethics Office, and Enterprise Risk Manager as appropriate to streamline approval processes, ensure alignment with federal and state statutes, and provide assurance that Procurement strategies serve the best interests of the County and our community members.
- Represents the Procurement division to executive-level personnel within the County.
- Participates in and elevates the work of collaborative procurement initiatives within Minnesota or national forums through personnel or staff leadership.
- Benchmarks against similar entities to continually evolve Procurement practices.
- Develops and manages the budget for the Procurement division.
- Collaboratively defines, develops, and continually improves and adapts the standards, processes, procedures, tools, techniques, and associated artifacts for the Procurement practice based upon generally accepted or “best practice” frameworks. This includes a focus on innovation and equity.
- Creates feedback loops for internal staff, business owners/representatives, vendors, and community members to ensure open communication channels and to inform continual improvement efforts.
- Mentors and coaches the Procurement staff in the planning and execution of procurement-related activities and the production of related plans and artifacts; ensures alignment with County strategies.
- Review all staffing needs based on workload and anticipated procurement volumes.
- Acts as a point of escalation for the Procurement division.
- Performs quality assurance, ensuring Procurement activities align with policies, processes, and procedures.
- Develops metrics and key performance indicators; develops relevant reports for key stakeholder groups.
- Maintains a countywide procurement portfolio, ensuring alignment to County goals and priorities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: All essential functions listed above as well as the assigned area.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Policy, Business Administration or related field.
Experience: Five years of progressive administration and management experience in public sector finance, procurement, accounting or auditing, with at least three years in a supervisory capacity.
Substitution: None.
Certifications/Licensure: None.
Preferred: Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.), Certified Government Finance Officer or master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Policy or Business Administration.
Exam/Screening Process Information
The examination process for the Division Director Finance-Purchasing and Contracting will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated:
Training and Experience Rating = 100%
The examination for Division Director Finance will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions – do not mark “see resume” or “see work history” as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely. Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.
Eligible List: The names of all applicants who filed a properly completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a Division Director Finance-Purchasing and Contracting. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for 30 days (1 month) or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted, informing them that the list has been posted and their rank on the list.
Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.
Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.
E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin. Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of our workforce.
To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application (Download PDF reader). You will need to print this posting and answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.
For further information regarding this posting, please contact:
Megan.Simmons@co.ramsey.mn.us
Ramsey County
Saint Paul, MN 55101
US
