Overview
The Chief Purchasing and Contracting Officer leads and manages the activities of the Office of Purchasing and Contracting within the KFOR Theater, providing acquisition expertise to support strategic priorities.
Key Responsibilities
- Responsible for leading and managing the activities of the Office of Purchasing and Contracting in the KFOR Theater.
- Serves as the Contracting Officer within his/her contract warrant to enter into, administer, terminate contracts, and make determinations on method of procurement, milestones, acquisition plan and type of contract on behalf of the organization and in line with the Established Financial Limits.
- Ensures proper implementation of policies and procedures in accordance with the Bi-Strategic Command Procurement Directive 60-70 as well as with the internal J8 Standard Operating Procedures and Directives.
- Enforces contract terms, conditions, and provisions; prepares or takes action on requests for consideration; recommends and prepares contracts for terminations of default or convenience; prepares correspondence; and replies to the customer.
- Negotiates contract terms, pricing and payment schedule, ensuring that the agreements with vendors/suppliers are advantageous for NATO.
- Leads all pre-award contractual matters in the competitive bidding process including preparation of Notification of Intent to Invite Bids, establishment and maintenance of Bidder’s List, evaluation of contractual content of bids, conduct pre-award discussions and award of contracts in accordance with NATO procurement guidance and procedures while working in close coordination with the Higher Headquarters.
- Ensures that discrepancies identified in various internal and external audit reports are promptly corrected and recommendations are implemented in due course.
- Researches suppliers and markets by conducting market surveys, and maintains a broad understanding of the commercial environment to inform and develop commercial strategies and sourcing plans.
- Maintains purchase request logs, purchase orders, contract ledgers, and correspondence files.
- Performs risk management activities associated with contract execution; conducts regular and documented risk discussions to proactively identify and address risks, and systematically records and tracks identified risks via risk registers.
- Accountable for petty cash funds.
- Provides operational direction, guidance and support to the subordinate Purchasing and Contracting staff members as well as mentoring and coaching them in developing target skills and capabilities in line with team and personal goals.
- Provides contracting support to multinational headquarters, TCNs, national support elements, and Moral and Welfare Activities organization in the Theater of Operation.
- Develops procurement plans by reviewing previous history, market conditions, and specifications or technical data.
- Works with the customers on their contractual rights and obligations as well as on best contracting strategies and methods and provides technical responses.
- Responsible for all NATO/KFOR customs import documentation.
- Responsible for the integrity of the procurement process and all documentation generated during/after contract award committee meetings held.
- Develops and conducts procurement training for the KFOR HQ staff involved in procurement activities.
- Uses and documents key performance indicators to monitor and challenge contractor performance, cost controls, quality control, property administration, adherence to contract delivery schedules and to identify opportunities for continual improvement, ensuring that the Contractor is performing in accordance with the terms of the contract.
- Develops strategies to address under-performance and compliance failures to include application of contract terms.
- Increases the accuracy and efficiency of procurement activities through process improvement.
- Actively supports and engages with experts and stakeholders to ensure continual improvements are identified through review and benchmarking processes.
- Facilities and promotes harmonious and effective working relationships between Purchasing and Contracting staff members as well as other staff members of the J8 team.
- Keeps KFOR FINCON abreast of all contractual activity through routine reports, or ad hoc reports, as requested.
- Deputizes for KFOR J8 Head/FINCON when the KFOR J8 Head/FINCON, KFOR Budget Officer, and Finance and Accounting Officers are absent, or as specifically directed by the KFOR J8 Head/FINCON.
Required Experience
- Minimum 5 years' practical experience in contracting
- Minimum 5 years’ demonstrable experience in supervising the work of other staff members involved in procurement activities
- Ability to coordinate administrative activities
- Ability to provide analytical, timely and accurate assessments
- Ability to calculate and understand pricing and cost estimates
- Minimum 5 years’ contracting background with specific emphasis on contingency and operational contracting processes and procedures
- Minimum 5 years’ experience working on international procurements
- Minimum 5 years’ experience as a contracting officer or contract administrator in NATO organization
Qualifications
- University degree or equivalent background in management or business administration
- The candidate is required to have a Contracting certification
