§ 2-531. Purchasing services manager.

(a)

Establishment of the position of purchasing services manager. Except as otherwise provided in this article, the authority relating to the procurement of supplies, services, and construction is hereby vested in the purchasing services manager of this county, who shall report to the director of business services.

(b)

Appointment. In consultation with the county administrator, the deputy county administrator/CFO shall appoint the purchasing services manager, as recommended by the director of business services. The purchasing services manager shall have a minimum of three years' experience, at least two years of which shall have been in procurement within ten years preceding the date of appointment. These requirements diminish in accordance with education. The purchasing services manager shall employ such staff as may be necessary to perform the functions of the purchasing services division.

(c)

Tenure. The purchasing services manager shall be a full-time public employee of the county, and subject to the Dorchester County Human Resources policies.

(d)

Authority. The purchasing services manager shall serve as the principal public procurement official of the county, and shall be responsible for the procurement of supplies, services, and construction in accordance with this article, as well as the management and disposal of supplies.

(e)

Duties. The purchasing services manager shall organize and execute all purchasing activities for the county, acting under the direction of the director of business services, the deputy county administrator/CFO, and the county administrator. He shall coordinate with department officials in establishing specifications for use in the procurement of all materials, supplies, equipment, construction, or services, including directing the bidding process of appropriate purchases, supervising the evaluation of bids, and participating in contract negotiations. He shall award contracts and purchases within the confines of the this article and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines. The purchasing services manager shall be responsible for developing a competent staff and establishing and maintaining an effective professional working relationship between all purchasing personnel and suppliers, department heads, contractors, and other governmental units and the public. Working with the director of fleet maintenance and other using departments, he shall also manage the disposal of surplus supplies.

(f)

Delegation of authority by the purchasing services manager. The purchasing services manager may delegate authority to designees of the purchasing services division.

( Ord. No. 18-18, 10-1-2018 )