Compensation: $85,000 to $132,812.50 annual plus excellent benefits
Position status: Full-time, Exempt

*** This position is on-site at our DTLA HQ office and traveling will be required as needed***

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

PACE is local community nonprofit organization founded in 1976 to provide job training and placement services for the Asian Pacific Islander communities in Los Angeles. PACE has since expanded into a variety of service areas, all tailored to meet the growing and changing needs of the multi-ethnic communities in Los Angeles County. Now, in addition to job training and employment services, significant PACE programs encompass: Business Development; Early Childhood Education (Head Start); Financial Education and Asset Building; Housing and Rehabilitation Services; Weatherization and Energy-conservation programs; and Affordable Housing Development. PACE serves more than 40,000 people each year with our wide scope of services with approximately 350+ staff. PACE is recognized as a leader in addressing problems of poverty and economic inequity in ethnic minority communities and has a reputation of being responsive to community needs and is known for creating innovative solutions to the myriad of challenges faced by our clients. https://pacela.org/

PROGRAM SUMMARY

PACE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (PACE BDC) promotes the growth and economic expansion of diverse Los Angeles communities through the infusion of capital and the provision of business consultation services and financial literacy training. Housed in the PACE Business Development Center (BDC), the Procurement Team assists small businesses with securing contracts from government agencies and private sector companies. PACE is the only Southern California Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), a designation from the U.S. Department of Commerce that promotes the growth and global competitiveness of small and minority businesses. PACE is also partnering with Mayor Karen Bass in administering the City’s Contract Ready LA program, a procurement initiative connecting small and minority businesses to contract opportunities with an emphasis on preparing for the 2028 LA Olympics. http://pacelabdc.org/

POSITION SUMMARY

PACE is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Procurement Manager with experience in government and/or private sector procurement to join the team. This position will essentially act as a coach to small businesses that need assistance with winning contracts. The Procurement Manager will assist small businesses in: identifying contract opportunities, building capacity for small businesses to be competitive for contracts, assisting the small businesses with applying to and negotiating contracts, and recruiting small businesses that would need our services. This position requires research skills and knowledge of how to build professional relationships with government agencies and private sector companies such as prime contractors. A working knowledge of best business practices specifically for performing on contracts is desired, as well as strong customer relations and counseling skills. This position will report to the Procurement Lead.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

• Oversee day-to-day procurement program activities and exceed procurement program performance outcomes & requirements including day-to-day supervision
• Provide staff training in procurement to build the department capacity
• Provide regular reporting to senior management on metrics and KPIs
• Lead outreach effort to businesses throughout Southern California about government contracting opportunities with private sector companies and with government agencies (federal, state and local). Recruitment of small, women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned businesses is a critical part of the work plan.
• Help businesses navigate through the process of finding, bidding, and performing on private and government contracts and sub-contracts.
• Guide businesses through the process of assessing their capacity/suitability for private sector and government contracting
• Assist businesses with government registrations (i.e. www.sam.gov and rampla.org) and certifications (SBA’s HUBZone, 8(a), SDVOSB, etc.) related to selling to the government, finding opportunities, marketing to government buyers, bidding, getting paid, proposal development, interpretation of regulations, and more. Assistance is primary provided through workshops and one-on-one counseling
• Coordinate workshops and events that increase knowledge of private sector and government contracting
• Attend outreach events to ensure awareness of procurement technical assistance services
• Review and disseminate bid opportunities and subcontracting opportunities to clients
• Develop and maintain relationships with federal, state and local government agencies, and prime contractors
• Develop and maintain relationships with other business resource providers throughout the region
• Meet or exceed program goals for number of counseling sessions, events, etc. Keep reporting database up to date.
• Complete training courses that are relevant to the needs of clients and attend Association of PTAC training events
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCES AND SKILLS:

• Minimum Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Contract Management or related field or equivalent work experience
• At least five years of progressive work experience in procurement / purchasing / sourcing with a strong knowledge of business and government contracting principles
• High personal integrity and ethics
• Excellent organizational and management skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Salesforce experience
• Strong computer skills to research government market and navigate registrations and online government systems
• Ability to multi-task, ability to manage multiple tasks and projects
• Ability to listen critically to identify needs and solve problems
• Demonstrated ability to share skills and knowledge with others
• Strong, professional written communication skills
• Strong verbal communication skills, including public speaking
• Work well within a team environment
• Travelling will be required

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Experience providing procurement assistance to small businesses
• Experience working for a business that bids on government contracts
• Experience in purchasing, identifying vendors, and contract negotiations
• Experience as a contracting officer for a government agency
• Experience in the following industry sectors: live sports and entertainment, accommodation& food services, infrastructure, construction, manufacturing, waste management & remediation and professional services

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must pass employment and professional verification/reference check
• Must have the use of an automobile with adequate insurance coverage and a valid Driver’s License, or have reliable transportation
• COVID vaccination required; must have two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or a single-dose of Johnson & Johnson. Those that need a medical or religious exemption must reach out separately

APPLICATION PROCESS:

• Please upload resume and complete online application
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions have been filled.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.