Senior Purchasing Agent (ECECD #10113423)

Posting Details

VISION: All New Mexico families and young children are thriving.

MISSION: Optimize the health, development, education, and well-being of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers through a family-driven, equitable, community-based system of high-quality prenatal and early childhood programs and services.

The Early Childhood Education and Care Department was established on July 1, 2020. The Department's aim is to create a more cohesive, equitable, and effective early childhood system in New Mexico. That means coordinating a continuum of programs from prenatal to five and ensuring that families in every corner of the state can access the services they need.

Interviews will be conducted within two weeks of closing date.
Why does the job exist?

This position is designed to manage a high volume of daily procurement activities across the entire agency. It involves auditing and processing internal purchase requests in strict alignment with the New Mexico State Procurement Code, the Department of Finance and Administration's Manual of Accounting Practices (MAPS), guidelines from the General Services Department, the New Mexico State accounting system (SHARE), and the agency's established policies and procedures.
How does it get done?

This position is primarily responsible for a wide range of procurement and financial processing tasks essential to the Department's operations. Daily duties include auditing and processing Internal Purchase Request forms and converting them into Purchase Orders, ensuring compliance with the Department of Finance and Administration's Manual of Accounting Practices (MAPS), the New Mexico State Procurement Code, and all relevant federal, state, and departmental regulations. The role also involves managing Statewide Price Agreements, Invitations for Bids, Sole Source and Emergency Procurements, and supporting Requests for Proposals by preparing and submitting packets to the New Mexico State Purchasing Department in collaboration with the Agency's Chief Procurement Officer. Additionally, the position oversees the processing of various contract types, including Professional Service Contracts, Intergovernmental Agreements, General Service Agreements, and Grants. It administers purchases made through the Department's Purchasing Card (P-Card), ensuring all transactions align with procurement codes and MAPS guidelines. The role includes processing Purchase Order Change Orders in accordance with budget availability and regulatory requirements, and assisting with Month-End and Year-End closeouts of purchase orders. At the start of each fiscal year, the position is responsible for setting up purchase orders for essential services such as utilities, telecommunications, building and equipment leases, subscriptions, membership dues, and IT/hardware/software agreements, with overtime potentially required during this busy period. The role also entails preparing and submitting vendor forms to update information in SHARE Financials, drafting written communications for the Department of Finance and Administration, and conducting training sessions. Providing exceptional customer service to both internal and external Department users regarding procurement status and DFA requirements is a critical aspect of this position.
Who are the customers?

ECECD staff, Leadership, and external customers
Ideal Candidate

ECECD staff, Leadership, and external customers
Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's degree in Business or Accounting and Finance and one (1) year of experience in accounting, finance, purchasing, procurement, and/or warehouse clerking. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling five (5) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.
Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending, and reaching may be required. Direct client interaction and some travel may be required.
Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Carmel Pacheco Aragon (505) 901-8226. Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.