The Role
Leads complex, high-value RFPs and competitive solicitations from planning through contract award. Develops sourcing strategies, negotiates contracts, ensures public procurement compliance, manages supplier performance, analyzes spending and market conditions, and identifies cost-saving opportunities. Partners with district stakeholders and evaluation committees while maintaining transparency, equity, and responsible stewardship of public funds.
Summary Generated by Built In
** Applications will be received until October 14, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org. **
About this job:
Drive district wide fiscal responsibility and operational excellence by leading complex, high dollar competitive solicitations and Requests for Proposals (RFPs). Operates within the Strategic Sourcing Procurement team. Partners with district leadership to align sourcing strategies and vendor selections with organizational priorities, optimize stewardship of public resources, and ensure full compliance with applicable public procurement laws, regulations, and policies.
What DPS Offers You:
- A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
- Salary Range: $76,211 - $91,454
- In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits - English Version or Health and Wellness Benefits - Spanish Version , and PERA Retirement. For additional information visit our New Employee Resources page.
What You'll Do:
- Lead the end-to-end development and execution of complex, high dollar Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and other competitive solicitations from planning through contract award.
- Partners with district stakeholders to define business requirements, develop solicitation documents, facilitate proposal evaluations, build consensus among evaluation committees, and ensure timely, transparent procurement outcomes.
- Lead strategic negotiations for complex contracts, including pricing structures, commercial terms, service level agreements (SLAs), performance metrics, and risk allocation to maximize value, mitigate risk, and ensure responsible stewardship of public funds.
- Ensure full compliance with applicable federal, state, and local procurement laws, Denver Public Schools Board policies, and district procedures while advancing equity in procurement practices. Maintain the highest standards of integrity, transparency, confidentiality, and ethical conduct throughout the procurement process.
- Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships by establishing performance expectations and key performance indicators (KPIs), conducting regular business reviews, monitoring contract compliance, and resolving complex supplier performance issues and contract disputes.
- Analyze district spending patterns, market conditions, supplier capabilities, and industry trends to identify strategic sourcing opportunities, reduce total cost of ownership, optimize supplier portfolios, and develop long term category and sourcing strategies that align with district priorities.
- Other duties as assigned.
What You’ll Need:
- Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain, Statistics, Mathematics, or Related Field is required.
- Five (5) or more years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, finance, and/or business administration required.
- Advanced knowledge of public sector procurement principles and the ability to execute complex, end-to-end Request for Proposal (RFP) processes.
- Proven skill in managing multi-phase, high-stakes procurement projects with tight deadlines, including ability to utilize complex enterprise procurement software (e-Sourcing/ERP tools).
- Superior communication and facilitation abilities to record and deliver technical procurement data, explain complex compliance procedures, and lead cross functional evaluation committees with a high level of service and responsiveness.
- Effective time management and organizational skills.
- Effective communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Effectively handle multiple demands and competing deadlines.
- The ability to take responsibility for one’s own performance.
- Work collaboratively with others on a team.
- Aptitude for variety and changing expectations and a fast-paced environment.
- Preferred: Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Purchasing Official (CPPO), or Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM), Certified Procurement Specialist (CPS), or other certification (ISM, APICS, etc.). Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt or higher
- Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
- Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
- Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.
Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.
Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun
About UsDenver Public Schools is committed to meeting the educational needs of every student with great schools in every neighborhood. Our goal is to provide every child in Denver with rigorous, enriching educational opportunities from preschool through high school graduation. DPS is comprised of nearly 200 schools including traditional, magnet, charter and alternative pathways schools, with an enrollment of more than 90,000 students. DPS has become the fastest-growing school district in the country in terms of enrollment and the fastest-growing large school district in the state in terms of student academic growth. Learn more at dpsk12.org.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field
- Five or more years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, finance, and/or business administration
- Advanced knowledge of public sector procurement principles
- Ability to execute complex, end-to-end Request for Proposal processes
- Experience managing multi-phase, high-stakes procurement projects with tight deadlines
- Ability to use complex enterprise procurement software, including e-Sourcing and ERP tools
- Superior communication and facilitation skills, including leading cross-functional evaluation committees
- Effective time management and organizational skills
- Strong communication skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple demands and competing deadlines
- Ability to take responsibility for individual performance
- Ability to work collaboratively on a team
- Ability to adapt to variety, changing expectations, and a fast-paced environment
- Permanent home address in Colorado while employed
- Ability to meet the physical demands of the position with or without accommodations
- Certified Professional Public Buyer, Certified Public Purchasing Official, Certified Purchasing Manager, Certified Procurement Specialist, ISM, APICS, or other procurement certification
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt or higher
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The Company
What We Do
The mission of Denver Public Schools is to provide all students the opportunity to achieve the knowledge and skills necessary to become contributing citizens in our diverse society. In DPS, we’re focused on building a system that’s designed to help every student thrive. We’re re-focusing our efforts where they matter most: on creating classrooms that are vibrant centers of learning, where caring teachers are engaging their students in rigorous, culturally responsive experiences in order to lift all students toward a bright horizon. In the last ten years, DPS has experienced unprecedented growth and an expansion of programs. Building on the strong progress we’ve made, we want to continue transforming DPS into a school district grounded in equity. This districtwide focus on equity will be embedded in everything we do, so that we can help break historical patterns and become a school district that is designed to inspire every student to dream big and make their own future. View all of our current career openings here: https://careers.dpsk12.org/
