Vendor Liaison - Procurement Specialist 5

Salary : $79,601.60 - $122,428.80 AnnuallyLocation : Des Moines - 50319 - Polk County, IAJob Type: Full-timeJob Number: 26-00396Agency: 005 Department of Administrative ServicesOpening Date: 08/15/2025Closing Date: 9/4/2025 11:59 PM CentralLinkedIn Tag: #LI-POSTPoint of Contact: Karl Wendt (karl.wendt@) Job Description The Department of Administrative Services (DAS) - Procurement is seeking a motivated and collaborative Vendor Liaison (Procurement Specialist 5). The ideal candidate will have strong experience in vendor management and a solid understanding of procurement processes. This role includes the responsibilities listed below, as well as other assigned duties: This role holds primary responsibility for developing and maintaining vendor relationships. Key responsibilities encompass fostering effective communication and collaborative partnerships with both incumbent and prospective vendors, ensuring their comprehensive onboarding and understanding of payment protocols and contractual agreements, and providing educational resources regarding engagement with State procurement. The position involves measuring vendor performance against established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and strategically addressing any performance deficiencies to ensure optimal customer satisfaction. Additionally, it will be involved in the analysis of spend data to identify potential contracting opportunities and to inform the development of overarching vendor strategies. A critical dimension of this role is to connect potential vendors with the right agencies. This includes ensuring cost-effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and streamlined access to essential resources. The applicant is expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards and to actively champion transparency, equity, and inclusive practices, particularly in support of small and diverse businesses. Finally, the role involves providing comprehensive support throughout the entire procurement lifecycle, from initial needs assessment and solicitation development through negotiation, contract award, and post-award administration. This requires close collaboration with agency stakeholders to align procurement strategies with statewide priorities and to ensure strict adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, and Central Procurement policies. This highly visible function directly contributes to the overall effectiveness, accountability, and transparency of public purchasing by leveraging market intelligence, data-driven insights, and expert negotiation skills to secure advantageous terms for the State.Benefits:At the State of Iowa, we are committed to your well-being. As a valued team member, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:Paid Time Off: Enjoy vacation with accruals that rollover on a yearly basis, sick leave with no limits on accrual and 9 paid holidays per year.Great Benefits: Excellent Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Options.Retirement Plan: IPERS Retirement package and an option for a deferred compensation plan.Flexibility: Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care).Life Insurance: Free Life Insurance.Support: Employee Assistance Programs and Employee Discount Programs.To learn more about the benefits of working with the State of Iowa, visit our Why You'll Love Working With Us At DAS, you'll work alongside a dedicated team that values innovation, professionalism, and collaboration. This role offers the chance to shape procurement practices that benefit agencies statewide and help ensure public funds are spent wisely and responsibly.Minimum Qualification Requirements Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification: 1) Nine years of full-time work experience in the procurement of technical, standardized, expendable, and non-expendable items, or in services procurement and contract administration, including the review of ongoing compliance with contract requirements and terms. 2) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in business or public administration, accounting, or economics, and experience equal to five years of full-time work in the procurement of technical, standardized, expendable and non-expendable items, or in services procurement and contract administration, including the review of ongoing compliance with contract requirements and terms. 3) A total of nine years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience. 4) All of the following (a, b, and c): a. Three years of full-time work experience in the procurement of technical, standardized, expendable, and non-expendable items, or in services procurement and contract administration, including the review of ongoing compliance with contract requirements and terms; and b. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in business or public administration, accounting, or economics equals one year of full-time experience; and c. A total of two years of graduate-level education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university coursework in business or public administration, accounting, or economics equals one year of full-time experience. 5) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Procurement Specialist 4.For additional information click on this 01 Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely. Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question. Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa. Yes - I understand and agree. No 02 PLEASE READ CAREFULLY Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq? No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq 03 How many years do you have of full-time work in the procurement of technical, standardized, expendable/non-expendable items or in services procurement and contract administration, including the review of ongoing compliance with contract requirements and terms. I do not have any of the identified experience Less than nine years of the identified experience Nine years or more of the identified experience 04 Have you graduated from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in business or public administration, accounting, or economics, AND full-time experience equal to five years in the procurement of technical, standardized, expendable/non-expendable items?, or in services procurement and contract administration, including the review of ongoing compliance with contract requrements and terms? 30 semester hours equals one year of experience. No, I do not have any of the combined education and experience Yes, I have the combined education and experience 05 How many years do you have of combined post high school education in business, public administration, accounting, or economics AND/OR full-time work experience in the procurement of technical, standardized, expendable, and non-expendable items, or in services procurement and contract administration, including the review of ongoing compliance with contract requirements and terms? (30 semester hours equals one year of experience) No experience in the identified areas Less than two years of combined post high school education and/or experience in the identified areas Two years to less than four years of combined post high school education and/or experience in the identified areas Four years to less than six years of combined post high school education and/or experience in the identified areas Six years to less than seven years of combined post high school education and/or experience in the identified areas Nine years or more of combined post high school education and/or experience in the identified areas 06 Do you meet A, B and C:A Three years of full-time work experience in the procurement of technical, standardized, expendable, and non-expendable items, or in services procurement and contract administration, including the review of ongoing compliance with contract requirements and terms; andB. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in business or public administration, accounting, or economics equals one year of full-time experience; andC. A total of two years of graduate-level education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university coursework in business or public administration, accounting, or economics equals one year of full-time experience. Yes- I meet A, B and C I do not meet A, B and C 07 Are you a current, permanent State of Iowa employee? IF YES - Do you have current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Procurement Specialist 4? I am a current, permanent State of Iowa employee AND have current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Procurement Specialist 4 I am not a current, permanent State of Iowa employee I am a current, permanent State of Iowa employee BUT DO NOT have current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Procurement Specialist 3 Required Question