Chief Procurement Officer at Ventura County, CA

About the Department

The Position

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic and experienced procurement professional with extensive knowledge of public sector procurement practices. This role provides strategic leadership over the County’s centralized procurement operations, supporting all agencies, departments, and special districts to ensure goods and services are acquired in a manner that maximizes value and aligns with organizational goals.

Reporting to senior administration, the successful candidate will oversee procurement planning, coordination, and execution. They will guide policy development, streamline processes, ensure compliance with regulations, manage a team, develop sourcing strategies, and foster relationships with internal stakeholders and external vendors.

A proven ability to supervise staff in a collective bargaining environment is essential, along with strong communication and relationship management skills. The incumbent must be able to engage and collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including representatives of various levels of government, community members, and the general public.

Minimum Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the recruitment process and assure neither continuance in the process nor invitation to an interview. 

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE 
Any combination of education and experience, which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The required knowledge and experience can typically be obtained by a bachelor's degree in business administration, economics, finance, or a related field and four (4) years of progressive experience administering/managing public or private procurement functions.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Demonstrated experience in or knowledge of supervising and managing staff within a collective bargaining environment.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills across all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders.

DESIRED:

• Certified as a Public Procurement Officer, i.e., CPPO or CPP.
• Extensive experience in public sector procurement.
• Master's degree in business administration, economics, finance, or closely related field.

Other Qualifications

To apply for this exceptional and unique career opportunity, please send a resume and cover letter, which illustrate all of the following:

• Your direct experience in procurement operations, including the scope of your responsibilities and
  specific achievements;
• Your experience in and/or knowledge of supervising and managing staff within a collective
  bargaining environment;
• Your strong communication and relationship-building skills across all levels of the organization
  and with external stakeholders.

Note: Application materials that do not clearly demonstrate the required experience may not be considered in the selection process.

Submit an online application at www.ventura.org/jobs and attach your resume and cover letter.

OR

Email your resume with cover letter to [email protected].

RESUME EVALUATION

First review date is October 17, 2025. The resume should reflect years and months of employment, including beginning and ending dates, as well as all relevant work experience.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

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