IDEA Public Schools Careers

Role Mission: The CNP Procurement Analyst is part of the finance team within the Child Nutrition Program and is responsible for researching and following compliance guidelines for procuring goods and services for the programs we feature, while driving operational results.  This role collaborates with the other functional teams, under the supervision of the CNP Procurement Manager, to ensure our students receive the best program experience possible.  Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to: ensuring all current contracts are compliant with federal, state and local procurement guidelines, creating solicitations, publishing and tabulating results for solicitations for goods and services, holding awarded vendors accountable for terms and conditions and addressing service deficiencies, attending local, state and federal trainings as needed.

What We Offer 

Compensation: 

• Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $61,605 and $71,154, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity.
• This role is also eligible for a performance bonus based on organizational performance and goal attainment. 

Other Benefits: 

We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, covering the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan and subsidizing the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children. Some of the special benefits we offer at IDEA include: 

• Paid Family Leave: Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on their tenure with the organization and caregiver designation. 
• Tuition Reimbursement: Staff members may apply for up to​ 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year subject to manager discretion and budget availability. 
• Employer-Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face-to-face counseling sessions within a year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services available at no cost.   

Other benefits include dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, generous vacation time, referral bonuses and professional development. IDEA may offer a relocation allowance to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable. 

Accountabilities

Complete 100% of assigned procurement audits by June 30th and assist with corrective action plan execution. 

• Collaborates with leadership to improve on internal audit processes and preparation  

• Conducts on site procurement audit as assigned, to ensure that campuses and vendors are complying with set contract terms.
• Review local, state, and federal compliance regularly with a focus on implementing processes & procedures that will ensure all compliance  
• Provides technical support to Manager in to ensure administrative review readiness throughout the year  

District will complete the approved TDA spend down plan by June 30th

• Follows the departmental procurement calendar ensuring that solicitation are ready. 
• Follows established contract management process that ensures vendors adhere to established contract terms and conditions 

• Provides support to manager on purchasing trainings to headquarters and campus managers that are part of the spend down plan ensuring adherence to policy.
• Provide recurring updates Federal, State and Local policies by attending appropriate seminars and conferences.

100% of CNP Equipment will be inventoried and an asset schedule set

• Perform capital equipment asset counting through an asset management system
• Provide support in the inventory of assets at campus.
• Monitors requests for Capital Improvement projects from staff.
• Assists with the proper acquisition and disposal of capital assets.

Monitors the cost of supplies, kitchen equipment and contracted services to ensure Texas Department of Agriculture compliance

• Utilizes current vendor management system
• Identifies potential vendors that can provide products and services needed to continue growth in existing and new regions
• Perform appropriate administrative and operational research to support proposal and contract.
• May lead bid proposal review committees
• Maintains compliance with all applicable policies and regulations regarding bidding and purchasing
• Maintains all procurement documentation to ensure compliance with Federal and State regulations.  

100% of contracts are up to date prior to First Day of School (FDOS)

• Ensure that contracts and proposals are properly entered into the organizational databases and securely maintained.
• Enforce the standards of contracts, including presentation of budget, payment terms, general language and provisions.
• Assure accuracy of contract text, conditions, terms and attachment
• Serve as liaison between user and vendor during the contract term
• Maintains deadlines on deliverables and communicate on an ongoing basis with vendors and internal users about contractual issues.

We look for Team and Family who embody the following values and characteristics: 

• Believes and is committed to our mission and being an agent of change: that all students can get to and through college  
• Has demonstrated effective outcomes and results, and wants to be held accountable for them 
• Has a propensity for action, willing to make mistakes by doing in order to learn and improve quickly
• Works with urgency and purpose to drive student outcomes 
• Thrives in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment; is comfortable with ambiguity and change 
• Seeks and responds well to feedback, which is shared often and freely across all levels of the organization 
• Works through silos and forges strong cross-departmental relationships in order to achieve outcomes 
• We believe in education as a profession and hold ourselves to high level of conduct, professionalism and behaviors as models for our colleagues and students. 

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No supervisory duties.

Competencies:

• Mission Focus- focuses on IDEA’s core purpose of getting all students to college
• Record of Results – holds high expectations for self and others to achieve and surpass intended goals
• Manage Others to Deliver Results-leverages relationships to build and reinforce IDEA's culture and invests others in big goals
• Problem Solving – able to synthesize, analyze, and prioritize data and opportunities to develop strategies for achieving quantifiable goals
• Coaching & Developing – develops team through formal and informal methods; makes professional development a top priority
• Communication – effectively conveys information using a variety of channels and techniques
• Continuous Improvement – proactively identifies opportunities to improve and consistently reflects on past actions to guide future decisions

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor Degree in public accounting, public finance, business administration and public administation.
• Experience: 1+ years of direct experience in procurement/purchasing roles which can be but not limited to: Buyer, sourcing manager, materials manager, procurement analyst or supply chain manager.
• Licenses or Certifications Preferred:  Purchasing certification recognized by the State of Texas Comptroller.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of compliance for USDA food service programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Community Eligibility Provision
• Knowledge of state audit processes (internal, external, single audits and state audit reviews)
• Business awareness with knowledge of methods, materials, equipment, and processes used in the food industry & management 
• High degree in attention to detail that includes understanding terms and conditions of all forms of contracts
• Strong mathematical and accounting skills with ability of converting raw data into meaningful analysis and recommendations
• Strong computer literacy in the Microsoft Office suite: Proficient Excel software experience required
• Works well under pressure in an effort to meet deadlines with a high degree of accuracy
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Demonstrate flexibility, adaptability and is self-motivated
• Strong organizational, communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrate high level of emotional awareness   
• Able to work irregular hours during peak times and available for 15% travel throughout IDEA network

About IDEA Public Schools   

At IDEA Public Schools, we believe each and every child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to a multi-state network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools.     

IDEA Public Schools boasts national rankings on The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report’s top high schools lists. IDEA serves over 80,000 college-bound students in 143 schools across Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Ohio, and is on-track to maintain its legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college.      

When you choose to work at IDEA, you are part of our IDEA Team and Family. You will work alongside team members who set and reach ambitious goals every day, are excited to continue to grow with IDEA, and work relentlessly to make college for all a reality. 

At IDEA the Staff Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members.  Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values

To Apply  

Please submit your application online through Jobvite. It’s in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.