EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT
LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND
POWER
SUPPLY CHAIN SERVICES
Assistant Director of Purchasing
(Emergency Appointment)
Executive Search Consultants
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LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND POWER
OVERVIEW
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is the largest
municipal utility in the United States, serving over four million residents. It was founded
in 1902 to supply water to residents and businesses in Los Angeles and surrounding
communities. In 1917, it started to deliver electricity. The LADWP is a proprietary
department of the City of Los Angeles, employs more than 9,000 workers and has an
annual budget in excess of $800 million. As a revenue-producing department, the
LADWP transfers a portion of its annual estimated electric revenues to the City of Los
Angeles general fund. LADWP's operations are financed solely by the sale of water and
electric services. Capital funds are raised through the sale of bonds. No tax support is
received.
LADWP is governed by a five member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor
of Los Angeles and confirmed by the City Council for five year terms. The General
Manager, Ron Nichols is the chief executive for the utility. LADWP provides its 666,000
water customers and 1.4 million electric customers with quality service at competitive
prices.
SUPPLY CHAIN SERVICES
Under the leadership of Gwendolyn Williams, Director, Supply Chain Services, the utility
is implementing a variety of initiatives aimed at enhancing the purchasing and
contracting processes using industry standards and professional “best practices” in
developing a best in class purchasing organization that excels in providing great
customer service.
LADWP Supply Chain Services is purchases $2.4 billion goods and services for the
utility. The department has an operating budget of $55 million and 308 employees.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PURCHASING
The Assistant Director of Purchasing reports directly to the Director of Supply Chain
Services and assists the Director in the overall operation, administration, planning,
organizing, staffing and control of LADWP’s purchasing operations. The position has 3
Supply Services Managers that report to the Assistant Director. They managed the
purchasing of Water, Power and Joint. (internal customers) The position is an
emergency appointment that will only serve for one year.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Assist in managing the daily operation of LADWP’s procurement activities to ensure
that material and service requirements of the LADWP are met in a timely, efficient,
effective, and ethical manner.
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2. Provide oversight and ensures all purchases are in compliance with the City Charter
and LADWP procurement policies and procedures, as well as with compliance with all
other federal and state rules and regulations.
3. Establish policies and procedures with ad-hoc teams to implement specific purchasing
related initiatives.
4. Evaluate, make recommendations, develop, and write policies for the implementation
of standards that represent best practice purchasing methods while conforming to
governmental statutes, regulations and laws for public purchasing.
5. Manage and/or execute all purchases, within approved signature authority guidelines,
in a centralized environment, including high dollar value and/or highly complex
purchases.
6. Serve as the primary resource for customers, vendors, and staff to interpret policies
and procedures; manage and resolve difficult and complex issues involving contractual
disputes, protests, and other contractual concerns as necessary.
7. Review and develop agenda items for the LADWP Board of Commissioners.
8. Provide continuous staff development opportunities to ensure staff possesses
sufficient training and required skill levels to perform their assigned tasks in a proficient
manner and ensure that proficiency is maintained in current technologies.
9. Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with all internal and external
customers through understanding their purpose and objectives; promote and maintain
the integrity of the LADWP while conducting business in an ethical and professional
manner to ensure avoidance of all actual and potential conflicts of interest.
10. Work with the General Manager, Assistant General Managers, Division Heads, City
Attorney and other LADWP managers/staff to ensure that material, service and other
contractual requirements are met in a timely manner; this may include involvement in
planning sessions designed to educate customers about procurement cycles, lead times,
and purchasing requirements within the overall business acquisition of goods or services
to minimize response time.
11. Prepare and manage coordination/production of reports and presentations as
required.
12. Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Requirements:
1. Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or related field, from an accredited college or
university.
2. Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive work experience managing procurement
functions on behalf of an organization in an organized labor environment.
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3. Strong supervisory skills.
4. Strong time management and planning skills required to coordinate and prioritize
multiple projects simultaneously while adapting to changes in business requirements in a
fast-paced environment.
5. Ability to set clear goals and, through effective communication, share those goals with
staff.
6. Knowledge of public procurement best practices, laws and regulations.
7. Demonstrated expertise in independently drafting and analyzing RFP’s RFQ’s, RFI’s,
contracts, business documents, and/or other agreements while assuring compliance with
applicable laws, guidelines and prime contract terms.
8. Strong negotiation skills.
9. Superb written and verbal communication skills.
10. Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external customers.
11. Demonstrated ability to analyze information, situations, problems, policies, and
procedures to formulate logical and objective decisions.
12. Demonstrated high level of proficiency in the Microsoft suite of productivity
applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Visio, and familiarity with
enterprise financial systems.
Preferred Requirements:
1. Masters’ degree .
2. Minimum of five (5) years management experience in a public purchasing
environment.
3. Knowledge of e-procurement technologies.
COMPENSATION
An excellent benefits package and salary commensurate with
qualifications and experience will be provided.
To apply for this outstanding opportunity, please submit your
resume and letter of interest electronically as soon as possible to
William D. Hawkins
The Hawkins Company
8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 110-216
Los Angeles, California 90045
310-348-8800 ;bill@thehawkinscompany.com
This position will remain open until filled,. Application materials
should be received by January 31, 2014
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is an Equal Opportunity Employer