Director, Rolling Stock Procurements, MNR

Description

SUMMARY:

This position is a Director responsible for managing all the activities of the Metro-North Procurement Departments Rolling Stock subgroup. This position is responsible for the management of the procurement of Rolling Stock and associated Equipment/Apparatus and to support and assist with reducing life cycle costs and cost of acquisition while ensuring compliance with all Federal and State laws, statutes and regulations and MTA policies, procedures and guidelines relating to the procurement process. This position is accountable to ensure that through the management of his or her staff, and the processes used by that staff, all procurements meet the overall business goals of the MTA/MNR. Additionally, this position will ensure that Rolling Stock Capital Spares are obtained in accordance with scope, schedules, and budgets within the MTA/MNR 5 Year Plan and incorporate long-term business needs into current commodity acquisitions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage the procurement process for the MNR Procurement Departments Rolling Stock subgroups Rolling Stock needs, which includes planning, administration, commodity management and warranty administration to ensure appropriate acceptance of provisions for the procurement of Capital Rolling Stock.
• Ensure that all procurements are completed within established timeframes, following all applicable federal, state and MTA guidelines, with proper terms and conditions, at a fair and reasonable price. Ensure all purchases are in accordance with MNRs business plans and interpreting those needs to vendors.
• Manage the development of effective targeted plans for vendor relationships over a multi-year contract term. Define appropriate basis of pricing and ensure the best methods of establishing vendor qualifications are utilized.
• Ensure Department and Vendor performance meet the scopes, schedules, and budgets of the users.
• Develop and implement Rolling Stock Vendor Outreach initiative, including market survey and capacity analysis. Serve as departmental liaison with MTA and MNR Senior Management and the Rolling Stock Development Initiative (RSDI) with respect to all issues relevant to procurement of rolling stock. Liaise with the MTA Deputy Chief, Rolling Stock Strategy on current and future MNR Rolling Stock needs.
• Select, develop, and motivate personnel within the department. Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling. Review direct reports performance and approve performance appraisals. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential. If necessary, provides input into the discipline of employees.
• Ensure a safe working environment and adherence to guidelines of company safety policies and procedures. Lead by example. Reduce the number of employee and customer accidents.
• Stay informed of the Rolling Stock Programs business, technological needs, and trends. Be cognizant of larger business, technological and regulatory trends that can or will affect the railway industry and use this knowledge to manage the activities of the Rolling Stock subgroup while meeting overall Departmental and Corporate goals.
• Represent the Department Head, and his/her/their designees in meetings with senior MTA/MNR staff.
• Provide Departmental continuity and ensure business needs of department and company are met.
• Perform other assignments as requested by the ADCPO and Senior Management.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Must possess progressively responsible experience managing procurement for rolling stock (or demonstrate equivalent) including experience managing complex assignments and deadlines, and budget in a large, complex, and unionized work environment preferably in a railroad or manufacturing environment.
• Must possess demonstrated sound, thorough knowledge of effective procurement practices and all relevant statutes, laws and regulations governing the MNR (or demonstrated equivalent) procurement processes.
• Must possess thorough knowledge of FTA (Federal Transit Administration) Best Practices, cost and price analysis and life cycle costing.
• Must possess proven, excellent project management and leadership skills to enable MNR Procurement Department and other MNR staff to deliver higher quality service to the Departments customers at lower costs.
• Must be flexible when the MNR 5 Year Plan changes, and guide staff to meet these procurement revisions in order to satisfy the MNR Rolling Stock subgroup.
• Must understand the rolling stock business, technological needs and trends, and be cognizant of larger business, technological and regulatory trends that can or will affect the railway industry.
• Must possess superior problem solving, judgment, decision-making and analytical skills with strong technology skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with all internal levels within a given organization.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact well with external agencies. External agencies may include the New York State Controllers Office, MTAs Office of Inspector General, New York City government, elected and other public officials, as well as any staff located at other federal or state agencies or authorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-profile, high-pressure environment effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with key internal and/or external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to complete short- and long-term projects effectively and as efficiently as possible.
• Demonstrated analytical capabilities and quantitative skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED

• BA/BS in Business Administration, Finance, Management, Transportation, Supply Chain or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree; and
• Minimum seven (7) years of related experience in a progressively responsible administrative position with emphasis on procurement, contract administration, or engineering as it relates to solicitation and negotiation of awards for transit rolling stock procurement.
• Demonstrated supervisory and/or leadership abilities.

PREFERRED

• Experience in managing and developing staff.
• Prior experience working in a large, multi-faceted, fast-paced organization or governmental body.
• Thorough knowledge of the commodities used by MNR for both its capital and operating needs.
• Thorough understanding of how commodity availability affects Railroad operations.
• Good knowledge of the MNR budgeting process, both capital and operating, and of the interaction of the two, so that procurement decisions can be made with a proper understanding of their effect on the Railroads budget.
• Familiarity with the MTAs collective bargaining procedures.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the Commission).

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.