Apply on Employer Site

CREC · 5 hours ago

Cooperative Purchasing Program Assistant - JOB ID# 13771

Hartford, CT

Part-time

Hybrid

New Grad, Entry Level

Capitol Region Education Council is seeking a Part-Time Cooperative Purchasing Program Assistant to oversee the administration of the school district's cooperative purchasing program for food services. This role involves managing the bidding and procurement process while ensuring compliance with regulations and supporting cost-effective purchasing for various food items and supplies.

Assistive TechnologyConsultingE-LearningEducationFamily

Responsibilities

Provide administrative and operational support to the Executive Committee, including organizing meetings, preparing materials, documenting action items, and recording official meeting minutes

Serve as the primary point of contact for all cooperative purchasing activities

Coordinate with participating districts, organizations, and member schools to assess purchasing needs, timelines, and procurement schedules

Monitor and manage procurement cycles to ensure timely execution of bids, awards and contract renewals

Prepare, release, and manage RFPs, RFQs, and formal bid solicitations in compliance with USDA, NSLP, and Connecticut state procurement requirements

Evaluate vendor responses and provide award recommendations based on cost effectiveness, product quality, and regulatory compliance

Identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements across cooperative purchasing activities

Monitor trends in product pricing, availability, and market conditions to support informed purchasing decisions

Prepare reports summarizing cooperative purchasing activity, cost savings, and fiscal impact for district leadership and stakeholders

Develop and maintain procurement calendars aligned with district operational needs and cooperative timelines

Coordinate bid release dates, vendor deadlines, evaluation periods, and contract start dates

Ensure procurement milestones are met to prevent service disruptions

Serve as the liaison between the Executive Committee, participating districts, vendors, and school nutrition programs

Communicate procurement timelines, expectations, and outcomes to all stakeholders

Provide guidance and training to participating districts and school nutrition staff on cooperative purchasing policies, procedures, and procurement best practices

Ensure all cooperative purchasing activities comply with federal (USDA, NSLP), state (Connecticut), and local procurement regulations

Maintain oversight of procurement documentation to mitigate audit, financial, and compliance risks

Ensure Buy American provisions and contract requirements are met

Support the Executive Committee by facilitating coordination, documentation, and follow-up on cooperative initiatives

Promote collaboration and consistent procurement practices across participating districts

Assist in aligning cooperative purchasing goals with districts operational priorities

Obtain, maintain, and provide accurate nutritional information for all food products purchased through the cooperative, including; CN labels, Ingredient statements, Product Formulation Statements (PFS), Allergen documentation, Buy American compliance documentation

Ensure product specifications meet USDA meal pattern requirements and district standards

Ensure procurement processes support food safety, allergen management, and regulatory compliance

Maintain organized, accurate, and audit-ready records of all cooperative purchasing activities, bids, contracts, and procurement correspondence

Support internal and external reviews, audits, or monitoring visits as needed

Comply with all company policies and procedures

Other duties as assigned

Qualification

BusinessAccountingSupply ChainFood Service ManagementSchool NutritionFood Service ProcurementCooperative PurchasingNSLP RegulationsUSDA Procurement RegulationsConnecticut Purchasing RequirementsData AnalysisMicrosoft Office SuiteOrganizational SkillsTime ManagementAttention to DetailWritten CommunicationVerbal CommunicationCollaboration Skills