Vendor Program Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Job Description The Department of Management (DOM), Division of Information Technology (DoIT), is seeking a Contract Manager to support and strengthen our contracting and vendor management activities across state agencies. This role plays a key part in developing and managing procurement documents, evaluating vendor proposals, overseeing information technology purchasing, and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and policies. The ideal candidate is skilled in coordinating complex procurement processes, collaborating with legal and technical teams, and guiding staff through best practices in contract and vendor management.

What You Will Do Participate in the full request for proposal process, ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, and government procurement policies. Draft, edit, and review procurement documents such as requests for proposals, requests for quotes, bids, statements of work, and related materials. Conduct or attend formal bid lettings to ensure procurement activities follow written policies and procedures.

Evaluate vendor proposals, lead vendor negotiations, and support supplier selection based on pricing, quality, and delivery criteria. Assist with negotiating and finalizing vendor contracts, ensuring adherence to state procurement regulations and best practices. Monitor contract performance, track compliance, and collaborate with vendors and internal stakeholders to resolve issues or implement corrective actions.

Serve as a subject-matter expert for contracts and procurement, providing guidance to agency staff on processes, compliance requirements, and contract management. Write detailed product specifications for technical or major information technology purchases and verify that procured items meet those specifications. Oversee strategic information technology procurement activities across state agencies, ensuring efficient processes and compliance with organizational and governmental regulations.

Collaborate with legal, security, and information technology contracting teams to review and develop procurement agreements-including statements of work, service level agreements, quotes, and bid documents-and monitor compliance with service level agreements, key performance indicators, and contractual obligations. What We Are Seeking Strong knowledge of government procurement processes, including competitive bidding, vendor evaluation, and contract compliance. Ability to draft, review, and manage procurement and contract documents with clarity, accuracy, and adherence to regulations.

Skilled in collaborating with vendors and internal teams to negotiate terms, monitor contract performance, and resolve issues. Experience supporting information technology procurement activities, including developing specifications and ensuring alignment with organizational and regulatory requirements. What We Offer Flexible work environment Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS) Health, dental, and vision insurance Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays Life and disability insurance Retirement savings options (RIC) Flexible Spending Accounts Why Work with Us.

At the Iowa Department of Management (DOM), we help government agencies across the state perform at their best by managing financial resources, technology, and information. Our mission is rooted in service-we provide efficient, innovative, and strategic solutions that empower agencies to fulfill their goals. We're guided by four core values: Integrity - We act with honesty and accountability.

Teamwork - We collaborate to achieve shared success. Service - We are committed to excellence in public service. Partnership - We build strong relationships to drive results.

Working Arrangement This position requires onsite work in Des Moines, IA each week. Employees meeting all expectations of their work responsibilities may request remote work and develop a hybrid/remote schedule collaboratively with their manager. Please note, candidates for this position must reside in the state of Iowa at the time of starting the role.

Background Check Requirements After a conditional offer of employment has been made, and as the final step in the hiring process, candidates for this position will be subject to a background investigation, which may include but may not be limited to a verification of a candidate's education, previous employment/work history, contact of personal references, motor vehicle records, and a criminal history check (including through Federal, State, or Local criminal justice agencies). Information gathered as part of such background investigation will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by Iowa Code section 22.7, 8B.4A, and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; provided that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, such information shall be available to candidates upon request. E-Verify and Right to Work The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees

Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov

Minimum Qualification Requirements Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification: 1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field, and experience equal to two years of full-time work in application development and database management, business analysis, systems and network administration, technical training and reporting, IT vendor and purchasing management, IT project management, IT product management, system testing and quality assurance, mainframe and platform administration, and/or information technology security. 2) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in computer science, computer applications, software engineering, computer engineering, management information systems, business analytics, or cyber security, and experience equal to one year of full-time work in application development and database management, business analysis, systems and network administration, technical training and reporting, IT vendor and purchasing Information management, IT project management, IT product management, system testing and quality assurance, mainframe and platform administration, and/or information technology security. 3) All of the following (a and b): a.

Two years of full-time work experience in application development and database management, business analysis, systems and network administration, technical training and reporting, IT vendor and purchasing management, IT project management, IT product management, system testing and quality assurance, mainframe and platform administration, and/or information technology security; and b. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience. 4) All of the following (a and b): a.

Four years of full-time work experience in application development and database management, business analysis, systems and network administration, technical training and reporting, IT vendor and purchasing management, IT project management, IT product management, system testing and quality assurance, mainframe and platform administration, and/or information technology security; and b. Either of the following: i. Certification from an authorized educational institution/major computer or software producer in one or more of the specialty areas listed in part a; or ii.

Eighteen semester hours from an accredited college or university in one or more of the specialty areas listed in part a. 5) Current, continuous experience in the state executive current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to six months of full-time work as an Information Technology Specialist 3. For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.