Deloris earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Columbia College, has over 18 years of public purchasing experience and is qualified as a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB). She is an active member of the South Carolina Association of Governmental Purchasing Officials (SCAGPO) and the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP). Deloris began her procurement career as a Procurement Specialist with the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Public Safety. Deloris started working with the South Carolina Technical College System in 2018 as a Procurement Manager.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Dependable, dedicated and grateful. I am particularly grateful to work with a goal-oriented group of people who aim to provide quality, expeditious service to the South Carolina Technical College System.
Please tell us about your job.
I assist in purchasing complex goods and services in accordance with South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code and Department Policies and Procedures. These purchases include security services for colleges, HVAC contracts for colleges and for readySC, and videos to support the Evolve grant. I also provide guidance to the smaller technical colleges in our System who do not have a procurement professional on staff.
You have not always worked in procurement. Tell us about the transition.
I previously worked in Finance, so the transition to procurement was a natural one. My procurement experience at the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Public Safety prepared me for the move to SCTCS. Though the commodities were different, the process was the same. In those positions, my purchases were usually equipment; now, I tend to purchase more services.
What is the biggest challenge of your job?
It is a juggling act to meet the needs of the client, accurately communicate vendors’ offerings, and protect the interests of the agency—and do all of this quickly. However, my work is also highly rewarding because it is service-based.
What is something you like about your job?
I fell in love with the world of procurement and knew this would be my career path. I love my job because of the diversity of goods/services I procure and the opportunity to work with great people.
