GENESEO, N.Y., Sept. 12, 2024 – Livingston County Purchasing Director Ashley Scutt recently took home top honors in the Procurement Excellence Showcase at the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP): The Institute for Public Procurement Forum 2024 in Charlotte, N.C.
Scutt's winning presentation, titled "Achieving Procurement Excellence: The Procurement Collaboration and Education Cycle," highlighted the effective strategies she has implemented in Livingston County to improve procurement processes and strengthen relationships with suppliers and end users. Scutt's innovative method focused on a cyclical approach to procurement improvement, involving end-users in process enhancements and emphasizing user education and feedback. Her work has led to significant improvements in performance and customer satisfaction within Livingston County purchasing.
“I’m so proud to work for Livingston County where I’ve had the opportunity to implement dynamic improvements that have enhanced our performance, improved communication, and strengthened business relationships with suppliers and county staff,” said Scutt. “Perhaps most importantly, we’ve boosted morale, creating a workplace environment where people feel valued and empowered to contribute. I’m very honored to have represented the county on the national stage and shared our process improvements and the fantastic work being done here.”
As purchasing director, Scutt manages procurement activities for all county departments with the overarching goal of securing high-quality goods and services necessary for operations at the lowest possible cost to county taxpayers. Her department is responsible for requests for quotations and proposals, as well as processing purchase orders and issuing public bids. From ambulances and printer paper to asphalt and computers, if it is being purchased by county government, Scutt is involved in overseeing the transaction.
The Institute for Public Procurement Forum is the largest public procurement gathering in North America. This year marked the forum’s first ever Procurement Excellence Showcase, with the goal of sharing insights and celebrating procurement success stories. Scutt and other participants presented a summary of their work to the more than 3,000 attendees from across the country before voters in attendance weighed in on their favorite presentation. As the inaugural Procurement Excellence Showcase winner, Scutt’s work will be featured in an upcoming National Institute of Governmental Purchasing blog and she will receive free enrollment in a continuing education course of her choosing.
To view a copy of Scutt’s presentation, visit the NIGP website here.
To learn more about the county’s purchasing processes, visit Livingston County’s Purchasing Department website here.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.