Heath Mills
Spanish Fork,Utah
Summary
Assistant Director of Purchasing with extensive experience supporting district-wide procurement, warehousing, surplus, and mail operations. A dedicated leader who manages by example and encouragement, prioritizing active listening to empower staff and foster a collaborative environment. Proven ability in managing purchase orders, contracts, bids, RFPs, budgets, and purchasing card programs in full compliance with Utah Code & Rule and audit requirements. Trusted team member providing operational oversight and strategic support to ensure fiscal accountability, service efficiency, and continuous improvement.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Director Department of Purchasing
Alpine School District
01.2024 - Current
- Directed Mail, Surplus, and Warehouse operations, supervising a team of 16 employees and implementing process improvements to ensure timely service delivery and regulatory compliance.
- Authorized purchase orders, manage contracts, and bids, monitoring expenditures to maintain accurate budget alignment and adherence to established policies.
- Managed full procurement lifecycle, including preparing specifications, issuing bids, conducting walk-throughs, evaluating responses, awarding contracts, and negotiating with vendors to ensure compliance and cost control.
- Led and managed hiring processes, including job postings, interviewing, evaluating, hiring, supervising, and training staff to maintain adequate staffing and enhance overall productivity.
Senior Buyer
Alpine School District
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Administer the bidding process and manage roughly 80 contracts to ensure vendor performance and compliance with budget requirements and Utah Code and Rule; support overall purchasing operations, including surplus, mail, and warehouse functions.
- Oversee surplus storage and auctions to ensure proper disposal of District assets in accordance with regulations, and lead in-service training and unit meetings to support staff effectiveness and compliance.
Buyer
Alpine School District
01.2015 - 01.2021
- Administer the competitive solicitation process (RFPs, RFQs, RFBs) through the U3P system, including developing specifications, evaluating bids/proposals, conducting meetings and walk-throughs, and recommending vendors.
- Manage and maintain purchasing contracts, records, and documentation, while ensuring compliance with Utah Code and Rule through ongoing coordination and training with Utah State Purchasing.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Integrated Studies with emphases in Business Management & Community Health
Utah Valley State College
Orem, UT01-2002
Skills
- Independent Public Procurement Professional Certification from the State of Utah
- Proficient in the following programs/applications: Alio, LINQ, Euna, U3P, Bonfiire, SciQuest, BidSync, Word, Excel, Windows, Microsoft Office & Google
- Over 280 hours of continuing education & training in purchasing by Procurement Education Partnership, National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Education Purchasing Advisory Committee
- Logistics Optimization: Streamlined 6 mail delivery routes by conducting individual driver ride-alongs to identify redundancies, resulting in reduced fuel costs and more efficient daily drive times
- Team Leadership & Communication: Overhauled departmental transparency by instituting monthly collaborative meetings for 10 staff members, successfully resolving long-standing communication gaps and improving team alignment
- Facility Management: Directed a comprehensive 550 sq ft renovation of the Surplus and Warehouse office spaces, significantly enhancing workplace cleanliness, organization, and employee morale
- Employee Engagement: Cultivated a high-trust culture across three departments by implementing a feedback-driven management style, ensuring frontline staff felt essential to operational success
- Awarded most outstanding employee of the year(s) 1999, 2004 with Alpine School District
- Baseball and Softball Youth League Coach 1999-2026
Accomplishments
- Lead and administer multi-million dollar procurement projects in coordination with the Physical Facilities Department for new construction initiatives.
- Oversaw and executed the construction of a surplus facility renovation and the addition of a new office for the Warehouse Lead, improving operational functionality and workspace efficiency.
- Directed the design and installation of a new concrete delivery dock for the warehouse, resolving longstanding drainage issues and improving safety and functionality.
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive contract management system, including standardized cover pages and a centralized, shareable Google Sheet to ensure enforceability, accessibility, and cross-departmental alignment.
- Improved departmental processes to increase efficiency, service timelines, and compliance across mail, warehouse, and surplus operations.
- Strengthened vendor management and bidding practices, helping ensure cost-effective purchasing and adherence to guidelines.
Certification
• Independent Public Procurement Professional Certification (IPPPC) from the State of Utah.
Timeline
Assistant Director Department of Purchasing
Alpine School District
01.2024 - Current
Senior Buyer
Alpine School District
01.2021 - 01.2024
Buyer
Alpine School District
01.2015 - 01.2021
Bachelor of Science - Integrated Studies with emphases in Business Management & Community Health
Utah Valley State College
References
Kim Richards
Director of Purchasing
Alpine School District
801-361-4384
kwrichards@alpinedistrict.org
Robert Boyer
Director of Accounting
Alpine School District
801-556-1749
rboyer@alpinedistrict.org
Dr Joel Perkins
Superintendent
Aspen Peaks School District
801-472-3683
jperkins@aspenpeaks.org
Frank Pulley
Director of Physical Facilities
Alpine School District/Aspen Peaks School District
801-404-9782
frankpulleyjr@alpinedistrict.org