Summary
As a pivotal leader within the educational institution's finance and administration sector, the Procurement Director sets the strategic sourcing vision and develops robust procurement policies aligned with state and federal regulations. This role exists to protect the institution by leading high-stakes contract negotiations, managing large-scale budgets, and rendering sound decisions on major bids and vendor protests. Ultimately, the Director drives operational excellence and mitigates risk across the entire procurement lifecycle while mentoring a dedicated team of procurement professionals.
Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Category Management: Drive the overarching sourcing strategy, overseeing mandatory term contracts and complex category management initiatives to maximize institutional value.
Policy Development & Compliance: Formulate and implement defensible procurement policies that ensure strict adherence to state and federal educational regulations.
Bid Approval & Protest Adjudication: Render sound, high-judgment decisions on major bids and formally adjudicate complex vendor protests to protect the institution.
High-Stakes Contract Negotiation: Lead the negotiation of the institution's most significant and high-value contracts to secure favorable terms and mitigate financial risk.
Team Leadership & Development: Mentor and develop a team of procurement professionals while cultivating a culture of operational excellence.
Departmental Budget Management: Direct the daily operations of the procurement department, taking full ownership of departmental budget planning and financial outcomes.
Risk Mitigation & Operations Oversight: Apply high-level judgment across a large, complex administrative operation to proactively identify risks and ensure overall procurement integrity.
Inventory & Property Accounting: Maintain deep oversight of supply chain operations, including inventory control and comprehensive property accounting practices.
Qualifications and Requirements
Experience & Education
Required: 7+ years of progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, and category management, ideally within an educational or public sector setting.
Required: Proven track record of leading high-stakes contract negotiations for an institution's most significant and high-value agreements.
Required: Demonstrated experience in staff leadership, team development, and overseeing a comprehensive departmental budget.
Preferred: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Public Administration, or a related field.Certifications
Preferred: Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) certification.
Preferred: NIGP Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP) designation.
Preferred: Active engagement and participation in industry organizations such as SCAGPO and NAEP.Domain Expertise
Required: Deep expertise in policy development with a thorough understanding of state and federal procurement regulations.
Required: Extensive experience in protest adjudication, including the authority and judgment to approve major bids and decide complex vendor protests.
Required: Experience managing mandatory term contracts and overseeing complex category management lifecycles.
Preferred: Advanced knowledge of inventory control, supply chain management, and property accounting practices.Leadership & Soft Skills
Required: Exceptional high-judgment decision-making skills capable of protecting the institution from financial and legal risks.
Required: Strong interpersonal and mentoring skills to develop a high-performing department of procurement professionals.
Preferred: Acute risk awareness and strategic foresight across large, multifaceted administrative operations.