Summary
The Procurement Manager serves as a key leadership role within the finance and administration operations of the educational institution, overseeing comprehensive purchasing processes and guiding a team of professionals. Balancing team development with hands-on strategic execution, this position is responsible for personally closing the most complex, systemwide negotiations while ensuring strict adherence to the Procurement Code. By leveraging advanced negotiation skills, budgeting expertise, and mastery of platforms like PeopleSoft, the Procurement Manager drives the compliant and cost-effective acquisition of critical goods and services to support the institution's broader mission.
Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Supervision: Manage, coach, and develop a team of professional procurement staff to drive performance and achieve departmental objectives.
Complex Systemwide Negotiations: Personally lead and close high-stakes, large-volume negotiations for IT, goods, and services to secure optimal value for the institution.
Regulatory Compliance & Interpretation: Enforce strict adherence to the Procurement Code, interpreting rules and disseminating clear guidance to team members and institutional stakeholders.
Project & Contract Management: Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of major vendor agreements and procurement projects, ensuring all deliverables and terms are met effectively.
Procurement Systems Mastery: Leverage specialized platforms, including PeopleSoft and the Supplier Portal, to efficiently execute formal solicitations and track purchasing metrics.
Budgeting & Fiscal Operations: Apply rigorous financial management principles to oversee procurement budgets and drive cost-effective purchasing strategies across the institution.
Strategic Analysis & Awarding: Evaluate complex proposals, identify critical award factors, and implement strategic agreements that align with educational and operational goals.
State Agency Liaison: Serve as the primary point of contact with external regulatory bodies, such as the Materials Management Office, to ensure seamless state-level coordination.
Qualifications and Requirements
Experience & Leadership
Required: Proven experience in procurement operations with a demonstrated ability to manage, coach, and develop a team of professional staff.
Required: Track record of personally leading and closing the most complex, high-stakes, systemwide negotiations.
Preferred: Extensive background in complex, large-volume procurement specifically for IT, goods, and services within an educational or public sector environment.
Preferred: Experience serving as a primary liaison with state regulatory bodies, such as the Materials Management Office.Technical Skills & Systems
Required: Mastery of procurement systems, specifically PeopleSoft and Supplier Portal, for executing formal solicitations.
Required: Advanced proficiency in project and contract management, including identifying award factors and implementing agreements.
Required: Deep understanding of budgeting and fiscal management applied to procurement operations.Compliance & Regulatory Knowledge
Required: Expert command of the Procurement Code and related regulatory frameworks.
Required: Strong analytical ability to interpret complex rules and disseminate clear, actionable guidance to team members and institutional stakeholders.Education & Certifications
Required: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Public Administration, or a related discipline.
Preferred: Professional management credentials such as Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) or NIGP Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP).