Director, Procurement
About the role
The Salk Institute is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and innovative procurement leader to serve as Director of Procurement. This is an exciting opportunity to transform and elevate procurement operations within one of the world’s leading independent biological research institutions.
Responsibilities
Lead the Institute’s procurement strategy and operations to support organizational, scientific, and operational goals.
Develop and implement strategic sourcing initiatives that improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and maximize value across the Institute.
Partner with executive leadership, Finance, research laboratories, and administrative departments to align procurement strategies with business needs.
Serve as a trusted advisor on procurement-related matters, including sourcing strategies, contract negotiation, supplier selection, and compliance requirements.
Establish long-term procurement goals, operational priorities, and performance metrics for the department.
Direct all procurement activities related to goods, services, capital equipment, and supplier agreements.
Lead negotiations for complex contracts and supplier agreements, including fixed-price, cost-type, and service agreements.
Oversee competitive bid and Request for Proposal (RFP) processes, including solicitation development, supplier evaluation, contract award, and contract administration.
Ensure procurement activities comply with Institute policies, Uniform Guidance, FAR, DFARS, and other applicable federal and state regulations.
Develop and maintain procurement policies, procedures, and controls that support compliance, operational effectiveness, and risk mitigation.
Promote supplier initiatives and support compliance with small business subcontracting requirements.
Partner with Finance and Information Systems teams to optimize ERP and e-procurement systems, workflows, reporting, and integrations.
Lead modernization and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance procurement processes, automation, and user experience.
Utilize analytics, reporting, and financial data to support decision-making, forecasting, budgeting, and operational planning.
Develop procurement dashboards, metrics, and reporting tools to monitor departmental performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
Ensure appropriate internal controls and audit readiness across procurement operations.
Monitor procurement activities to ensure responsible stewardship of Institute resources and sound financial practices.
Support internal and external audit activities and ensure timely resolution of audit findings and compliance recommendations.
Collaborate with Grants and Research Accounting teams to support federal contracting requirements and reporting obligations.
Maintain knowledge of industry trends, regulatory updates, and procurement best practices to ensure continued compliance and operational excellence.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing procurement team focused on collaboration, accountability, innovation, and customer service.
Establish clear performance expectations, operational priorities, and professional development plans for staff.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence, and service-oriented support across the department.
Lead organizational change management initiatives related to procurement transformation and process improvement.
Support employee engagement, succession planning, and ongoing staff training and development.
Build strong cross-functional partnerships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to support Institute-wide objectives.
Provide consultative support to laboratories and departments regarding procurement best practices, sourcing options, and purchasing decisions.
Deliver responsive, customer-focused procurement services that support scientific research and operational needs.
Develop and conduct training presentations and educational resources related to procurement policies, systems, and procedures.
Build collaborative relationships across the Institute to support transparency, communication, and operational alignment.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited institution, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in procurement management or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years of experience working with Federal Uniform Guidance and predecessor regulations.
Minimum of 3 years of direct supervisory or people management experience.
Extensive experience with data analysis, reporting, and analytics development.
Experience managing complex departments, functions, or operational units.
Demonstrated success managing multiple complex projects and making sound business and financial decisions.
Proven leadership and relationship management skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with senior leaders, managers, and staff across the organization.
Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and/or e-procurement systems.
Experience developing and implementing process improvement initiatives.
Experience negotiating, developing, and administering contracts.
Experience managing formal Request for Proposal (RFP) processes.
Knowledge of FAR and DFARS regulations as they relate to procurement operations and services.
Preferred advanced degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Supply Chain, or a related field.
Professional certifications related to procurement, contracting, logistics, or supply chain management.
Training or certification in Lean management principles or project management methodologies.
Experience leading system modernization and implementation initiatives.
Experience leveraging AI tools or technologies to support procurement or operational processes.
Experience implementing and managing small business subcontracting plans required under federal contracts.
Experience interpreting and applying federal and state procurement regulations and laws.
Experience working with auditors and resolving audit findings or compliance recommendations.
Experience working within a large nonprofit, research, biotech, healthcare, or life sciences organization.