Procurement and Contracts Manager

About the role

The Procurement & Contracts Manager leads the University’s procurement and contracting activities, serving as the institution’s primary procurement authority.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of the University’s new procurement system, including requirements gathering, workflow design, testing, and go-live support.
• Develop and document procurement processes, approval workflows, and system procedures.
• Administer the procurement system after implementation, including configurations, vendor records, approval hierarchies, category structures, and punch-out catalogs.
• Maintain supplier, contract, and category master data in the ERP/procurement system and/or contract portal.
• Support qualification and onboarding of new vendors in alignment with University standards.
• Resolve order discrepancies, defective goods, invoice issues, and delivery problems in coordination with Accounts Payable, vendors, and campus departments.
• Compile and analyze procurement data to support trend analysis, cost-savings initiatives, and supplier performance reporting.
• Develop, document, and maintain procurement policies, procedures, and approval workflows.
• Evaluate bids and proposals and make data-informed purchasing decisions.
• Translate outcomes into well-structured, enforceable agreements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Public Administration, or related field.
• 3–5 years of progressively responsible procurement, purchasing, or sourcing experience.
• Experience in higher education, public sector, or a similarly regulated environment.
• Experience with competitive bidding processes (RFI/RFQ/RFP) and contract negotiation.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate pricing, proposals, and market trends.
• Excellent communication, customer service, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply procurement policies, regulations, and best practices.
• Proficiency with ERP or procurement systems and Microsoft Office applications.

Qualifications

• Preferred certification such as CPPB, CPPO, CPSM, or CSCP.
• Experience developing procurement processes or building a procurement function.
• Knowledge of sustainable purchasing practices and supplier diversity programs.

Skills

• Analytical and problem-solving aptitude with strong attention to detail.
• Advanced ability to review, interpret, and negotiate contracts, including terms, conditions, pricing structures, service levels, and risk-mitigation provisions.
• Knowledge of contract law principles, regulatory requirements, and compliance considerations relevant to higher-education procurement.
• Comfort with ERP/procurement systems, including catalog and punch-out functionality.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in vendor selection and campus engagement.
• Capacity to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and discretion.
• Aptitude to learn new technology, methods, and procedures.
• Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside or outside the University.
• Ability to use appropriate judgment when making decisions and recommendations.

Benefits

Commensurate with candidate's education, experience, skills, and training.

Pay

$90,000 - $100,000 annually

Schedule

Full-time (40 hours)