Senior Procurement Officer – Military Research Support

Duties/Responsibilities

• Perform research and serve as the primary procurement lead for university research programs supporting military sponsors, including those involving CUI, classified, and special operations work.
• Manage procurement processes in full compliance with FAR, DFARS, and other applicable federal and institutional regulations.
• Ensure adherence to DPAS-rated order requirements and provide subject matter guidance on prioritized procurements.
• Support research projects with accelerated timelines, including some programs with performance periods of six months or less.
• Work closely with and collaborate with staff principal investigators, sponsored programs, legal counsel, and compliance units to ensure procurement aligns with both mission and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct supplier negotiations, review quotes and contracts, terms and conditions, and issue purchase orders in accordance with all applicable guidelines.
• Manage and maintain detailed audit-ready records and schedule of procurement activity related to sensitive and classified research efforts.
• Monitor regulatory updates, changes in federal guidance, and university policies affecting procurement operations.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree - preferably in science, engineering, or business with 8 - 10 years full-time work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and years of experience.
• Knowledge of MS Office Suite.
• US Citizenship (No Dual Citizenship).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and relevant federal statutes and procurement rules.
• Proven ability to support CUI and classified research programs, including work with DoD or military-related sponsors.
• Proficiency with DPAS requirements and handling priority-rated orders.
• At least 8-10 years of procurement experience with federal contracts, preferably in a university, research, or defense-related environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience managing short-duration programs and working under strict deadlines preferred.
• Ability to work independently and manage high-stakes procurement processes with minimal oversight strongly preferred.
• A high energy person with a strong desire to assure program success desired.
• Acquisition Planning & Market Research preferred.
• Develop acquisition plans in coordination with program managers, legal, and budget offices strongly preferred.
• Conduct and document market research per FAR Part 10 to determine commerciality, competition, and acquisition approach desired.
• Prepare Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs) and Justifications for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOCs), when applicable preferred.
• Compliance and Oversight Responsibilities:
• Ensure Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) entries are accurate.
• Apply Defense Priorities and Allocation System (DPAS) ratings when the contract involves national defense priorities.

Preferred Certifications

• Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)
• Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM)
• Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Certifications
• Certified Public Procurement Officer, Certified Public Procurement Buyer
• Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C)

Published Salary

$103,292 - $132,250