Strategic Sourcing Manager

Join our team at the California State University, Office of the Chancellor, and make a difference in providing access to higher education. The CSU Chancellor's Office, located on the waterfront adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific in downtown Long Beach, is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education.

About the role

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Manager to support strategic procurement initiatives by developing, coordinating, and executing systemwide sourcing projects and procurement contracts that deliver value, mitigate risk, and ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies. This role serves as a critical link between stakeholders, vendors, and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Manages systemwide sourcing events from research through award.
• Conducts market research and spend analysis to support sourcing strategies and recommendations.
• Develops and maintains sourcing project plans and timelines.
• Leads systemwide cross-functional sourcing discovery calls and strategy meetings with CSU representatives and outside consultants.
• Develops cost models, target savings, and total cost of ownership analyses.
• Creates and maintains scorecards, key performance indicators, and supplier performance metrics.
• Negotiates systemwide supplier agreements and terms to ensure value and compliance.
• Leads and manages pre-bid meetings, evaluation processes, and supplier debriefings as appropriate.
• Drafts, reviews, and tracks procurement contracts, amendments, and supporting documentation.
• Ensures contracts align with CSU procurement policies and the California Public Contract Code.
• Supports compliance and contract lifecycle management efforts, including insurance verification and policy adherence.
• Maintains organized and current contract files and data in applicable procurement systems.
• Collaborates with internal departments, campuses, and external stakeholders to identify sourcing needs and opportunities.
• Builds and maintains vendor relationships to support sourcing event execution and contract compliance for the life cycle of the contract.
• Serves as a liaison for contract inquiries and supplier problem resolution across the CSU system.
• Provides high-quality consultative services and guidance to campuses and departments regarding procurement processes and best practices.
• Supports strategies that increase contract awareness, adoption, and utilization across campuses.
• Monitors and identifies emerging procurement trends, policy updates, and industry benchmarks to inform sourcing efforts.
• Prepares reports, presentations, and outreach materials to support communication and engagement efforts for new strategic sourcing contracts.
• Leads and/or participates in systemwide meetings, training sessions, and advisory groups.
• Acts as a leader in supporting a culture of continuous improvement, shared leadership, and professional excellence.
• Supports special projects, task forces, or process improvement initiatives as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) or more years of related work experience in business, marketing, or contracts/law with demonstrated success.
• Extensive experience with procurement software systems (e.g., Jaggaer, PlanetBids, PeopleSoft, or similar) is desirable.
• Advanced knowledge of procurement and sourcing methodologies.
• Extensive expertise managing and leading complex competitive procurement processes, including the strategic development, execution, and evaluation of RFPs, RFQs, and RFIs, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks and fostering fair, transparent vendor selection.
• Strong analytical skills, with precision and attention to detail, enabling accurate interpretation of complex data and development of evidence-based solutions.
• Effective communication and negotiation abilities, needed to reach agreement with vendors and stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines across multiple concurrent sourcing projects.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; ability to work with diverse stakeholders across the CSU system.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment, given regular access to vendor and contract information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and comfort with procurement systems and analytical software.
• Willingness to learn CSU procurement policies, the California Public Contract Code, and other relevant regulations.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid or remote environment, using tools such as Teams, Zoom, and shared cloud platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a higher education, public agency, or nonprofit setting preferred.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• Generous vacation plan
• 15 paid holidays a year
• Tuition waiver education program (also applies to eligible family members)
• Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

More details: Comprehensive Benefits Package

Pay

The anticipated salary hiring range is up to $120,000 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Schedule

Flexibility to telecommute two days a week, with three days on-site at the main headquarters in Long Beach, California.