The Senior Procurement Specialist is responsible for managing supplier relationships, driving cost savings, and supporting the University's procurement strategy. This position serves as a trusted collaborator to campus stakeholders by providing expertise in procurement fundamentals, commodity management, and supplier performance management, while ensuring compliance with University policies and applicable regulations.
This role plays a key part in advancing Procurement's transformation through automation, data analytics, forecasting, supplier optimization, and the effective use of emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
- 8-10 years of progressively responsible procurement and supply chain experience.
- Six Sigma and/or Kaizen certification
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple high dollar commodities simultaneously.
- Experience with strategic procurement, supplier management, spend analysis, and process improvement.
Skills and Knowledge
- Advanced knowledge of procurement principles, commodity management, supplier relationship management, and supply chain best practices.
- Advanced proficiency with Excel and demonstrated ability to analyze complex procurement and financial data.
- Proficiency with ERP/procurement systems such as Oracle or SAP, as well as PowerPoint and Smartsheet.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively utilize AI-enabled and analytical tools to improve efficiency, analysis, and decision-making.
- Strong financial analysis, forecasting, benchmarking, and spend analysis skills.
- Strong negotiation, problem-solving, and supplier performance management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple commodities, projects, and competing priorities simultaneously.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively engage suppliers and stakeholders at all organizational levels.
- Demonstrated ability to identify process improvements and support procurement technology and automation initiatives.
Responsibilities
Procurement & Commodity Management
- Proactively manage multiple commodity portfolios simultaneously, navigating easily across categories while identifying opportunities for cost reduction, operational efficiencies, supplier optimization, and value creation.
- Apply sound procurement fundamentals and best practices consistently across a wide range of commodities and service categories such as, but not limited to; Athletics, Construction, Facilities, IT Hardware and Software, Marketing, Operations and Research
- Conduct market research, benchmarking, and supplier analysis to support procurement decisions.
- Monitor market trends, supply chain risks, pricing fluctuations, and inflationary impacts that may affect University operations.
- Develop mitigation strategies to reduce supply chain disruptions.
- Multi-task effectively across concurrent procurement activities and shifting priorities without loss of quality or timeliness.
- Support Strategic Sourcing on RFQs, RFPs as needed
Supplier Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong, productive supplier partnerships in collaboration with Strategic Sourcing
- In support of Strategic Sourcing, evaluate supplier performance using measurable metrics and scorecards
- Proactively manage supplier service levels and delivery performance on an ongoing basis.
- Resolve supplier performance issues while maintaining productive business relationships.
- Establish and manage performance improvement plans for underperforming suppliers.
Financial Analysis
- Perform spend analysis for all proposals and identify savings opportunities.
- Analyze procurement data to support strategic decision making.
- Develop forecasting models for commodities managed
- Track and report savings initiatives and procurement performance metrics
- Utilize advanced Excel and reporting tools to support analysis.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Proactively partner with campus departments to understand business needs.
- Engage stakeholders early during project planning to align on procurement needs and priorities.
- Provide procurement guidance throughout the procurement lifecycle.
- Deliver exceptional customer service while balancing compliance and operational needs.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Proactively partner with campus departments to understand business needs.
- Engage stakeholders early during project planning to align on procurement needs and priorities.
- Provide procurement guidance throughout the procurement lifecycle.
- Deliver exceptional customer service while balancing compliance and operational needs.
Physical Requirements
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.