Director, Procurement

Job location is at 10240 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92121

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.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Procurement will lead the Institute's procurement, supplier management, and contracting functions while driving operational excellence, compliance, and strategic sourcing initiatives across the organization. This role partners closely with scientific, operational, and administrative leaders to deliver high-value procurement solutions that support groundbreaking scientific discovery.

The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking leader with deep expertise in procurement operations, supplier strategy, contract negotiation, and process optimization within a complex and highly regulated environment.

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Strategic Procurement Leadership

• 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 structures, supplier selection, and compliance requirements.
• Establish long-term procurement goals, operational priorities, and performance metrics for the department.

Procurement & Contract Management

• 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.
• Oversee supplier performance management and identify opportunities to improve service levels, pricing, and operational outcomes.
• Promote supplier initiatives and support compliance with small business subcontracting requirements.

Operational & Systems Management

• 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.

Financial & Compliance Oversight

• 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.

Leadership & Team Development

• 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.

Customer Partnership & Service Excellence

• 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.

What we Require

Required

• 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.

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $150,000 to $172,000 per annum. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Why Join Salk?

At the Salk Institute, you'll work alongside world-renowned scientists and professionals dedicated to advancing scientific discovery and improving human health. We value integrity, collaboration, innovation, accountability, and respect. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful organizational impact while helping support research that changes the world.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk's pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym "I CARE" provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:

1. Any combination of characteristics.
2. A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
3. A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.