Senior Procurement Specialist

Senior Procurement Specialist

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.