Manager of Supplier Operations

Manager of Supplier Operations

US-NJ-Princeton

Job ID: 2023-17216
Type: Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Financial Services and Procurement

Princeton University

Overview

The Office of Finance & Treasury at Princeton University is seeking a Manager of Supplier Operations to join our Procurement Services team. The Manager of Supplier Operations is responsible for leading the university’s supplier management function, facilitating the annual processing of over 20,000 supplier onboarding and maintenance requests. The manager plays a vital role in the control framework ensuring all legal and university policy requirements have been met before any purchases or payments with a third-party can take place. The position also prioritizes daily processing assignments to meet or exceed established SLA’s, addresses service escalations, and provides functional leadership, regular coaching and guidance for a team of supplier management processors.

In addition to responsibility for the processing of all incoming onboarding and maintenance requests, the manager leads continuous improvement efforts to deliver timely, efficient, accurate, and well controlled processes, by balancing four key priorities:

• Compliance with applicable laws and policies – Interpreting a range of regulations, University policies, and employment and tax laws, the manager establishes and ensures consistent application of controls and monitors ongoing compliance.
• Adaptive service delivery – Servicing a wide range of suppliers and payees subject to distinct and varying requirements, the manager fosters service focused approaches that are comprehensive, flexible, intuitive, and responsive.
• Fraud mitigation – Developing and maintaining an understanding of continuously evolving fraud schemes and techniques, the manager regularly introduces, tests, and adapts controls to mitigate fraud risk.
• Accurate recordkeeping – Ensuring the integrity of supplier and payee data, the manager implements and maintains best practices for harmonizing data across multiple applications and auditing data accuracy.

Further supporting these priorities, the manager develops relevant training and communications to the campus community. In addition, this role collaborates with key process partners, stakeholders, and colleagues to develop effective onboarding solutions and approaches for one-time and emerging needs.

The Office of Finance & Treasury actively searches for staff members of exceptional ability and promise who share in Princeton University's commitment to excellence, and who present a diversity of viewpoints and cultures. We offer varied professional opportunities spanning all aspects of financial management, analysis, and processing in support of the teaching and research mission. As part of the University community, we respect the dignity and individuality of each member while trying to foster a sense of shared experience and common purpose. We are unwavering in our commitment to both diversity and community and embrace the variety of talents, backgrounds, and perspectives of all our colleagues.

Responsibilities

Management of supplier management policies, processes, and compliance

• Directs staff in the processing of all activity streams including requests to create, update, and deactivate supplier and payee records and review supporting documentation for adherence to legal, regulatory, and University policy requirements
• Establishes and documents standardized procedures and other materials for all supplier management processes
• Manages and prioritizes proposed technology and process improvements with key process partners to ensure enhancements are impactful and implemented effectively
• Maintains an understanding of continuously evolving fraud schemes and techniques and regularly introduces, tests, and adapts controls to mitigate fraud risk
• Identifies and introduces process improvements that promote efficiency and consistency

Service Delivery

• Collaborates with process partners, stakeholders, and colleagues to develop solutions for unique, one-time, and emerging needs beyond current process capabilities
• Functions as a processor during periods of peak volume and staffing shortages
• Adapts Finance and Treasury’s service excellence principles to the supplier management function

Campus communication and training

• Responsible for development and delivery of campus communications and training materials
• Serves as the initial point of contact for supplier management policy inquiries and interpretation; supports the development, clarification and editing of policies to address new requirements, regulatory impacts, and resolves ambiguous guidance

Staff Supervision and Management

• In partnership with each associate, establishes professional development plans and monitors ongoing progress
• Provides regular coaching and feedback on job performance, areas of opportunity and strength
• Ensures appropriate staffing levels are maintained at all times to support campus requirements
• Communicates and trains staff on university policies and critical business processes (e.g., information security, records retention, confidentiality)

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years’ experience in a transactional processing environment
• Experience developing and delivering training programs and supporting materials
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities and respond quickly to changing business needs
• Proficiency balancing strategic thinking and planning with tactical implementation and execution
• Proficiency with data analysis and business process design
• Proven ability to develop and maintain influential and collaborative relationships at a variety of internal and external stakeholders and partners
• Capacity to listen carefully to input from colleagues and stakeholders; possession of strong consensus-building and facilitation skills to achieve successful project outcomes
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including the ability to translate business needs into systems requirements, process improvements, and policy
• Evidence of self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and with teams, with high personal standards representative of Princeton University's commitment to excellence

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with audit, compliance, fraud detection, and/or information security best practices
• Familiarity with Peoplesoft Financial Management or other ERP suites
• Experience in a Higher Education environment
• Experience with master data management solutions and methodologies

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

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