PROCUREMENT DIRECTOR (INST)

PROCUREMENT DIRECTOR (INST)

Position Number:

Introduction (Description of School/College/Dept/Program)
Employees at UWM in the Department of Business and Financial Services work in an innovative, collaborative, and casual-work environment with flexible work/life balance schedules. If you are a motivated, results-oriented individual who wants to make a real difference with our team, community, and the campus, we encourage you to apply!

Job Summary
The Director of Procurement is responsible for all phases of the University’s procurement process for goods and services with annual outlays of approximately $120 million. The Director provides leadership and strategic planning to meet the needs of UWM for strategic sourcing, category management, purchasing operations, card solutions, and accounts payable, ensuring compliance with all University of Wisconsin and State policies, procedures, and regulations.In this role, the Director leads institutional efforts to introduce new procurement, operational and customer service strategies, techniques, technologies, and workflows to the procurement and accounts payable process in order to minimize costs and improve services to the University community. The Director also leads or participates in the final negotiation of University contracts for goods and services, resolves bid and contract disputes in consultation with other University departments and with UW and/or government entities as appropriate, and maintains compliance required under applicable laws, regulations, and University policy.

Specific job responsibilities include:Operational Leadership - Procurement (purchasing and accounts payable)

• Plan, develop and implement policies, procedures, and systems on campus in order to ethically, efficiently and cost-effectively acquire the lowest price goods and services to meet or exceed the requirements of UWM departments.
• Evaluate, negotiate, and manage the most complex or strategically important supplier and vendor relationships to secure terms that are in UWM’s best interest.
• Through the use of best procurement processes and in collaboration with schools and departments, develop strategies for acquiring goods and services that meet defined specifications at the lowest possible cost.
• Develop ongoing working relationships and communications with internal UWM constituents while educating them on new and existing policies, procedures, and procurement operations.
• Develop ongoing working relationships and communications with vendors while educating them on new and existing policies and procedures; respond to vendor concerns in an ethical, timely, and professional manner; ensure the avoidance of actual, or the appearance of, conflicts of interest during the purchasing process.

Procurement Strategy and Operations

• Identify, evaluate, and capitalize on opportunities to reduce purchasing costs by improving UWM’s buying patterns and supply channels.
• Introduce new technologies and workflow processes that serve to meet compliance requirements, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the procurement process, and fulfill the needs of schools, colleges, and departments.
• Evaluate policies and procedures from Federal, State and UW System offices to determine appropriate UWM responses; establish accountability on campus for compliance with Federal, State and UW System policies
• Analyze, monitor and review metrics, standards and best business practices to identify the need for changes to procedures, organization, and workflow.
• Analyze, monitor and review purchasing data and transactions to identify trends in procurement and the need to implement changes or take advantage of changing conditions.
• Regularly solicit and invite information and advice from internal constituents at UWM for the purpose of improving customer service and operational processes

Team Leadership

• Manage the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the operations of the procurement and account payable staff, including the design of an organizational structure adequate for achieving the department’s goals and objectives.
• Leverage the strengths of current team members, help to clarify roles and responsibilities, and develop and implement training programs to maximize and reach optimal individual and organizational goals.
• Provide leadership and consistent communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; create and promote a positive, inclusive and supportive work environment.
• Complete core operational requirements as well as key initiatives through active management, following up on work results, and directing personnel.
• Support the procurement function by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees.
• Ensure optimal procurement and account payable staff job results by coaching, counseling, and planning, monitoring, and appraising job results.

Hybrid work options may be available. Work will be performed primarily on the UW-Milwaukee campus, with requests for remote work considered after the initial training period. Specifics regarding work location requirements will be discussed during the interview process.
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in any field by date of hire
• 5+ years of procurement experience
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing a team of financial professionals

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related discipline by date of hire
• Relevant industry certification such as, Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Public Professional Buyer (CPPB) or Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) is preferred
• Leadership experience in leading procurement and accounts payable teams through key initiatives in large organizations (greater than $100M)
• Experience with complex SaaS or enterprise based financial management and procurement platforms
• Procurement experience in higher education or large organizations (greater than $100M)

Application Instructions
Interested applicants are required to apply online and provide:

• Cover letter addressing your education/experience as it applies to all minimum and preferred qualifications
• Resume AND
• Document listing the names and contact information for three professional references

In instances where the Search and Screen Committee is unable to ascertain from a candidate’s application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they will be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications.

Apply electronically at: https://jobs.uwm.edu/postings/39347by the application deadline date of October 13th, 2024. Questions about this position should be directed to Chad Hietpas at hietpacj@uwm.edu.
Application Notes
For this position, applicants are required to apply online. UWM will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications. Additionally, applicants must complete all required fields and attach any required documents. The process is complete when the message “Your application has been submitted” is displayed and you receive a confirmation number.
Legal Notices AA/EO Statement

UWM is an AA/EO employer: All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, or protected veteran status.




Reasonable Accommodations

UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact uwm-jobs@uwm.edu or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.




Confidentiality of Applicant Materials

UWM is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWM will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.




CBC and Reference Check Policy

Employment will require a criminal background check. UWM takes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.




Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the UWM Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM’s Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at (414) 229-4632 for a paper copy.




Employment Authorization

In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
To apply, please visit: https://jobs.uwm.edu/postings/39347




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