Associate Director (Hybrid) - Procurement Contracting and Payment Services

Procurement, Contracting and Payment Services at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Associate Director.

About the Opportunity

As an Associate Director, you will manage a designated portfolio of categories/commodities. In this capacity you will:

• Be the principal sourcing process manager responsible for development of strategic sourcing category/commodity strategies that support WVU's strategic/ financial objectives, leading execution against those strategies, and ensuring that assigned staff properly manage commodities and support stakeholder/ supplier requests
• Once suppliers are selected, the Associate Director is accountable for ensuring that a supplier management program is developed and implemented
• Create and enforce procurement policies, procedures and guidelines
• Maintain strong, positive relationships with WVU leadership, key internal stakeholders, and suppliers
• Be responsible for managing and developing staff and providing day-to-day work planning, direction, monitoring, and ensuring accuracy and completeness of work products and services opportunities for development, coaching and mentoring, implementation of a comprehensive staff development process

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays ( staff holiday calendar )
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits (this position is a benefits-eligible non-classified staff position)
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information ? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

What you'll do:

• Lead sourcing efforts beginning with spend analysis through contract execution
• Identify and lead sourcing and procurement process improvement efforts
• Correctly apply Strategic Sourcing best practice processes
• Assess opportunities, set and execute category/ commodity strategies (IT/Marketing and Print)
• Independently prepare/present business case, cost/benefit and benefit realization analyses to executive-level management
• Identify sourcing team resources and independently plan, launch, and project manage sourcing teams with buyers/ stakeholders
• Analyze documents and present complex category and commodity operational/financial data to stakeholders/executives
• Write and edit commercial documents (RFPs, RFQs, Contracts, Terms & Conditions, etc.)
• Coordinate and lead legal review/approval process for procurement/sourcing contracts and agreements
• Develop negotiation strategies and leads negotiations for complex categories/ commodities. Develops negotiation strategies, trains buyers on negotiation strategies, and leads negotiations to obtain most favorable terms with suppliers
• Develop and document negotiation policies and procedures
• Develop and assist others on negotiation strategy and execution
• Widely considered as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for negotiations in company
• Lead supplier evaluation and selection process
• Develop and deploy executive-level communications and lead large-scale change efforts. Develop/ communicate effectively with key stakeholders and senior management
• Review and approve supplier management program strategies for categories/ commodities managed by direct team
• Plan/ facilitate supplier performance reviews
• Write and manage Service Level Agreements with large, strategic suppliers
• Audit contract pricing and address unfavorable variances
• Identify and lead process/ continuous improvement efforts
• Monitor and measure supplier performance and compliance; identify and recommend ways to resolve performance issues
• Manage contracts with selected suppliers
• Lead Procurement & Sourcing integration efforts in instances of M&A
• Use appropriate technology tools to continually measure savings, performance and internal levels of service
• Routinely and effectively works with senior/ executive level staff to resolve procurement issues
• Lead and encourage cross-department collaboration through sourcing and supplier management teams
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings to assess needs and identify issues
• Recognize, document and accurately resolve sourcing and procurement related operational issues (invoice allocation, vendor payment issues, etc.)
• Solicit feedback and incorporate improvements to category, supplier management programs
• Identify and implement operational process improvements and cost savings by working with stakeholders and suppliers to understand key value and cost drivers of relevant operations and categories
• Use deep understanding of supply market or ability to analyze supply market including raw material trends and cost drivers;
• Build/maintain positive business relationships with category/commodity stakeholders and routinely works with mid and upper level WVU management
• Consistently apply critical thinking skills to develop points of view and make recommendations to improve sourcing and procurement practices
• Manage assigned staff by setting expectations, assessing performance, and ensuring that day-to-day operations and assigned tasks are completed on time and with high level of quality and accuracy
• Identify candidates, conduct structured interviews, document results and make thoughtful, justifiable hiring decisions
• Conduct effective interviews with Executives, Senior Management as well as new hires Consistently demonstrates ability to motivate staff to achieve positive results
• Actively participate in and supports departmental employee development program
• Structure, write and speak to support, defend or challenge a business decision or issue and questions I challenges in a respectful manner
• Structure, prepare and present compelling, insightful presentations to all levels of the organization - ability to tailor message to the audience
• Understand and employ team-based cross-BU sourcing / project management strategies
• Lead performance management process
• Oversee / participate in strategic planning (potential projects, process, procedural, policy changes, team directives & initiatives)
• Provide guidance and input to staff around bow to conduct benchmarking research, pricing analysis, spend analysis, and cost / benefit analysis and benefits realization documents

Qualifications :

• Bachelor's degree required. MBA is preferred.
• Six (6) years demonstrated record of results in procurement, supply chain or related field of expertise experience
• Five (5) years supervisory experience in procurement, supply chain or related field of expertise
• Demonstrated knowledge of category strategy development, and strategic sourcing
• Specific category expertise in relevant spend areas, such as IT, Consulting, Print, Construction, Facilities Management
• Understands, adheres to, and ensures correct application of company's supplier diversity program requirements
• Understands and applies total cost of ownership (TCO) principles
• Can apply knowledge of demand management and use appropriately within WVU operations (e.g., inventory management and order timing)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Understands and applies commercial law concepts, contracts and terms & conditions
  

• ISM or similar professional certification is preferred

At West Virginia University, we pride ourselves on a tireless endeavor for achievement. We are home to some of the most passionate, innovative minds in the country who push their limits for the sake of progress, constantly moving the world forward. Our students, faculty and staff make this institution one of the best out there, and we are proud to stand as one voice, one university, one WVU. Find out more about your opportunities as a Mountaineer at https://talentandculture.wvu.edu/ .

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.