Associate Director, Procurement Operations

Associate Director, Procurement Operations

Location: US-NJ-Princeton

Job ID: 2024-19975

Type: Full-Time

# of Openings: 1

Category: Financial Services and Procurement

Overview

The Associate Director, Procurement Operations reports to the Executive Director, Facilities Budget, Procurement & Analysis (FBPA), who is a direct report to the Assistant Vice President, Facilities Finance and Administrative Services. The Associate Director leads a team of eight (8) and has 2 direct reports. Reporting to this role is the Manager, Materials Management, and the Contract Manager for Procurement. The Associate Director promotes a high degree of professionalism in source-to-pay procurement activities, minimizing risks to Facilities and the University while meeting procurement objectives, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures, and maintaining the highest integrity in all contracting, purchasing, and payment activities.

The Facilities Budget, Procurement and Analysis team (FBPA) partners with key Facilities and University stakeholders to understand and align business strategy, market dynamics, and supplier capabilities in the execution of procurement strategies and stewardship of campus resources. The Associate Director also provides leadership in the areas of inventory/materials management, procurement, and procurement technology systems administration and reporting.

As a Facilities' subject matter expert and authority on both materials/inventory management and procurement-related processes, the Associate Director is responsible for driving continuous improvement and transformation efforts across all shared processes including expanded stockroom oversight and support to all Facilities Operations departments, purchasing and category management for Facilities, expanding eProcurement capabilities, supporting the University’s supplier diversity initiatives, establishing standard analytics and reporting packages, and driving efficiencies to support Facilities’ partners. The position also plays a leadership role in the development of effective and efficient procurement and spend management practices for all other purchases within Facilities.

FFAS is embedded within Facilities and is responsible for providing shared services to all Facilities partners as well as the broader University community.

Responsibilities

Procurement Operations and Inventory/Materials Management Function Oversight

• In partnership with the Executive Directors of FCFP and Facilities Budget Procurement & Analysis (FBPA) and the AVP of FFAS, provides leadership across Facilities departments on procurement best practices and seeks collaborative solutions to common challenges.
• Establishes a high-quality service-oriented approach to save Facilities partners time and effort with inventory/materials management and procurement needs.
• Builds effective relationships internally with business partners; ensures robust communication between FBPA and its partners; maintains regular communication with the Facilities community on inventory/materials management and procurement issues both in writing and in person.
• Ensures the effective training and transfer of knowledge and capabilities to partners.
• Develops and implements metrics that measure the performance of the department against University goals and benchmark it in a meaningful way with peer institutions.
• Ensures that systems are highly usable for the Facilities’ community and are implemented in a way that supports efficiency and aligns with strategy.
• Establishes clear processes and tools for contract authoring and document retention.
• Streamlines the procurement process/lifecycle to ensure greater compliance, adoption, and faster cycle times.
• Keeps abreast of industry/university best practices and trends in purchasing, payment, and related areas to initiate appropriate innovations.
• Develops an analytically focused team and effectively uses spend management tools and data to inform strategies.

Team Leadership & Development

• Manages, leads, and inspires the FBPA Materials Management & Procurement team of eight (8) with two (2) direct reports; responsibilities include mentoring, goal setting, and monitoring.
• Works with the Executive Director FBPA to develop business plans, goals, and objectives, to implement short- and long-term operational strategies.
• Ensures compliance with both University and Facilities policies.

Strategic Planning

• In partnership with the Executive Director, FBPA, provides leadership and strategic direction for operational category management and related services.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with strategic partners across campus.

This position has a significant level of purchasing and payment authority and is authorized to sign contracts up to $100,000 on behalf of the University. Unquestionable integrity and responsibility are required. This position is also responsible for compliance with internal and external policies and regulations and responds to audits and other compliance activities.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, finance, operations, business, or relevant discipline.
• 7-10 years’ experience in procurement, contract administration, operation, or other relevant supply chain management or business position.
• Experienced leader fluent in multiple disciplines and comfortable leading a shared service team with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience procuring design, construction, and related services.
• Ability to articulate a clear vision for the organization and execute on strategy.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to lead change in a consensus-driven environment.
• Success in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives.
• Superior analytical ability to quickly gather facts and draw conclusions.
• Strong conceptual thinking skills with the ability to lead others through ambiguous and/or complex issues.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Dedication to outstanding customer service.
• In-depth knowledge of sourcing and procurement principles/best practices.
• Extensive experience drafting contract language and/or procurement policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Strong commitment to maintaining the highest levels of integrity.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications

• CPM or CPSM certification.
• Experience with eProcurement tools.
• Experience with different types of construction contracts.
• Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining operating policies in a large and diverse organization.

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.