Assistant Director of Procurement - University of Southern Mississippi

Another Source•Hattiesburg, MS

10d•$80,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Southern Mississippi (Southern Miss) is seeking an experienced procurement professional to join its team as Assistant Director of Procurement & Contract Services in Hattiesburg. This leadership role offers the opportunity to oversee a four-person team while helping guide procurement, contracting, competitive solicitations, purchasing card administration, and process improvement across the University. With broad exposure to departments and locations throughout Southern Miss, this is an opportunity to combine hands-on procurement expertise with people leadership and meaningful institution-wide impact. The Assistant Director reports to the Director of Procurement and Contract Services and serves as an authorized purchasing agent for the University. This role involves influencing procurement processes, including formal solicitations, contract negotiations, purchasing card administration, process improvement, and customer education. The Assistant Director will lead a team of two Buyers, a Procurement Card Administrator, and a Procurement Card Specialist. The role requires regular interaction with departments to solve purchasing challenges, develop scopes of work, coordinate contracts, and enhance procurement efficiency while maintaining compliance.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; or eight years of experience involving the acquisition of equipment, supplies, commodities, or services, including contract review within a purchasing or procurement program; or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Ability to obtain Certified Mississippi Purchasing Agent (CMPA) certification within the first year of employment.
Knowledge of public procurement principles, practices, methods, competitive solicitations, and applicable purchasing requirements.
Experience with contract administration, including drafting, reviewing, interpreting, or negotiating contract terms, specifications, and scopes of work.
Ability to analyze procurement, financial, technical, and contractual information and exercise sound judgment on complex purchasing matters.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide clear guidance and training to internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple procurement activities, contracts, projects, and deadlines while maintaining accuracy and compliance.
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop staff and build productive relationships with departments, vendors, regulatory entities, and other stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
Eight years of professional-level experience in higher education or governmental procurement.
Extensive knowledge of State of Mississippi purchasing laws and experience with State purchasing systems.
Current Certified Mississippi Purchasing Agent (CMPA) certification.
Professional certification such as Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.), Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO), or another nationally recognized procurement or supply chain credential.

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate day-to-day procurement activities, including formal and informal purchasing, while supporting compliance with University, IHL, State of Mississippi, and other applicable requirements.
Supervise, coach, and develop procurement and purchasing card staff, establishing priorities and supporting professional development and required state purchasing certifications.
Evaluate complex and nonstandard purchasing requests, determine appropriate procurement methods, and review or recommend procurement and contract awards.
Lead formal solicitations and competitive procurement activities, including bids and RFPs, from specifications and advertisements through bid documentation, tabulations, vendor communications, and required approvals.
Review and help negotiate procurement contracts, develop scopes of work, investigate contract concerns, and partner with the Office of General Counsel when appropriate.
Coordinate the University's contract management process, including intake, review, negotiation, execution workflows, compliance monitoring, records management, and communication with departments.
Develop training and practical guidance that helps faculty and staff successfully navigate purchasing, contracting, and contract submission processes.
Help oversee the University's purchasing card program and identify opportunities to strengthen compliance, purchasing practices, and program utilization.
Serve as a procurement resource across the Hattiesburg campus, Gulf Park, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and other University locations, helping create consistent practices and responsive service.
Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, technology procedures, and operational efficiency.