Assistant Director of Purchasing

Bowling Green State University • Main Campus (BG), OH

9d

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Purchasing provides operational leadership for University procurement and contracting activities. The position leads and oversees competitive sourcing, construction procurement, contract administration, category management, supplier performance, and procurement process improvement in compliance with University policy and applicable state law. Using market intelligence, data analysis, and negotiation expertise, the Assistant Director develops procurement strategies that achieve best value, manage risk, strengthen supplier and campus relationships, and improve the quality and efficiency of purchased goods and services.

The Assistant Director advises University stakeholders, exercises delegated contract-signature authority, recommends procurement strategies to the Director of Purchasing, supervises Procurement Specialists, and provides leadership and support to the Purchasing team. The position is responsible for category analysis and compliance with purchasing policy, oversees continuous improvement initiatives, and offers support and direction to other Purchasing team members when requested by the Director.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 4 years of experience in purchasing, supply chain, project management, or a related field of business.
• Knowledge of Ohio law and higher education procurement regulations.
• Strong administrative, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Experience writing specifications and preparing RFP documents.
• Experience drafting professional correspondence and working with spreadsheet and database applications.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in a team environment and align with key stakeholders and members of management.
• Demonstrated sound judgment, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to function well under time constraints and deadlines.
• Excellent negotiating skills.
• Understanding of procurement processes.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term; the University does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship.
• Experience must be fully documented on the official application.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the development and administration of requests for proposals, requests for quotations, invitations to bid, and other competitive purchasing processes in accordance with University policy and applicable state law.
• Advise University stakeholders on specifications, sourcing strategies, proposal evaluation, supplier selection, negotiation, and contract development to achieve best value and manage procurement risk.
• Oversee construction procurement, including bid-document preparation, coordination with architects and project managers, pre-bid meetings, public bid openings, award recommendations, pre-construction meetings, prevailing-wage reviews, and related compliance activities.
• Collaborate with the Office of General Counsel, the Office of the Ohio Attorney General, and other appropriate partners on complex, high-risk, or nonstandard agreements and procurement matters.
• Exercise delegated authority to sign designated lower-threshold contracts and forms, and escalate matters exceeding delegated authority or requiring legal review.
• Analyze purchasing, contract, supplier, and market data to evaluate category performance, policy compliance, sourcing opportunities, process improvements, and priorities for Procurement Specialists.
• Develop and recommend category and sourcing strategies based on market conditions, cost analysis, supplier capabilities, stakeholder requirements, and University operational and financial objectives.
• Negotiate contracts and commercial terms; manage key supplier relationships with campus partners; monitor supplier performance; and resolve issues to protect University interests and support effective outcomes.
• Direct central contract-management processes, maintain associated procedures, monitor expiring agreements and sourcing calendars, and coordinate timely renewal, rebid, amendment, or closeout decisions.
• Develop, maintain, and improve purchasing procedures, solicitation documents, contract templates, purchase-order terms, guidance materials, system processes, and testing protocols.
• Guide University personnel on purchasing requirements and provide consultation on procurement planning, contracting, policy compliance, and supplier-related matters.
• Support public-records requests and other compliance activities in coordination with the Office of General Counsel and relevant University offices.
• Supervise Procurement Specialists by establishing priorities, assigning and reviewing work, providing coaching and development, and promoting consistent, high-quality procurement practices.
• Represent the Purchasing department with suppliers, campus stakeholders, professional associations, and industry groups, and maintain alignment with the Director of Purchasing on procurement strategy, priorities, and operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager