Associate Director, Procurement
About The Position
The Associate Director, Procurement Services supports the Director of Procurement Services by leading departmental operations, overseeing procurement systems and data analytics, and coordinating sourcing workload and performance tracking. This role is responsible for ensuring operational consistency, driving process improvements, and serving as a key internal advisor to staff on sourcing tools, compliance, and procurement strategy. The Associate Director provides peer leadership across the procurement team, particularly in contract management, cost savings reporting, and supplier performance tracking, while helping to maintain a high level of service to campus stakeholders.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in procurement or business operations, with at least 3 years in higher education, the public sector, or a similarly complex organization.
- In-depth knowledge of procurement operations and sourcing processes
- Experience managing eProcurement systems (e.g., Jaggaer)
- Excellent planning, communication, and analytical abilities
- Skilled in coaching and supporting cross-functional teams
- Familiarity with contract lifecycle management, supplier performance monitoring, and cost savings strategies
- Strong organizational and documentation skills
Nice To Haves
- Master's Degree
Responsibilities
- Coordinate and oversee day-to-day procurement operations, requisition workflow, and departmental planning.
- Monitor and reallocate sourcing workloads in coordination with the Director and sourcing team.
- Review sourcing documentation (RFPs, scopes, evaluation tools) to ensure consistency and compliance
- Lead the department's use of Jaggaer, including Contracts+ module, system improvements, and end-user adoption
- Track and consolidate cost savings data across the procurement team for internal and external reporting.
- Facilitate supplier performance tracking, vendor scorecards, and issue escalation workflows.
- Serve as internal mentor to Strategic Sourcing Managers and support onboarding of new staff.
- Manage tactical commodities and operational categories (e.g., events, FedEx, printing).
- Develop and deliver campus training, procurement communications, and stakeholder education.
- Collaborate with FAST and IT teams to resolve system issues and enable process automation. Represent Procurement Services in cross-functional initiatives and serve as a delegate to the Director.
Benefits
- With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth.
- Rensselaer's Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Industry
Educational Services
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
