Direct of Spend Management

The University of Kansas Health System•Lenexa, KS

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Spend Management Planning and Operations is a strategic supply chain and business leader responsible for driving operational excellence, performance improvement, and long-term financial sustainability across the health system. This role leads key components of the Spend Management strategic plan and executes transformational initiatives that enhance supply chain performance at both departmental and enterprise levels. This role is critical to advancing Spend Management's technology and data strategy by overseeing operational and clinically integrated analytics, performance management, and planning functions while ensuring the successful implementation and integration of enterprise supply chain systems. This leader is accountable for delivering actionable insights through advanced data visualizations, dashboards, and AI-enabled capabilities, that drive decision making and measurable outcomes. The role also leads program and portfolio governance, ensuring strategic initiatives are prioritized, executed, and aligned with organizational goals. Partnering closely with financial, clinical, technical, and operational leaders, the Director works to operationalize key elements of the Spend Management strategy - driving cost optimization, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening clinical integration across shared technologies and workflows.

Requirements

Bachelors Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance or a related field of study from an accredited college or university.
8 or more years of progressive experience in supply chain, healthcare operations, analytics or a related field.
4 or more years of people leadership experience.
Advanced English.
Advanced knowledge of healthcare supply chain operations, including sourcing, procurement, inventory management, logistics, and procure to pay.
Understanding of clinical workflows and the integration of supply chain within patient care delivery (perioperative, procedural, and inpatient settings).
Familiarity with physician preference items, medical devices, and utilization drivers.
Knowledge of regulatory and accreditation requirements impacting supply chain (Joint Commission and CMS).
Strong understanding of healthcare financial structures, including cost accounting, budgeting, and margin impact.
Experience developing and evaluating business cases.
Knowledge of supply chain's impact on financial performance (expense per case, supply cost as a percent of net patient revenue).
Familiarity with data governance principles, data quality standards, and master data management.
Deep knowledge of supply chain systems including ERP, WMS, and EDI
Understanding of interoperability across clinical, financial, and operational applications.
Knowledge of emerging technologies (AI/ML, automation) and their application to supply chain.
Experience with system implementations, optimization, and lifecycle management.
Experience identifying inefficiencies and redesigning workflows for scalability and efficiency.
Experience leading through change in complex, matrixed healthcare environments.
Understanding of supply disruption risks, supplier dependency, and contingency planning.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Supply Chain or a related field of study from an accredited college or university.

Responsibilities

Lead and execute transformational initiatives aligned with organizational and Spend Management strategies.
Develop and maintain business and operational plans that support financial sustainability and performance improvement.
Translate strategic objectives into actionable roadmaps.
Contribute to the long-term vision for supply chain technology, data, analytics, and operations.
Ensure system interoperability across supply chain, clinical, and financial systems.
Oversee selection, implementation, integration, and optimization of supply chain platforms.
Lead digital transformation initiatives leveraging advanced technologies, including ML/AI.
Lead the enterprise-wide supply chain analytics program, including KPI development, dashboards, and reporting frameworks.
Deliver actionable insights to improve cost, utilization, quality, and operational outcomes.
Oversee integration of internal and external data sources to ensure accuracy, integrity, and real time visibility.
Develop predictive analytics frameworks to support sourcing, demand planning, and operational decision making.
Govern the Spend Management portfolio of initiatives, ensuring prioritization, alignment, and execution.
Establish and enforce program management standards, methodologies, and delivery discipline.
Lead enterprise Spend Management initiatives and ensure value realization against defined business cases.
Develop and validate business cases for strategic investments and initiatives.
Partner with Finance to ensure accurate financial reporting and cost optimization.
Drive initiatives that achieve measurable savings and operational efficiencies.
Establish data governance frameworks to ensure data quality, integrity, and compliance.
Drive continuous improvement through root-cause analysis, process optimization, and the adoption of best practices.
Establish advanced integrated workflows between supply and clinical systems.
Support and lead responses during crisis and cyber events.
Lead, coach, and develop high performing teams across analytics, systems, and technology functions.
Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Oversee workforce planning, performance management, and professional development.
Partner with cross functional teams to align supply chain technology with patient care priorities.
Build and maintain strong internal and external relationships across the health system and across all strategic external partners.
Ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements related to supply chain transparency and operational readiness.
Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.