Manager of Strategic Purchasing

KIPP DC • Washington, DC

13d • $86,280 - $93,782 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager of Strategic Purchasing plays an important role in the KIPP DC finance team, ensuring compliance with internal and external procurement policies and procedures, managing the overall purchasing process for the entire network, and collaborating with a number of cross-functional teams to support their purchasing. The Manager of Strategic Purchasing also strategically sources and manages suppliers, ensuring KIPP DC obtains the best possible value and partnerships.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with at least 2 years of relevant experience in procurement of goods/services and supplier relationships
• OR a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience without a bachelor’s degree
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent time management skills and a detail- and results-oriented team player
• Demonstrated Excellence in the Following Areas:
• Commitment to Students and Schools: Demonstrates commitment to education reform, believing in every child's potential for success and prioritizing students, schools, and the essential role of families.
• Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving: Finds creative solutions to challenges that achieve broader goals of team and organization.
• Project Management: Sets a high bar for own work and supports others to achieve desired team outcomes.
• Communications and Influence: Demonstrates adept communication skills and influence to advance work by adjusting content and style.
• Teamwork: Contributes to a supportive team culture, fostering diverse work styles and maintaining a high performance standard.
• Trust and Collaboration: Establishes and nurtures effective relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders to support the best outcomes for our work.
• Cultural Humility: Advances KIPP DC’s commitment to anti-racism by creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all stakeholders.
• Continuous Learning: Commits to continuous learning through feedback, self reflection, humility, and action.

Nice To Haves

• A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in procurement of goods and services, contract management, and/or supplier relationships
• Federal grants procurement experience
• K-12 education and/or non-profit experience
• Procurement-related software experience, including creating and issuing purchase orders (experience with Workday a plus)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Responsibilities

• Procurement Operations, Compliance, and Training (60% of time)
• Serve as KIPP DC’s procurement policy and process expert to ensure internal and external compliance (PCSB, Uniform Guidance):
• Ensure timely reporting
• Manage the Request for Proposals (RFP) process which includes coordinating with different teams, providing guidance and technical support, and leading the execution of public-facing tasks to ensure organizational transparency and regulatory compliance.
• Review and consolidate internal Finance Committee memos for approval by the Board Finance Committee.
• Organize and manage systems to track all active procurement compliance activity
• Lead the federal grant procurement process which includes coordinating with other teams to collect documentation, reviewing reimbursement requests, and managing a tracking system of all active grant funded procurement activity.
• Assist with developing new and updating existing policies and procedures.
• Manage Workday’s procurement module and support end users:
• Lead the daily purchasing activities to ensure proper approvals, completeness, and compliance with established requirements and guidelines.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand purchasing needs, ensure policy adherence, and resolve procurement-related issues within Workday.
• Serve as the primary resource to schools and departments regarding all aspects of the purchasing process, including requisitions, contracts, and purchase orders.
• Manage and respond to assigned tickets in the internal customer service platform.
• Generate and analyze standard and ad-hoc reports from Workday to support procurement analysis and operational needs (e.g., open POs, spend by supplier).
• Train and support teams across KIPP DC regarding procurement policies, procedures, and systems, including:
• Design and lead RFP and grant procurement trainings including creating and updating resources.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to monitor requests, anticipate needs, and advise on procurement procedures and policies.
• Support with Workday training, resources, and best practices.
• Lead Finance & Accounting team trainings, programs, and other special events.
• Strategic Sourcing and Vendor Management (30% of time)
• Participate in and coordinate KIPP DC’s strategic sourcing strategy, including:
• Identify and execute on cost savings opportunities network wide through price and program evaluation and bulk/mass purchasing.
• Support cross-functional teams with supplier selection to ensure the supplier who can provide the best value to KIPP DC is selected.
• Negotiate and review contracts in collaboration with legal and internal stakeholders.
• Lead KIPP DC’s supplier management program:
• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with suppliers, fostering open communication and mutual understanding.
• Monitor supplier performance, identify areas of improvement, and drive accountability.
• Manage and update the KIPP DC preferred supplier database.
• Develop and implement strategies to expand KIPP DC’s engagement with minority and women-owned businesses in the purchasing process.
• Special Projects (10% of time)
• Lead special projects, as needed, that may include:
• Improving systems and processes network wide.
• Increasing efficiencies based on stakeholder feedback.
• Cost savings opportunities.

Benefits

• KIPP DC offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurances; various voluntary benefits; and employer paid benefits such as short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and a membership to One Medical.
• KIPP DC also offers a 403(b) retirement account with a 3% employer contribution and a 3% match with vesting after three years.

What This Job Offers

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