Manager, Procurement Sourcing, HR and Professional Services

University of Chicago • Hyde Park, IL

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About The Position

Under signature authorization for prescribed purchasing commitments, this role oversees and directly handles procurement activities, which includes handling business relations with key internal stakeholders across campus and suppliers by identifying and solving purchasing associated problems, with attention to University operations, policies and procedures, cost containment, and legal aspects of contract lifecycle management. Furthermore, the individual will develop supplier relationships that capture and leverage the University’s and its affiliates total expenditures with cost effective, innovative solutions. This position administers the sourcing activity in human resources (HR) and professional services to ensure procurement parameters are consistent and representative of federal guidelines, University policy, and ethical and responsible business practice.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or related field.
• Seven years of procurement or supply chain experience in a buyer, sourcing, contract administrator, or similar role.
• Indirect procurement category sourcing experience, preferably in HR and/or professional services.
• Demonstrated negotiation ability with experience in dealing directly with suppliers, consultants, manufacturers, distributors, and sales agents or representatives.
• Demonstrated customer service orientation in a support or service department.
• Background with supplier contract negotiations.
• Prior experience with an ERP system, preferably Oracle Fusion.
• Strong computer skills with competency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail, including the demonstrated ability to build consensus among a diverse stakeholder base.
• Proven ability to think strategically while planning, organizing, coordinating and directing multiple projects and activities with varied requirements and deadlines in support of a complex agenda.
• Excellent negotiation skills, evidenced by significant deliverables (cost savings, risk mitigation) resulting from completed negotiations.
• Enforce policies and procedures, and continuously focus on process improvement opportunities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with excellent financial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Leads HR and professional services procurement activities and serves as primary liaison with all contracted suppliers and primary procurement subject matter expert for the academic and nonacademic departments and divisions of the University.
• Drafts specifications and provides support as needed to internal clients in the formulation of bid specifications.
• Manages the full cycle request for quotations/proposal/information (RFQ/P/I) process and assists in the evaluation of supplier quotations/proposals and facilitates supplier selection and award recommendation.
• Develops, formats, composes, and/or reviews all agreements independently and/or under direction, including interface with cross-functional departments such as the Office of Legal Counsel and Risk Management for issue escalation as appropriate.
• Operates in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs), contract templates, and other procurement documents and training materials.
• Conducts negotiations with potential and existing suppliers.
• Manages, monitors, and modifies, as needed, the agreements and procurement aspects of assigned major contracts.
• Locates and defines needs and opportunities for new contracts.
• Identifies, assesses, and expands supplier pool.
• Participates in supplier development initiatives related to assigned commodity and socially responsible purchasing initiatives.
• Reviews contractor and supplier performance.
• Coordinates and communicates all non-performance issues to suppliers and ensures resolution through documented progressive action or termination of contract.
• Represents the Procurement and Payment Services unit in procurement-related meetings with other University departments.
• Ensures compliance with the management systems which support administrative and daily operations. This could include electronic databases, files, and contract repositories.
• Develops cost containment initiatives and provides continuous maintenance of processes and systems in support of procurement needs.
• Remains abreast of emerging industry trends and risks.
• Works independently with internal and external clients.
• Uses best practices and in-depth knowledge to review and monitor the goals and objectives of the Procurement and Payment Services department to ensure quarterly, and annual goals are achieved.
• Ensures contracts and sourcing projects are executed in a timely manner and in adherence to established service level agreements.
• Assists the category lead with developing and driving overall category strategy.
• Mentors the senior buyer with projects and initiatives and reviews their work as needed.
• Compelling and persuasive communicator, both oral and written, with excellent interpersonal skills to drive influence and negotiations.
• Effectively handles highly sensitive, and often highly confidential, University information using exemplary judgement, tact and diplomacy.
• Develop supplier relationships that capture and leverage the University’s and its affiliates total expenditures in regards to a specific service or commodity with cost effective, innovative solutions for identified audience.
• Remains abreast of emerging trends and risks.
• Performs final commitment action for procurements under standard procedures of the University.
• Is authorized to perform discretionary judgment decisions based upon pricing analysis up to established dollar threshold.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Benefits

• The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees