Procurement Manager

University of Oklahoma•Norman, OK

About The Position

The Procurement Office at the University of Oklahoma is dedicated to helping the university meet its procurement and contracting needs through cost-effective practices and by leveraging buying power to develop strategic supplier relationships. Our expertise ensures that procurement decisions are made in the best interest of the University and in full compliance with applicable rules and regulations. We are seeking to hire three managers each overseeing a team of 3–8 procurement professionals responsible for acquiring goods and services across assigned commodity areas. Each manager provides direct leadership to both senior and entry-level specialists, ensuring procurement activities comply with university policies, state regulations, and best practices while supporting the institution’s operational and strategic goals. This role is accountable for the most complex and high-risk procurements within its portfolio—including contracts requiring Board of Regents approval—and serves as a subject matter expert on cooperative purchasing agreements. Procurement Managers also collaborate closely with the Strategic Sourcing team on major contract initiatives and lead efforts in procurement planning, process improvement, and continuous optimization within their assigned area.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree AND: 48 months of experience in procurement or contract administration. 12 months of supervisory experience.
Demonstrated experience with complex purchasing and contract review.
Strong leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
Strong knowledge of public procurement regulations and best practices.
Excellent negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Responsibilities

Supervise and support a team of procurement specialists within assigned commodity areas.
Manage the most complex and high-value procurements, including those requiring Board of Regents approval.
Review, red line, and negotiate complex contracts in collaboration with the Office of Legal Counsel and university stakeholders.
Serve as the subject matter expert on cooperative purchasing agreements relevant to assigned commodities.
Liaise with the Strategic Sourcing team to align procurement activities with broader contract initiatives.
Ensure compliance with university procurement policies, state laws, and applicable regulations.
Provide training, mentorship, and performance feedback to procurement staff.
Develop and implement procurement strategies that support efficiency and cost savings, and risk mitigation.
Maintain accurate records and ensure proper documentation of procurement activities and contracts.
Represent the Procurement Services department in meetings with university departments and external partners.