Procurement Transformation Manager (CEMI)

Cornell University • Ithaca, NY

4d • Remote

About The Position

Cornell University is seeking a Procurement Transformation Manager to modernize procurement operations across Cornell University and Weill Cornell Medicine through the Cornell Experience Modernization Initiative (CEMI). The role leads strategic initiatives to enhance supplier engagement, streamline procurement processes, and deliver value to the university community. It partners with leaders, stakeholders, suppliers, and technology providers to build a more efficient, data-driven, and user-centered procurement ecosystem.

This is a two-year term appointment that may be ended or extended based on organizational needs, funding availability, and performance. The position is based in Ithaca, New York, but may be performed remotely from anywhere in the United States. The role is part of the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, within Category Management & Contracts.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 7 years of progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, contracts management, procurement technology, or related business operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Experience leading procurement transformation, process improvement, systems implementation, or organizational change initiatives.
• Experience managing strategic supplier relationships and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Proven experience leading competitive sourcing events, including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, supplier evaluations, and negotiations.
• Experience developing, negotiating, and administering contracts in collaboration with legal, risk, compliance, and business stakeholders.
• Ability to influence outcomes and build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups without direct authority.
• Experience analyzing business processes and implementing solutions that improve operational efficiency, compliance, user experience, and organizational performance.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, execution, stakeholder engagement, risk management, and issue resolution.
• Outstanding verbal, written, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and operate independently in a highly decentralized and complex organizational environment.
• Proficiency with procurement systems, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• A cover letter and resume outlining interest and how experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success are required.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or progress toward an advanced degree.
• Familiarity with Cornell future-state procurement or ERP systems, such as Workday, Jaggaer, or Labviva.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, NAEP, or ISM.
• Familiarity and experience using data warehouse, data analytics, and reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex procurement modernization projects supporting CEMI and manage cross-functional initiatives involving stakeholders, suppliers, and technology providers.
• Develop project plans, implementation strategies, and communications plans; redesign business processes and drive continuous improvement.
• Monitor project risks, dependencies, timelines, and outcomes, and establish metrics to measure program success.
• Support modernization of eProcurement, intake and orchestration solutions, requisition-to-PO processes, and contract lifecycle management platforms.
• Lead supplier agreement harmonization across Cornell University and Weill Cornell Medicine.
• Manage and optimize Jaggaer ePro and related catalog solutions, and lead implementation and adoption of the Labviva marketplace platform.
• Develop supplier onboarding and enablement strategies; negotiate catalog pricing, service levels, and commercial terms.
• Drive adoption of AI-enabled purchasing and catalog search capabilities.
• Lead complex RFI, RFP, RFQ, and strategic sourcing initiatives, and develop category and sourcing strategies for high-value spend areas.
• Negotiate commercial, operational, and business terms and manage contract review and approval processes.
• Partner with General Counsel, Risk Management, Information Security, and business stakeholders to support contract execution.
• Build partnerships across the university and serve as a trusted advisor to departments, suppliers, and platform providers.
• Develop communication, training, and change management plans; facilitate workshops, governance meetings, and stakeholder engagement sessions.
• Resolve complex implementation issues, balance competing priorities, and build consensus among diverse stakeholder groups.
• Foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment through respectful, collaborative, inclusive conduct and support for work/life integration.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care options.
• Generous retirement contributions.
• Access to wellness programs.
• Employee discounts with local and national retail brands.
• Health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation, 13 holidays, and two floating holidays.
• Tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program.
• Tuition aid for external education.
• Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.

What This Job Offers

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