Senior Executive Director, Purchasing

Houston Independent School District•Houston, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Executive Director of Purchasing provides strategic leadership and executive oversight of the district’s centralized procurement function. This role is responsible for driving best-in-class purchasing practices, ensuring regulatory compliance, maximizing fiscal stewardship, and delivering high-value procurement solutions that support the district’s instructional and operational priorities. This leader will oversee sourcing strategy, contract management, supplier performance, and procurement operations while fostering innovation, transparency, and equity in all purchasing activities. The position requires deep expertise in public procurement, strong financial and analytical acumen, and the ability to influence executive stakeholders and system-wide decision-making.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree
5 to 7 years of work experience
Proficiency in Oracle, SAP, and Microsoft Office software
Deep knowledge of public procurement laws, regulations, and best practices
Expertise in strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, and supplier management
Strong financial and analytical skills, including spend analysis and cost modeling
Proven ability to lead large, complex procurement operations
Exceptional leadership, organizational, and change management skills
Strong communication and executive presence
Ability to influence stakeholders and drive cross-functional alignment
High level of integrity, ethics, and accountability
Proficiency in procurement systems and ERP platforms

Responsibilities

Establish and execute a comprehensive district-wide procurement strategy aligned with organizational goals and financial priorities.
Serve as the advisor to executive leadership on all purchasing and procurement-related matters.
Lead transformation efforts to modernize procurement practices, systems, and policies to improve efficiency and transparency.
Oversee all purchasing operations, including requisition processing, sourcing, bidding, evaluation, and contract awards.
Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local procurement laws, board policies, and audit requirements.
Develop, implement, and maintain procurement policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure accountability and ethical practices.
Lead strategic sourcing initiatives to achieve cost savings, value optimization, and standardization across the district.
Oversee contract lifecycle management, including development, negotiation, execution, and performance monitoring.
Establish contract governance processes to ensure vendor accountability, service quality, and risk mitigation.
Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure high-quality goods and services and drive continuous improvement.
Implement vendor performance management systems, including key performance indicators (KPIs) and service-level expectations.
Analyze district-wide spend data to identify cost-saving opportunities, improve purchasing decisions, and drive efficiencies.
Partner with Finance and Budget teams to align procurement strategies with financial planning and resource allocation.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand procurement needs and provide strategic sourcing guidance.
Deliver high-quality customer service by improving procurement responsiveness, communication, and support to departments.
Provide training and guidance to district staff on procurement processes, policies, and best practices.
Provide leadership and direction to the Purchasing department, including talent development, performance management, and team effectiveness.
Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement within the procurement function.
Lead change management efforts related to procurement transformation and system enhancements.
Monitor and report on metrics and procurement outcomes to ensure equity and transparency.
Resolve complex vendor disputes and procurement issues while maintaining strong business relationships.
Identify and mitigate procurement-related risks, including contractual, financial, and operational exposures.
Other duties as assigned.