Senior Manager of Procurement

Art and Wellness Enterprises•Bentonville, AR

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Manager of Procurement leads procurement and contracting activities for Art and Wellness Enterprises (AWE) and its portfolio of supported organizations across healthcare, arts, education, and philanthropy. This role establishes enterprise-wide procurement processes, leads strategic sourcing initiatives, and oversees the full lifecycle of procurement and contracts to ensure consistency, compliance, and value across the ecosystem. Key responsibilities include sourcing strategy, market analysis, proposal evaluation, contract negotiation and administration, vendor management, and cost optimization. The Senior Manager partners closely with Finance, Legal, IT, Campus Management, and entity leadership to align procurement activities with financial controls, governance requirements, and operational priorities, while providing both strategic leadership and hands-on execution. Success in this role requires strong judgment, analytical capability, and the ability to balance strategic priorities with operational execution. The Senior Manager builds effective relationships across a distributed ecosystem, leads and develops the procurement team, and continuously improves procurement practices to support AWE’s mission and long-term objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, supply chain management, logistics, finance, accounting, operations, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
7-9+ years of progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, contract management, supply chain, or related functions, with demonstrated growth in responsibility and scope.
Proven experience leading enterprise-wide procurement and contracting activities, including sourcing strategy, RFP/RFI development and evaluation, supplier selection, negotiation of competitive and sole-source procurements, contract execution, and full lifecycle management of procurement and contracts.
Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in complex, multi-entity or matrixed environments, including shared services or distribution procurement models.
Strong working knowledge of contract law, procurement best practices, vendor risk management, and compliance requirements, including federal grant procurement under Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and other applicable regulatory considerations at the local, state, and federal levels.
Experience partnering closely with Finance, Legal, IT, and senior leadership to support organizational priorities, manage risk, and ensure alignment with financial and governance frameworks.
Ability to provide hands-on leadership and execution in a lean department, including direct involvement in complex, high-risk, or high-value procurements and negotiations.
Demonstrated success identifying and implementing cost savings, value creation, and process improvement opportunities through data-driven analysis and market insight.
Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to assess vendor proposals, total cost of ownership, and procurement performance metrics to inform decision making.
Proficiency with ERP and procurement systems; experience with Workday Spend Management and contract management platforms (e.g., Evisort) preferred.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, with advanced Excel skills; experience with reporting, dashboards, and data visualization tools preferred.
Demonstrated leadership capability, including direct supervision and development of team members, as well as functional leadership across a broader ecosystem.
Exceptional communication (verbal, written, presentation) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and lead cross-functional teams.
Excellent decision-making and critical thinking skills in a fast-paced, innovative environment where change is constant.
Proven ability to manage competing priorities in high-pressure environments, orchestrate multiple activities, and coordinate across diverse teams for optimal efficiency.
Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills, with sound judgment and the ability to navigate sensitive situations with professionalism.
High level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential and organizational information.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or similar certification preferred.
Experience in startups, healthcare, higher education, museum/cultural institutions, philanthropy, or similar environments is strongly preferred.
Proficiency with ERP and procurement systems; experience with Workday Spend Management and contract management platforms (e.g., Evisort) preferred.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, with advanced Excel skills; experience with reporting, dashboards, and data visualization tools preferred.

Responsibilities

Procurement Operations and Contract Management Develop, implement, and maintain enterprise-wide procurement policies, processes, and procedures that support consistency, compliance, efficiency, and risk management across all AWE-supported entities.
Provide hands-on leadership and oversight of day-to-day procurement and contract administration activities, including managing the full lifecycle of procurement and contracts from planning through execution, monitoring, amendment, and closeout.
Lead the drafting, negotiation, execution, and administration of contracts for information technology, professional and consulting services, maintenance services, materials, equipment, and real property, including purchase and lease agreements.
Exercise sound judgment in selecting appropriate contracting methods, sourcing strategies, negotiation approaches, and evaluation criteria to achieve best value and effective outcomes for both competitive and sole-source procurements.
Monitor active contracts to ensure vendor compliance with contractual terms and conditions, proactively identifying risks, performance issues, or the need for amendments or corrective action.
Serve as a trusted escalation point for complex procurements and negotiations, supporting execution as needed within the department’s lean structure.
Ensure procurement processes and contracts comply with applicable federal grant regulations, including documentation, competitive requirements, and allowable cost standards.
Strategic Sourcing and Cost Management Define and execute strategic sourcing and negotiation strategies aligned with organizational priorities, operational needs, and financial objectives.
Conduct market research, supplier analysis, and benchmarking to inform sourcing decisions, identify qualified vendors, and stay current on industry trends and best practices.
Evaluate procurement spend, pricing structures, and total cost of ownership to identify cost-reduction, value-creation, and efficiency opportunities.
Identify, evaluate, and cultivate relationships with reliable, high-performing vendors and suppliers, supporting long-term partnerships that deliver quality, service, and value.
Drive and protect the timely delivery of goods, services, and components to meet operational requirements, inventory needs, and cost targets.
Stakeholder Partnership Partner closely with Finance, Legal, IT, Facilities, and other internal stakeholders to align procurement activities with financial controls, governance requirements, and operational priorities.
Collaborate with leaders and teams across AWE-supported entities to ensure shared understanding and execution of procurement processes, contract terms, timelines, and expectations.
Provide guidance and consultation to stakeholders on procurement strategy, vendor selection, contracting approaches, and risk considerations.
Support distributed procurement activity across the ecosystem by providing functional leadership, coordination, and standards, even where purchasing activity occurs outside the central team.
Reporting and Continuous Improvement Track and report key procurement metrics related to cost savings, contract performance, vendor effectiveness, compliance, and operational efficiency.
Use data and reporting insights to recommend improvements in procurement processes, sourcing strategies, and vendor management practices.
Maintain accurate procurement records, contracts, and supporting documentation in designated ERP, procurement, and contract management systems.
Ensure procurement and contract records comply with federal grant documentation and audit requirements.
Support leadership reporting and analysis related to procurement activities, outcomes, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support evolving organizational needs.
Team Leadership Provide clear leadership and coordination across internal partners and external vendors to ensure effective daily operations and accountability to established KPIs and service standards.
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team, including decentralized buyer roles, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
Oversee the recruitment, onboarding, training, and supervision of department staff, ensuring team members are equipped to support organizational needs.
Monitor and manage team performance, addressing attendance, conduct, and productivity issues promptly and professionally.
Encourage employee engagement and morale through recognition and open communication practices.
Promote continuous improvement, professional development, and collaboration within the team to support organization priorities.