Sourcing Specialist (Multiple Positions)

The University of Arizona•Tucson, AZ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sourcing Specialist plays a critical role in executing the university’s strategic sourcing roadmap. This role drives value and supports institutional goals through the development, negotiation, and administration of supplier contracts. They lead sourcing initiatives, manages the full contract lifecycle, develops and negotiates RFx events, and ensures contracts are aligned with stakeholder needs and university compliance standards. The Sourcing Specialist also addresses supplier performance issues and contractual non-compliance to protect the university’s interests. When you join the Finance & Budget organization, you become part of a smart, driven team that thrives on solving complex challenges. We align our business practices with the university’s priorities and cultivate talented teams who find purpose in creating simpler, more effective systems that drive institutional success. Our focus is clear: developing our people, transforming our work, and elevating our role. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
Strong knowledge of the full procurement lifecycle from planning to contract award.
Knowledge of strategic sourcing principles, complex procurement processes, and supplier evaluation practices.
Skill in negotiating supplier agreements and managing contracts to mitigate legal and financial risk.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work cross-functionally with varied stakeholders.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to use data to support sourcing and contracting decisions.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing business needs in a dynamic environment.
Skill in using sourcing, procurement, and contract management systems.
Knowledge of ethical procurement practices and commitment to compliance with university policies and applicable regulations.
Ability to develop sourcing strategies and translate them into effective operational plans and measurable outcomes.
Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and support team development and mentorship.
Ability to lead through change, adapt to evolving business needs, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
Experience with complex, high-value procurements in a large or public-sector environment.
Professional certifications preferred (e.g. CPSM, CPM, CPPB).
5 years of progressive procurement or sourcing experience.

Responsibilities

Lead sourcing activities for goods and services in accordance with university policies and procedures.
Develop, manage, and execute RFx events (RFPs, RFIs, RFQs), including drafting specifications, scoring criteria, and evaluation scorecards.
Facilitate supplier negotiations, contract awards, and final agreement execution.
Create long-term sourcing strategies aligned with university goals and stakeholder requirements.
Serve as the primary point of contact for sourcing events, including stakeholder collaboration, contract implementation, and vendor onboarding.
Interpret policy and ensure ethical, transparent sourcing decisions.
Identify and respond to changes in market conditions, legislation, or supplier performance that could impact the university.
Ensure fair supplier selection based on solicitation criteria and evaluation outcomes.
Manage high-value, complex sourcing events and contracts university-wide.
Support contract negotiations and initial supplier redline reviews across categories.
Develop and maintain a clause library and category-specific contract templates (e.g., SaaS, data privacy, research agreements).
Ensure consistency in contract amendments and clarity for stakeholders.
Address compliance-related inquiries and support adherence to university, legal, and regulatory requirements.
Oversee supplier performance to contractual obligations including cost, scope, service levels, and timelines.
Manage pre- and post-award contract activities and documentation.
Ensure accurate and timely processing of contracts within the contract management system.
Collaborate with stakeholders to resolve issues and ensure continuous improvement.
Identify opportunities for process optimization and innovation within sourcing workflows.
Maintain compliance with all applicable laws, policies, and ethical standards.
Contribute to cross-functional strategic projects and procurement initiatives.
Support program management for initiatives such as sourcing pipelines, cost containment, and spend analysis.
Align contract portfolio support with the university’s strategic sourcing roadmap.
Track and report on key sourcing and contracting milestones.
Participate in stakeholder and supplier engagement activities, including implementation plans, training, and onboarding.
Contribute to business case development and presentation as needed.
Share best practices and lessons learned with internal teams.
Support supplier eProcurement enablement and contract compliance metrics.
Perform other related duties as assigned.