Strategic Procurement Specialist, Wharton Finance & Administration

University of Pennsylvania

38d•$76,000 - $100,000

About The Position

This position will lead and continuously improve strategic sourcing and category management initiatives that deliver measurable cost savings, mitigate operational risk, optimize supplier performance, and ensure alignment with University procurement strategies and evolving market trends. The Strategic Sourcing Specialist plays a critical role in advancing the School's procurement strategy by developing and executing strategic sourcing initiatives that deliver measurable cost savings, mitigate risk, and enhance supplier performance. This role leads category management efforts across key spend areas, applying market intelligence, benchmarking, and University-provided analytics to inform decision‑making and elevate procurement effectiveness. The Specialist is forward‑thinking, solutions‑oriented, and highly collaborative - working closely with stakeholders across the school and central procurement to streamline processes and support new contracting processes. In collaboration with the central Strategic Procurement team, this position also strengthens strategic supplier relationships to drive long‑term value creation and ensure that procurement activities align with University standards and evolving market best practices.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, supply chain, or a related field and 5-7 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, supply chain management, or related functions, ideally within a complex or decentralized organization, or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
Demonstrated expertise in category management, supplier relationship management, and leading sourcing initiatives that deliver measurable cost savings and operational improvements.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to conduct market analysis, benchmarking, and spend analytics, translating data into actionable recommendations.
Experience negotiating contracts across a wide range of categories, including the ability to manage change orders and SOW modifications.
Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence across departments and partner effectively with central procurement.

Responsibilities

Lead and continuously improve strategic sourcing and category management initiatives
Deliver measurable cost savings
Mitigate operational risk
Optimize supplier performance
Ensure alignment with University procurement strategies and evolving market trends
Develop and execute strategic sourcing initiatives
Lead category management efforts across key spend areas
Apply market intelligence, benchmarking, and University-provided analytics to inform decision‑making and elevate procurement effectiveness
Streamline processes and support new contracting processes
Strengthen strategic supplier relationships to drive long‑term value creation
Ensure that procurement activities align with University standards and evolving market best practices

Benefits

Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.