Assistant Director of Procurement Contracts and Acquisitions (INTERNAL)

The Alabama State University Chief of Staff's office invites applicants to apply for the position of Assistant Director of Procurement Contracts and Acquisitions. The selected candidate will support the efforts of Alabama State University's Contracts and Acquisitions Department to acquire goods, property and services. The selected candidate will support Procurement departmental goals and KPI's by mentoring, coaching and supporting procurement specialists, managing the requisition approval process for all critical high-level accounts, ensuring timely issuance of purchase orders required to support all campus activities, initiatives, educational requirements, technology and physical infrastructure in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The selected candidate will be responsible for proactively engaging with end-users to resolve requisition processing issues to avoid negative outcomes to the University. The Assistant Director of Procurement Contracts and Acquisitions will report directly to the AVP of Procurement & Supply Chain Operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead contract administration and acquisition activities cross-functionally, ensuring compliance with federal, state and University policies.
• Support the development and implementation of contract compliance policies and procedures to ensure sound fiscal management and compliance with the University Code of Ethics.
• Serve as procurement lead supporting full-cycle audits by providing related documentation for internal and/or external auditors.
• Authorized to make decisions in accordance with University policies, State and Federal laws.
• Develop and implement processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness, including the development of a contract management database.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance procurement work environment.
• Facilitate cross-functional meetings with internal customers to ensure alignment of critical issues.
• Assist with developing and reviewing current acquisition strategies.
• Serve as the main point of contact with end-users of non-bid contracts.
• Review contract terms and coordinate further reviews as necessary.
• Stay abreast of relevant procurement laws, regulations, policies, standards and procedures.
• Provide relevant monthly financial reports to executive leaders re: budgetary and spending trends.
• Supervise all procurement staff with the requisition to purchase order process.
• Support the development of comprehensive procurement training materials for ASU colleagues.
• Lead Procurement new member training for the requisition and purchase order process.
• Offer process training for new ASU employees or those new to the procurement process as needed
• Attend seminars, purchasing institutes, and regional meetings in association with the National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP), etc. when opportunities are available.
• Ensure end users and vendors are compliant with local, state, and federal regulations in all aspects of acquiring goods, services, and property.
• Utilize computer systems and software applications to access, create, edit, print, send, retrieve, or manipulate data, files or other information.
• Assist in preparing contract bid documents when needed.
• Assist with interviewing applicants for vacant positions when tasked.
• Promote customer service, courtesy, objectivity and fairness.
• Prepare correspondence, memoranda, reports and other documents as needed.
• Conduct regular discussions with end-users regarding any forthcoming major projects or requests.
• Responsible for meeting Procurement annual KPI's designated by the Procurement AVP.
• Always display professional etiquette and business acumen while representing the University.
• Complete projects or special tasks assigned by the AVP and provide timely feedback and perform other duties as assigned.

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field, and 5 -7 years of experience soliciting, coordinating, or sufficiently managing the acquisition of goods and services according to authoritative regulations and guidelines; excellent communication skills; work well as a team to supervise in the absence of the director; have working knowledge and understanding of applicable state and federal purchasing laws, regulations, policies, standards and procedures, and have data entry experience are required.