"Director of Purchasing and Contracts"

Job Description

Position Title: Director of Purchasing and ContractsJob Description: The Director of Purchasing and Contracts is a role that requires an attentive, detail-oriented, highly collaborative leader. Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President; the Director plays a critical role in the University's resource management in guiding purchasing activities and adherence to contracts. The Director will plan and direct the University's centralized purchasing functions involving the acquisition of materials, equipment, services, construction projects, including related contract documents.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Purchasing
• Procurement Auditor/Reimbursements

Essential Duties:

• Plan and direct the university-wide operation of the Purchasing Department.
• Prepare, review, and approve contract documents related to the purchase of goods and services, construction and remodeling projects, facility leases, lease purchase agreements, equipment and physical plant maintenance agreements to ensure compliance with state statues, state procurement regulations, and University policies and procedures. Confer with the University's general counsel on these matters as appropriate. Manage rebate programs and receipt of payments.
• Develop and interpret purchasing policies and procedures. Stay up to date and adhere to current legislation as it pertains to university purchasing.
• Prepare solicitations, in collaboration with end users, for the purchase of goods and services.
• Collaborate with the Budget Director, Accounting Services, Physical Plant, Technology Services, and Athletics Department on a regular and routine basis regarding recordkeeping, monthly close out processes, capital assets and projects, service agreements, and other financial matters.
• Supervise the processing of the purchase orders, purchase requisitions, and purchasing cards
• Research market sources, analyze activities, and prepare detailed financial reports regarding purchasing methods, including vendor selections, statewide contract and cooperative purchase participation, women and minority owned businesses, quantity discounts and other standard/best practices.
• Provide training to university departments on purchasing policies and contract management
• (Co)Lead project management meetings and activities for capital projects
• Support and participate in strategic planning initiatives and perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of workings of university structure, policies and procedures
• Knowledge of technology relevant to purchasing and procurement activities
• Expertise in current procurement practices
• Leadership, supervision, planning and organization skills including team building, strategic planning, and continuous quality improvement
• Effective communication skills; ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively
• Ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies across the University and the community
• Ability to operate independently and collaboratively with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders
• Strong time management skills; ability to handle multiple tasks with accuracy while adhering to tight deadlines
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Access, and Outlook) and Google Workspace tools.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, economics, finance, or other business-related field
• Two years of related experience in higher education or public entity environment
• Two years of experience with state procurement authority delegation and/or contract evaluation
• Or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or master's degree in accounting.
• Hold one of the following certifications: CPPO, CPPB, CPM, CPP, NIGP-CP, CPPM, or CGPP
• Completion of State of Missouri's Procurement Officer Prerequisite Training Verification
• Experience with Ellucian Banner experience
• Experience with Jaggaer Contracts+ contract management

Physical Demands

• Sedentary Work
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

FLSA ExemptAdditional Demands

• May require occasional travel and/or night and weekend work
• The above position description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.

Hours of Work M-F 8:00am - 4:30pm