"Procurement Data Solutions Specialist"

Overview

Reporting to the Procurement Operations Business Analytics Leader, this position will support the implementation of technologies for advanced reporting of Procurement activities -- most notably through the Jaggaer platform.
This position will work to introduce analysis initiatives that generate insights on transaction volumes university-wide and process metrics across Procurement (encompassing Sourcing/Purchasing, Accounts Payable, Contracts, and eCommerce) to inform procurement strategy, enhance user experience and support institutional change management efforts through the following:

1. Jaggaer System Implementation and Support -- serving as a key contributor in the rollout and optimization of the Jaggaer eProcurement system. Collaborating with internal stakeholders and Jaggaer support team to configure, test and deploy system modules in alignment with institutional needs. Tracking platform adoption and performance metrics, and collecting user feedback to guide improvements and training efforts -- and monitoring platform updates and best practices in higher education procurement systems.
2. Cross-system Data Integration and Business Analytics: Integrate and analyze procurement related data from Jaggaer and other university systems e.g., ERP, finance, grants management, supplier databases, specialized finance systems (facilities, library, hospitality) to develop dashboards/reports for strategic decision making and track KPIs - including spend analysis, supplier performance tracking and service delivery effectiveness. Collaborate with IT, Finance and Institutional Research Teams to ensure data accuracy, system reliability and meaningful reporting outcomes.
3. Process improvement: Assess procurement workflows across university business units to identify inefficiencies, gaps and opportunities for standardization and savings. Recommend and implement business process changes that enhance automation, reduce cycle times and improve user satisfaction. Partner with stakeholders to ensure procurement processes align with university policy, compliance requirements and system capabilities.
4. Change Management & Stakeholder Engagement: Support change management initiatives by translating data insights into clear narratives for decision makers and end-users. Lead or contribute to training sessions, users forums and communication efforts to promote new processes and tools. Collaborate with academic and administrative leaders to ensure procurement solutions are responsive to the university’s evolving needs. Promote a culture of continuous improvement and data-informed decision making within the procurement function.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Proficiency in data compilation and data visualization techniques and tools (e.g., Alteryx, PowerBI, Tableau).
2. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to adapt communication style to address the needs of individuals at all levels and explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
3. Strong analytical skills and well-developed problem-solving skills.
4. Exceptionally organized, with the demonstrated ability to plan, track, and follow through to meet ambitious deadlines; meticulous and thorough.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. An inquisitive mindset -- able to observe current practices, identify issues/opportunities and propose solutions.
2. Demonstrated ability to use data and user feedback to diagnose root causes, prioritize opportunities, and evaluate results, exercising sound judgment to deliver strong outcomes.
3. Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and apply new technologies, tools, and concepts (including those related to Natural Language Processing (NLP), Machine Learning (ML) and prompt engineering). Adaptive as priorities evolve.

Preferred Education and Experience

1. Experience in a financial, audit, or business operations environment -- particularly higher education or complex, decentralized organizations.
2. Experience with programming languages (Python, Visual Basic) and data querying languages. Experience in using code-based automation and data blending techniques.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Creates a relational database from existing study data currently stored in multiple data sources. Designs comprehensive and relational databases with advance knowledge of relevant applications impacting on the data analyses and reporting.
2. Develops and documents operational procedures for the collection, editing, verification and management of study data. Documents all study data files, data structure and relationships, variable definitions and data codes. Writes detailed specifications for analysis files and performs consistency checks.
3. Develops and implements relevant statistical programs to incorporate data from multiple studies/projects.
4. Organizes and creates documents and tables related to datasets; communicates with data sources about data accuracy and data dictionary.
5. Evaluates and analyzes data using accepted statistical techniques and statistical analysis software. Performs descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.
6. Uses advanced statistical knowledge to provide support in managing and analyzing data.
7. Designs and implements quality control measures to ensure accurate collection and processing of data. Ensures the integrity of databases used in analyses through development of essential data cleaning and checks, and data back-ups.
8. Responsible for the documentation and transmission of study data. Ensures that data are collected and completed in a timely manner at each site location.
9. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Master’s degree in statistics, computer science or a related field and two years of experience in data management and analysis or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with data collection and in coordinating efforts of multiple groups.