Strategic Procurement Specialist, Wharton Finance & Administration

Job Description Summary

Wharton School Overview
Founded in 1881 as the world's first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With campuses in both Philadelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, a faculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year 13,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education's individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. Wharton is home to a dynamic community of staff, bringing a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

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.

Job Description

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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$76,000.00 - $100,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.