Director of Purchasing

Title

Purchasing Director

Purchasing

CFO

Staff-12 months

TBD

37.5 hours per week

Full‐Time

Exempt

Under general direction, develops policies, procedures, and objectives for the university’s purchasing program in accordance with state and federal procurement codes, guidelines, and university policy. Acts as procurement officer for the institution, planning, coordinating, and administering the operational, financial, administrative, and technical operations of the procurement process.

• Provide strategic direction for university‑wide procurement efforts; participate with university leadership in establishing, communicating, and implementing business goals and establishing targets for cost savings.
• Serve as a resource to all procurement teams regarding processes, procedures, and systems.
• Ensure that the needs of university constituents are met by coordinating contract negotiation, supplier communication, and process modification to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Negotiate contracts with large‑scale suppliers to gain appropriate savings and service levels, ensuring all legal contract requirements are met.
• Manage relationships with external contacts, removing obstacles to ensure optimal team performance.
• Ensure optimal customer service to all constituents, facilitating process changes as needed and participating in planning and implementation of strategic goals for the Procurement team.
• Communicate with all teams on the development and implementation of procurement and university‑wide communication efforts.
• Ensure procurement programs and processes operate smoothly, including training implementation and evaluation.
• Coach and mentor the team; create opportunities, promote empowerment concepts, communicate strategic issues, and resolve complex system or process issues.
• Monitor and communicate team goals and achievements regularly; keep purpose, goals, and approach relevant and meaningful.

• Knowledge of financial/business analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of the contracting process and associated local, state, federal, and other regulations.
• Ability to supervise and train employees, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, working effectively with diverse constituencies.
• Ability to identify and secure alternative funding/revenue sources.
• Ability to negotiate and manage contractual arrangements.
• Employee development and performance management skills.
• Skill in budget preparation and fiscal management.
• Knowledge of faculty and/or staff hiring procedures.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Ability to assess contract compliance and product/service quality.
• Knowledge of organizational structure, workflow, and operating procedures.
• Knowledge of contract law.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems.
• Skill in examining and re‑engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies.
• Ability to analyze purchasing requests/orders for compliance with institutional procedures and the state procurement code.
• Ability to prepare bids, requests for quotes, and proposals in compliance with university business policies and the state procurement code.

This position does have supervisory responsibility.

Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5 to 7 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

NA

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• No or very limited physical effort required.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University cannot sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa. Internal candidates are encouraged to apply.

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.