VCU Procurement Services has an exciting opportunity for a Category Manager!
VCU combines learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with a commitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 “most innovative” public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs. Here your success is supported, and your career can thrive. VCU offers a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay and mission-driven work. To explore our benefits further, please visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and-academic-professional-benefits/. We advance a conscientious drive to support a climate where excellence and success for all people are valued and differences are celebrated. Together, we can be unstoppable.
VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will add your military years of service to our leave plan. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!
VCU recognizes that remote work and flexible work arrangements (FWAs) are an important part of employees' work/life balance and provide employees with the flexibility to be successful on and off of the VCU campus. This position is considered hybrid and the incumbent will be able to work remotely 3 days per week, if desired.
Typical Duties:

• Support the day-to-day administration of contracts for hospitality services, hotel accommodations, event planning, athletics equipment, and other related purchases for VCU Qatar and VCU Athletics.
• Requires participation in developing, reviewing, and editing Statements of Work; negotiating contract terms and conditions.
• Developing and administering various procurements, including Request for Proposals (RFP), Invitation for Bids (IFB), Sole Source, and Emergency procurements, as well as, developing reliable sources of supply for user departments, conducting market research, and reviewing requirements.
• Managing procurement and contracting actions to leverage university spend and drive down costs in accordance with University, state and/or grant-related procurement and contracting rules, policies, procedures, guidelines, and best practices.
• Acting as an agent of the University within delegated limits and modifying contracts.
• Identifying and assertively facilitating small, woman, and minority-owned business (SWaM) participation and sustainable procurement and contracting initiatives.
• Mentoring/coaching or supervising one or more buyers.
• Effectively interacting with user departments, producing proactive strategic procurement plans, and serving as procurement and contracting expert to assigned spend categories.
• Recommending enhancements to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness within the department.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Knowledge of progressive procurement methods, terminology, and principles.
• Knowledge of current market trends and sources for assigned categories of spend.
• Organizational skills to independently and effectively manage a large volume of complex assignments with minimal guidance.
• Ability to make effective decisions that resolve complicated issues.
• Strong ability to effectively use technology.
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Progressive procurement, strategic sourcing, and/or contracting experience.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member of VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Hospitality Management, Sports Management, or related related disciplines/training.
• Several years of procurement experience (preferably public - e.g., CUPO, CPPO, etc.) or equivalent experience/training (e.g., Supply Chain Management and Analytics)
• Knowledge of electronic purchasing applications for requisition and Purchase Order processing (e.g., Jaggaer).
• Advanced level negotiating skills:
  
  • Pricing
  • Terms and conditions
  • Early Payment Discounts and other payment terms
  • Payment Methods
  • Rebates
  • etc.
• Skilled in delivering high-quality services assuring customer satisfaction within a hospitality and athletics community.
• Strong spend analytic experience.