Director of Purchasing

TITLE: Purchasing Director

DEPARTMENT: Purchasing

REPORTS TO: CFO

CLASSIFICATION: Staff-12 months

EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD

STANDARD WORK HOURS: 37.5 hours per week

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time 

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

JOB SUMMARY: 

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

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide strategic direction for university-wide procurement efforts; participate with university leadership in the establishment, communication and implementation of business goals. Establish business 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 the implementation of contract negotiation, communication with suppliers or modifying procedure to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Negotiate contracts with large-scale suppliers to gain appropriate savings and service levels. Ensure that all legal contract requirements are met for the university.
• Manage relationships with external contacts, including removing obstacles to ensure optimal team performance.  
• Ensure optimal customer service is provided to all constituents of the university; facilitate changes to process as needed; participate in the planning and implementation of strategic goals for the entire Procurement team.
• Communicate with all teams on the development and implementation of procurement and university- wide communication efforts.
• Ensure that Procurement programs and processes are operating smoothly including implementation of training, appropriate use and evaluation.
• Coach and mentor team; create opportunities for team members; promote concepts of empowerment. Communicate strategic issues/changes to team; build commitment and confidence. Resolve complex system or process issues; perform regular team duties.
• Monitor and communicate team goals and achievement of goals regularly; keep the purpose, goals and approach relevant and meaningful.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: 

• Knowledge of financial/business analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of contracting process and associated local, state, federal, and other regulations.
• Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of 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 and procedures.
• 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.  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: 

OTHER DUTIES: 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

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

Licensing and Certifications: NA

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• 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 is unable to 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.