Senior Procurement Officer

Position Overview

The Senior Procurement Officer is responsible for strategic sourcing, supplier contracting, contract negotiation, and procurement compliance guidance for a wide range of units, including but not limited to Human Resources, Finance (Controllers Office, Risk, etc.), Marketing, Enrollment Management, Admissions, Ceremonies & Events, Transportation, and the Office of General Counsel. This position oversees strategic procurement for a variety of complex product and service categories, including but not limited to print services, accounting, auditing, banking, insurance brokerage, tax consulting, HR-related services, various types of consulting, marketing, student recruiting, transit, vehicle purchases, outside counsel, executive recruiting, and temporary labor.

This position ensures compliance with university policies, fosters supplier relationships, and drives cost-effective, value-added procurement strategies to support institutional goals. The ideal candidate will excel working in a fast-paced setting with shifting priorities and tight deadlines.

This position is available as a fully remote or hybrid position.

Due to complex state employment laws, the University of Kansas may be unable to hire fully remote workers for this position outside of Kansas. Specifically, we cannot currently offer employment to candidates residing in the following states:  California and Delaware. We appreciate your understanding and invite interested individuals from eligible states to apply.

Job Description

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Execution (40%)

• Develop, execute, and manage strategic sourcing initiatives that align with institutional objectives.
• Conduct market research and benchmarking to ensure competitive pricing and quality.
• Identify and implement cost-saving and value-added procurement strategies.
• Lead competitive bidding processes (RFPs, RFQs, etc.) and supplier evaluations.
  
  
  

Contract Negotiation & Supplier Management (30%)

• Negotiate complex contracts, ensuring favorable terms and risk mitigation.
• Develop and manage supplier relationships to enhance service levels and performance.
• Oversee contract lifecycle management, including renewals, compliance, and supplier performance reviews.
  
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement (20%)

• Serve as the primary procurement liaison for HR, Finance, Marketing, General Counsel, and other key departments.
• Work closely with university stakeholders to understand their procurement needs and provide solutions.
• Reduce silos by integrating procurement best practices across functional areas.
  
  
  

Compliance, Policy, & Process Improvement (10%)

• Ensure adherence to university procurement policies, state regulations, and industry best practices.
• Drive process improvements to enhance efficiency, transparency, and cost-effectiveness.
• Provide training and guidance to internal stakeholders on procurement policies and best practices.
  
  
  

Position Requirements

Occasional travel for in-person training and conferences roughly once per year <25% for regional procurement events in the Midwest, once/year, for a few days total. Plus, travel to/from KU-Lawrence Campus 1-2X/year for in-person training.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree and five (5) years OR a Bachelor’s degree and seven (7) years of related experience.
• Experience managing procurement for multiple complex service categories as evidenced in application materials.
• Strong negotiation skills with a proven track record of achieving cost savings and favorable contract terms as shown in application materials.
• Experience working independently and managing multiple projects simultaneously as shown in application materials.
• Experience where communication and relationship-building skills with cross-functional teams was required, as evidenced in application materials.
• Knowledge of procurement best practices, supplier contracting, and supplier management as demonstrated in application materials.
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, government, or public sector procurement environment as evidenced in application materials.
• Professional certification (e.g., CPSM, CPPO, PMP, or equivalent).
• Experience with enterprise procurement systems and contract management tools as shown in application materials.
  
  
  

Additional Candidate Instructions

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume.
• List of three (3) professional references.
  
  
  

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins Friday, April, 18, 2025 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.

Contact Information to Applicants

Ben Lizak

ben.lizak@ku.edu

(785) 864-0923

Advertised Salary Range

$ 90,000-110,000 commensurate with experience

Work Schedule

M-F 8a-5p

Application Review Begins

Friday April 18, 2025

Anticipated Start Date

Sunday April 27, 2025