Procurement Director

Procurement DirectorThe Procurement Director is responsible for directing and managing all procurement functions for the University. This position holds delegated procurement authority from the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) and the University of Wisconsin System Administration (UWSA). Additional responsibilities include administering institutional purchasing programs and managing the day-to-day operations of the procurement team. The Procurement Director reports to the Controller.This position represents the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (University) to the Wisconsin DOA, University of Wisconsin System Administration (UWSA), and vendors for procurement matters. The Procurement Director develops procedures related to competitive solicitations, negotiations, and other procurement activities and is responsible for evaluating and implementing operational changes to improve the effectiveness of the procurement function.The Procurement Director will need to develop knowledge of DOA policies and procedures, Wisconsin state statutes, the Wisconsin Administrative Code (WAC), the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), and federal regulations related to procurement. This position will also need to develop a strong understanding of policies and procedures established by the UW System Board of Regents, UWSA, and the University. Work is performed under general supervision, but it is expected that the Procurement Director will progress to independent work after gaining experience in the role.Directs strategic planning initiatives, identifies strategic sourcing opportunities, and establishes unit objectives to ensure appropriate use of financial, administrative, and staffing resources and alignment with the strategic plan.Develops, implements and monitors procurement programs to ensure alignment with strategic initiatives and institutional objectives.Oversees and directs coordination of institution level procurement actions with statewide contracting initiatives to ensure timely and cost effective supplies of materials and services.Leads development and strategic direction of supplier and contract management systems, sourcing tools, and procurement automation systems to meet the needs of institution and unit level purchasers.Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.Directs the negotiation, prioritization, and logistics of large scale procurement efforts across multiple functional areas.Serves as the unit liaison to internal and external stakeholder groups presenting organizational information, business cases, disseminating status updates, and representing the interests of the unit.Develops and monitors budget.A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or equivalent experience.Five years of experience with increasing responsibility in business operations, including accounting, finance, procurement, contracting, or a related area.Ability to communicate professionally and effectively in written and oral forms.Ability to effectively use the Microsoft Office suite.Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.Ability to handle time-sensitive and confidential information.Excellent organizational skills.Demonstrated ability to provide exceptional customer service.Ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse socioeconomic cultural and ethnic backgrounds.Ability to interact effectively with students, faculty, and staff, and work with the supervising staff at all levels to maintain an effective team.Three years of experience in procurement, including solicitation and bidding, vendor contracting, and supply management and analysis.Knowledge of and ability to interpret state and university purchasing rules, regulations, and procedures, including a thorough understanding of State of Wisconsin procurement guidelines and Chapter 16 and Chapter 36 requirements.Previous supervisory experience.Previous experience in higher education.Please provide Cover letter and resumeMark Haakenson mhaakenson@uwlax.eduPriority consideration is given to those candidates who apply by the listed 'First Review Date'. Applications received after that date may be considered at the discretion of the search committee. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or if you are not able to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact the Office of Human Resources. UWL is a state agency and subject to Wisconsin's Open Records Law. UWL will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin's Open Records law. All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.For the UWL Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see https://www.uwlax.edu/police/annual-security-report/ or contact the University Police Department at 608.785.9000.Your benefits add an additional 40%+ to the overall financial package from the university. Highlights include: paid vacation for 12-month positions, excellent flexible health insurance with low co-pays and good coverage, paid holidays and sick days, and after 5 years of employment, you become vested in our retirement system which ensures income post-career. Benefits at UWL are highly competitive with local industry and some of the strongest in state and nation. Benefit eligibility is determined at the point of hire. This information is provided for illustrative purposes only. Benefits are also pro-rated based on the appointment percentage.EEO Statement Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.