Director Of IT Procurement

Director of Procurement, a senior leader who oversees an organization's purchasing strategies and activities to acquire goods and services efficiently and cost-effectively. The role requires strong strategic and analytical skills to manage supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, and drive cost-saving initiatives while ensuring quality and compliance.

Summary

The Director of Procurement provides strategic direction for all purchasing functions. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing procurement policies and procedures to maximize value, mitigate supply chain risk, and support the organization's financial and operational objectives. The director leads the procurement team, manages vendor relationships, and ensures compliance with company and regulatory standards.

Key responsibilities

Strategic leadership and planning

• Develop and execute an enterprise-wide procurement strategy that aligns with overall business goals and financial targets.
• Translate business plans into tactical procurement operations, including setting performance standards and departmental goals.
• Analyze market trends, cost drivers, and supplier capabilities to support strategic objectives.
• Identify and lead strategic sourcing initiatives to find cost-saving opportunities and drive value creation.

Supplier and contract management

• Oversee the sourcing and selection process for vendors and suppliers, including requests for proposals (RFPs) and requests for quotes (RFQs).
• Build, maintain, and expand strong relationships with key suppliers and vendors.
• Negotiate major contracts and agreements to secure favorable terms, pricing, and quality.
• Monitor supplier performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations, delivery schedules, and quality standards.

Operational oversight

• Manage the day-to-day procurement process, from requisition and purchase to delivery.
• Implement best-in-class procurement practices and continuously improve operational efficiency.
• Manage procurement budgets and financial forecasts, regularly reporting on metrics and spend analysis to senior leadership.
• Ensure that all procurement activities comply with internal policies, legal requirements, and industry regulations.

Team leadership and talent development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of procurement professionals, providing guidance and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Set key performance indicators (KPIs) for the team and oversee their progress.
• Communicate strategic changes and updates to the team, building commitment to company goals.

Requirements:

Qualifications and skills

Education and experience

• A bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field is preferred.
• Ideal candidates possess 5 to 10+ years of progressive experience in procurement, with several years in a leadership or managerial capacity.

Required skills

• Strategic and analytical thinking: The ability to analyze complex data and market trends to develop and execute effective procurement strategies.
• Negotiation skills: Expertise in negotiating contracts and resolving vendor disputes to secure favorable terms.
• Leadership: Strong team management and development skills, with the ability to motivate and guide a team toward departmental goals.
• Financial acumen: Proficiency in budget management, cost analysis, and reporting.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• ERP and software proficiency: Strong knowledge of procurement software and ERP systems (e.g., SRM, Nexus, Now Commerce, SAP, Oracle).
• Risk management: The ability to identify potential supply chain risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.

Preferred certifications

• Professional certifications such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) are highly desirable.