Assistant Director of Purchasing

The Assistant Director of Purchasing provides operational leadership for University procurement and contracting activities. The position leads and oversees competitive sourcing, construction procurement, contract administration, category management, supplier performance, and procurement process improvement in compliance with University policy and applicable state law. Using market intelligence, data analysis, and negotiation expertise, the position develops procurement strategies that achieve best value, manage risk, strengthen supplier and campus relationships, and improve the quality and efficiency of purchased goods and services.

The Assistant Director advises University stakeholders, exercises delegated contract-signature authority, recommends procurement strategies to the Director of Purchasing, supervises Procurement Specialists, and provides leadership and support to the Purchasing team. The Assistant Director of Purchasing is responsible for category analysis, compliance with purchasing policy, as well as oversees continuous improvement initiatives, while offering support and direction to other Purchasing team members when requested by the Director.

• Leads and supervises the development and administration of requests for proposals, requests for quotations, invitations to bid, and other competitive purchasing processes in accordance with University policy and applicable state law.
• Advises University stakeholders on specifications, sourcing strategies, proposal evaluation, supplier selection, negotiation, and contract development to achieve best value and manage procurement risk.
• Oversees construction procurement, including bid-document preparation, coordination with architects and project managers, pre-bid meetings, public bid openings, award recommendations, pre-construction meetings, prevailing-wage reviews, and related compliance activities.
• Collaborates with the Office of General Counsel, the Office of the Ohio Attorney General, and other appropriate partners on complex, high-risk, or nonstandard agreements and procurement matters.
• Exercises delegated authority to sign designated lower-threshold contracts and forms, including credit applications, independent contractor agreements, and approved service agreements; escalates matters that exceed delegated authority or require legal review.
• Analyzes purchasing, contract, supplier, and market data to evaluate category performance, policy compliance, sourcing opportunities, process improvements, and priorities for Procurement Specialists.
• Develops and recommends category and sourcing strategies based on market conditions, cost analysis, supplier capabilities, stakeholder requirements, and the University's operational and financial objectives.
• Negotiates contracts and commercial terms; manages key supplier relationships in collaboration with campus partners; monitors supplier performance; and resolves issues to protect University interests and support effective outcomes.
• Directs central contract-management processes, maintains associated procedures, monitors expiring agreements and sourcing calendars, and coordinates timely renewal, rebid, amendment, or closeout decisions.
• Develops, maintains, and improves purchasing procedures, solicitation documents, contract templates, purchase-order terms, guidance materials, system processes, and testing protocols.
• Guides University personnel on purchasing requirements and provides responsive consultation on procurement planning, contracting, policy compliance, and supplier-related matters.
• Supports public-records requests and other compliance activities in coordination with the Office of General Counsel and relevant University offices.
• Supervises Procurement Specialists by establishing priorities,…