Director of Sourcing, Purchasing Services, Administration & Finance, Hybrid

Current UC employees must apply internally via Success Factors.

Next Lives at the University of Cincinnati is a 1819‑established Carnegie 1 public research university with more than 53,600 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, and 360,000 alumni. UC is a national leader in scholarship, innovation, and community impact, driving the Cincinnati Innovation District and contributing billions of dollars to the regional economy.

The Director of Sourcing provides institutional leadership for the University’s strategic sourcing function, overseeing enterprise‑level competitive sourcing, supplier negotiations, and category strategies. The role manages a team of sourcing managers, includes oversight of contract compliance, and ensures best value, risk mitigation, and strict compliance with University Board Rules, state procurement regulations, and federal requirements. The Director approves high‑impact RFPs, develops long‑term sourcing strategies, drives spend management discipline, enhances supplier performance, and strengthens relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.

• Lead the University’s strategic sourcing function and manage a team of Strategic Sourcing Managers, including oversight of contract compliance activities.
• Oversee planning, execution, evaluation, and award decisions for enterprise-level sourcing projects.
• Personally oversee and participate in select high‑impact, complex RFPs and RFQs, often partnering with a sourcing manager.
• Develop multi‑year sourcing and category strategies that support institutional goals and financial stewardship.
• Serve as escalation point for complex negotiations, supplier issues, and stakeholder challenges.
• Build strong relationships with academic, administrative, facilities, research, and construction units to understand needs and advise on sourcing strategies.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships, monitor supplier performance, and drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with University Board Rules, state procurement requirements, federal regulations, and internal policies.
• Oversee spend analysis, identify sourcing opportunities, and support campus adoption of spend management discipline.
• Provide training and guidance on competitive bidding requirements, sourcing practices, negotiations, and documentation standards.
• Recommend improvements to sourcing policies, procedures, and standards.
• Oversee procurement KPI development and tracking; measure and report benefits delivered through strategic sourcing and ongoing contract management activities.
• Perform related duties based on departmental need; this job description may change at any time.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Supply chain, Finance, or a related field.
• Eleven (11) years of relevant education, experience and/or other specialized training can fulfill minimum education and experience requirements.

• Seven (7) years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, contract negotiations, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience running formal competitive bidding processes, including complex RFPs.
• Supervisory experience specifically including overseeing daily operational tasks as well as staff capability building.

• Experience in public sector procurement or higher education.
• Professional certification (CPSM, CPPO, CPPB or similar).
• Experience using eProcurement or sourcing platforms.
• Understanding of federal uniform guidance and/or typical sponsored programs procurement procedures.

Office environment/no specific unusual physical or environmental demands.

UC offers an exceptional benefits package designed to support your well‑being, financial security, and work‑life balance. Eligibility may vary by position and FTE status. Highlights include:

UC provides tuition remission for you and your eligible dependents, covering tuition costs for nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the university.

As a UC employee, you won’t contribute to Social Security (except Medicare).…