Director of Purchasing & Strategic Sourcing; Hybrid

Department and Salary

Department: Procurement/Payment Services

Salary/Grade: EXS/13

Procurement and Payment Services (PPS) is the single point of contact for all centralized procurement and payment activities. The Director of Strategic Sourcing and Purchasing, reporting to the Assistant Vice President, leads the Strategic Sourcing and Purchasing team of 6‑8 staff responsible for managing the formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process, as well as managing the resulting contracts. This includes establishing Preferred Vendor Contracts (e.g., for computer, lab, and office supplies) as well as contracts with strategic partners for a broad range of goods and services (e.g., custodial and food services).

The team also reviews and approves requisitions and payment requests within NUFinancials.

The Director ensures these functions are performed with integrity and a high degree of independence. Success in this role requires high engagement and strong collaboration with the Office of General Counsel, Risk Management, departments and schools, as well as the Procurement and Payment Services division and the vendor community.

* Note:

Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

• Supervise the Strategic Sourcing and Purchasing team, including hiring, training, performance evaluations, and terminations.
• Assign and balance workload across staff; monitor project progress and provide ongoing feedback.
• Provide direct oversight for high-profile bids and contracts.
• Act as the internal escalation point for procurement and payment‑related issues; implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Continually stay informed and train your team on industry best practices, regulatory changes, and emerging procurement solutions.
• Assist with budget management and long‑term planning within Procurement and Payment Services.
• Represent the Assistant Vice President as needed in meetings and decision‑making forums.

• Lead or support high‑visibility procurement projects and manage a select portfolio of strategic contracts.
• Oversee the full Invitation to Bid (ITB) process, including review and approval of bid documents, award decisions, and contracts.
• Ensure compliance with University purchasing policies, procedures, and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Provide oversight for Purchasing‑required approvals and ensure contract compliance through post‑audit reviews and policy consultation.

• Identify and pursue opportunities for process improvement, automation, and strategic cost savings across the procure‑to‑pay lifecycle.
• Analyze spending patterns and trends to identify future contracting opportunities and inform university business decisions.
• Develop and evaluate procurement‑related metrics, reports, and key performance indicators (KPIs).

• Foster strong, collaborative relationships with departments, schools, and campus stakeholders.
• Contributes to the development of procurement‑related communications, including forms, website content, training materials, newsletters, and strategic messaging.
• Service as a representative to the vendor community to promote partnership opportunities.
• Represent Northwestern at peer networks, relevant industry conferences, and local business events.

Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in business and management or related field required.
• Five to ten years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, purchasing, or related procurement functions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and collaborate effectively across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to compile, interpret, and act on data to support decision‑making and problem‑solving.
• Excellent organizational, time‑management, and communication skills—both written and verbal.
• Proficiency in relevant business software and procurement systems.
• In‑depth knowledge of procurement and payment processes, best practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities…