Chief Procurement Officer - Strategic Business Services

Job Summary

The Chief Procurement Officer (CPO), reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Strategic Business Services, provides strategic leadership, vision, and oversight for key financial and procurement functions that ensure effective stewardship of university resources. This role integrates budget strategy with procurement and payables operations to deliver value, mitigate risk, and support institutional priorities.

As a visible university leader, the CPO drives adoption of modern systems and practices, strengthens supplier and constituent engagement, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional standards and policies. This position is critical in positioning the university for financial sustainability, operational excellence, and long-range success. The CPO is the senior procurement official at the University.

Strategic Business Services (SBS) supports campus business operations with a focus on procure-to-pay, credit card programs, travel, public works, enterprise risk management, real estate, and campus policy.

• Demonstrated ability to promote and sustain strong team and customer engagement.
• Demonstrated ability leading large, diverse teams and management of complex budgets and operations.
• Strong knowledge of procurement law, financial regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, procurement, contracting, or related areas. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $160,000 - $190,000. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected.

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website  for additional information.

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world.

For more information, visit calpoly.edu http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Please watch the video linked here  to learn more about the CSU system.

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university…