Procurement Manager

Manage purchasing and procurement activity across the Climate School including the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), identify opportunities to improve purchasing practices, achieve cost efficiencies, and ensure compliance with University policies and procedures. The Procurement Manager will provide direct day‑to‑day supervision of the department’s Procurement Analysts

Customer Service

• Manage the daily operations of the procurement team to ensure service to the community in a professional, ethical and timely manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Climate School and LDEO faculty, researchers and staff; work to resolve problems and determine the appropriate course of action to best meet their procurement needs.
• Serve as a procurement advisor to faculty, researchers, administrators, and staff, providing guidance on purchasing strategies, supplier selection, competitive bidding, contract requirements, and University procurement policies.
• Support strategic sourcing initiatives, including market research, solicitation development, bid analysis, supplier evaluation, and recommendations regarding vendor selection.
• Support contract administration including revenue generating service agreements, working with University Procurement, General Counsel’s Office, Finance, and other offices to facilitate contract development, renewals, amendments, and compliance.
• Support research procurement, including purchases associated with sponsored research, laboratory operations, equipment, services, and other specialized academic and research needs.
• Collaborate with central University procurement and finance offices to resolve complex purchasing issues and coordinate implementation of University-wide procurement initiatives.
• Ensure contract, bid, RFP, and all other procurement records and files are systematically recorded, maintained, and updated based on University policy.

Compliance and Continuous Improvement

• Develop and document standard operating procedures, guidance, and training materials related to purchasing and procurement.
• Improve purchasing processes, strengthen internal controls, and ensure appropriate alignment between procurement activity, budgets, and financial policies.
• Monitor compliance with University procurement policies, applicable federal and state requirements, sponsor requirements, and internal controls, escalating issues when appropriate.
• Identify opportunities to streamline procurement processes and implement improvements that reduce administrative burden, improve customer service, and increase efficiency.
• Conduct training and provide ongoing support to faculty, researchers and staff on procurement systems, policies, sourcing practices, and purchasing requirements.

Supplier Management

• Manage the vendor on‑boarding process.
• Manage and monitor supplier relationships, including performance, pricing, service levels, contract compliance, and resolution of procurement‑related issues

Analysis

• Collaborate with Finance colleagues to analyze spending and procurement data to identify trends, opportunities for savings, supplier consolidation, purchasing efficiencies, and areas of financial or operational risk.

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 4 years of related work experience in procurement, purchasing, accounts payable, or related financial/administrative operations, preferably in higher education, nonprofit, government, or another complex organization.

• Prior supervisory or team‑lead experience, including assigning and reviewing work, coaching staff, managing performance, and supporting professional development.
• Demonstrated experience managing end‑to‑end procurement activities, including purchase orders, vendor onboarding, competitive bidding/quotes, contract coordination, invoice resolution, and purchasing documentation.
• Strong knowledge of procurement policies, internal controls, and compliance requirements, with the ability to ensure transactions are appropriately documented and processed.
• Experience developing or improving procurement procedures, workflows, and service standards to increase efficiency and consistency

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.