Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Position Summary

Colorado State University seeks an innovative, collaborative and forward-thinking professional to help lead one of the most exciting sourcing initiatives in higher education.

Unlike traditional procurement positions focused on acquiring goods and services.

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist will combine strategic sourcing, category management, executive collaboration, partnership development, and complex negotiations to advance the University mission, vision and goals.

The person will play a critical role in delivering measurable cost savings and/or partnership engagement to the University in close collaboration with the Colorado State University Partnership Program.

This is an opportunity to build what may become the national model for strategic procurement in higher education.

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist will help identify, negotiate and manage mutually beneficial relationships with external organizations to drive revenue growth, innovation and/or cost savings.

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist will create these partnerships in accordance with the University’s Procurement Rules, State and Federal rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Based on professional experience, knowledge, and using the highest ethical conduct, this position will facilitate procurement decisions for the University by clarifying requirements, investigating sources of supply, and interpreting and analyzing data and circumstances.

This position provides procurement leadership by guiding the University and the various departments through the procurement process in order to obtain the best value for the University.

Judgment is used in the adaptation and skilled application of guidelines to solve the full range of problems related to each procurement.

The successful candidate will facilitate collaborative stakeholder relationships while maintaining subject matter expertise.

This position requires a strong team player with a passion for providing excellent customer support and the ability to facilitate collaborative stakeholder relationships.

This is a new, full-time appointment, based on the CSU Fort Collins campus, with the potential for flexible work arrangements including hybrid office/remote work.

The expected start date is as soon as possible.

This position will remain open until filled, but for full consideration, please apply by September 13, 2026.

• Work closely with the Chief Procurement Officer and AVP for University Partnerships in every step of the UPP Process.
• Select and structure the solicitation vehicle (e.g., invitation for bid vs. best-value request for proposal), evaluation criteria, contract term and renewal strategy that best support partnership objectives while preserving full and open competition.
• Coordinate with partnership, advancement and marketing stakeholders so that procurement and sponsorship activities remain appropriately separated and compliant (including anti-kickback and pay-to-play safeguards), engaging the Office of the General Counsel as needed.
• Procures goods and services on a competitive basis for best outcomes to end users by compiling and refining solicitation specifications, researching and identifying potential sources and preparing appropriate solicitation documents.
• Guides campus departments through procurement procedures.
• Collaborates with campus departments on defining performance measures and award criteria.
• Interprets and analyzes responses, communicates the results and collaborates with the University department on selecting awarded supplier(s) and awards the contract.
• Guides and assures the integrity of all aspects of the procurement process by researching and developing solicitation documents in collaboration with the requesting…