Director, Strategic Sourcing And Contracts

Brown University

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The Director leads all category management activities related to assigned categories while efficiently delivering business results that incorporate best practices, meet regulatory requirements and, ensuring the University receives the best overall value. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President/Chief Procurement Officer, this position acts as the primary lead for category strategy development, strategic sourcing, supplier management and negotiation of third-party agreements related to the procurement of goods and services by the Director's assigned customers and/or categories.

The Director develops and implements procurement policies, along with processes and systems that incorporate best practices, meet regulatory requirements, and ensure the University achieves optimal value, efficiency, and effectiveness in meeting its sourcing needs. The Director is responsible for the overall leadership, supervision, and direction of a team of procurement professionals who ensure the University's needs are met in a timely fashion and interests and rights are protected while driving sustainable and ethical business practices.

• In partnership with key stakeholders on campus and within SPC, identify and develop appropriate category strategies for the procurement of goods and services
• Collect and analyze data related to the University's spend portfolio from benchmark institutions, industry standards and best practices
• Identify opportunities to streamline the acquisition of frequently used goods and services and related business processes
• Leveraging available data, establish metrics and quantitative objectives for ongoing performance and continuous improvement consistent with goals for cost savings, quality service and customer satisfaction
• Foster productive working relationships with key stakeholders from assigned customers and/or category groups
• Work with department staff and campus stakeholders to understand categories in need of a comprehensive category strategy or different approach to procuring goods and/or services
• Develop, implement and manage innovative category strategies that meet the needs of campus, are cost-effective and align with other campus priorities
• Once defined, leverage prior experience and network of relationships to influence direction and adoption of category strategies to ensure results are achieved and sustained

• Develop, lead, and execute strategic sourcing strategies for the procurement of goods and services that align with category strategies that may exist
• Identify common users for all goods and services being sourced to effectively communicate procurement strategy, ensure the highest standards are met and sourcing results are communicated to the campus community
• Partner with internal stakeholders to serve as a member of strategic planning teams and influence change
• In conjunction with departments and/or subject matter experts, develop and manage requests for proposals processes, working closely with all parties to provide detailed specifications, timelines, evaluations and selection processes
• Ensure supplier selection process meets user needs, is cost-effective, and aligns with campus priorities
• Provide training and direction to department staff and campus regarding the strategic sourcing process

• Oversee the negotiation of contract terms with outside parties (suppliers, vendors, consultants) relating to the purchase of goods and services
• Ensure contractual risk is appropriately mitigated and the office maintains visibility into all obligations agreed upon
• Partner with the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), SPC colleagues and other contract review organizations on campus (Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP), Office of Research (OVPR)) to establish and refine standard contract terms and templates
• Review and negotiate complex legal terms for supplier agreements in partnership with Category Managers and University stakeholders (OGC, OVPR, OIT, etc.)
• Identify potential problems and provide alternative solutions in the structuring of agreements to avoid unnecessary costs or disputes
• Serve as the primary liaison to OGC and OVPR in the evaluation and acceptance of non-standard/negotiated terms

• Provide overall supervision, direction, and professional development for assigned staff members
• Assign contracts and sourcing projects to the team and delegate workflow effectively
• Provide training, direction, and support of strategy development sourcing and contract processing activities for staff
• Identify business process issues and practices requiring modification to existing policies or procedures and provide recommendations to senior leadership
• Provide training and direction to operational purchasing staff in order to facilitate the…