Sr. Associate Director, Procurement Excellence

The Senior Associate Director, Procurement Excellence, plays a pivotal role in optimizing Princeton’s procurement processes, business solutions, and supplier engagement strategies. This role is focused on continuous improvement efforts that enhance procurement efficiency and effectiveness, ensuring that service delivery is harmonized with Princeton’s objectives and values. The associate director is responsible for three distinct, cross-functional areas:

• Foster and amplify stakeholder relationships: Strengthen partnerships between the Princeton community of buyers and decisionmakers, current and prospective suppliers, and advocacy organizations through targeted and broad outreach and networking to enhance collaboration.
• Optimize procurement processes: Focusing on efficient and well controlled service delivery, develop, communicate, and advance good procurement practices by enhancing associated processes, technology, and policies.
• Enable procurement solutions: In collaboration with our finance technology team and key stakeholders, advance procurement solutions that enable efficient and well controlled engagement with suppliers, prepare us for emerging needs, and maximize partnerships with solution providers.

Inherently curious and solution-oriented, the role values a deep understanding of procurement best practices, and requires exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, the ability to independently conceptualize, nurture, and institutionalize ideas, and the capacity to inspire and motivate a diverse community of suppliers and university partners to action.

The successful individual will be equally comfortable directing strategic multi-year initiatives, providing hands-on support of daily university procurement needs, and serving as an advisor, coach, and advocate to our suppliers. They will further champion a compelling and persuasive case for change by advocating for a comprehensive approach to procurement that embraces socially responsible principles in its decision-making process.

The Office of Finance & Treasury actively searches for staff members of exceptional ability and promise who share in Princeton University's commitment to excellence, and who present a diversity of viewpoints and cultures. We offer varied professional opportunities spanning all aspects of financial management, analysis, and processing in support of the teaching and research mission. As part of the University community, we respect the dignity and individuality of each member while trying to foster a sense of shared experience and common purpose. We are unwavering in our commitment to both diversity and community and embrace the variety of talents, backgrounds, and perspectives of all of our colleagues.

Managing Procurement Excellence Efforts

• Design and implement the foundational framework for a comprehensive approach to procurement, including setting objectives, defining key measures, and developing initial policies and procedures.
• Establish processes that encourage competition, encourage interest and engagement from a broad cross section of suppliers, and align with Princeton’s mission and values.
• Implement sustainable sourcing practices that measure and minimize the environmental impact of procurement activities.
• Establish a robust governance framework that assesses the level of risk posed by university suppliers and purchases, defines appropriate mitigation strategies, and aligns with relevant procurement processes.
• Establish channels to maintain program visibility, promoting accomplishments, trends, and priorities to internal and external constituents.

Internal and External Stakeholder Engagement

• Create and sustain a multi-channel communications strategy to increase awareness, convey policies and best practices, and build partnerships.
• Drive university-wide engagement in good procurement practices by developing training materials, setting goals, tracking progress, and guiding strategic planning.
• Establish and chair a community of practice for procurement partners to share best practices and key information.
• Develop robust partnerships with internal stakeholders and external partners that foster connections between both parties.
• Cultivate a prominent presence in the supplier community by representing the university at industry events and demonstrating Princeton’s commitment to an inclusive supplier network.
• Develop and implement supplier capacity-building initiatives to provide insights into Princeton’s operations and expectations.

Procurement Process Optimization

• Conduct thorough evaluations of existing procurement workflows to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks, using data-driven analysis to pinpoint areas for improvement and develop actionable plans to enhance process efficiency.
• Introduce and promote procurement software features within the e-procurement and related systems to streamline activities, ensuring these tools are effectively integrated into existing processes to reduce manual tasks and improve accuracy.
• Partner with the procurement management team to improve consistency through standardized procedures and processes that ensure uniformity and efficiency in procurement practices.
• Stay informed about industry trends and best practices through external networks to continuously refine procurement processes, while providing ongoing training and development opportunities for procurement staff to ensure they are equipped with the latest tools and knowledge.

Procurement Systems Administration

• Manage supplier enablement and business configuration activities of the procurement solution.
• Serve as the vendor relationship manager for procurement systems, partnering with solutions providers to maximize use of their platforms, address service issues/pursue enhancements, and ensure contract compliance.
• Develop and deliver training to campus through a mixture of instructor-led training sessions, one-on-one sessions, online documentation, and ad-hoc requests.
• Partner with business analysts to identify, document and prioritize production support issues and enhancement requests for all procurement modules.
• Manage and provide guidance and feedback to the procurement systems administrator function.

Essential Qualifications:

• Education: Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Mgmt., Finance, or related field
• Professional Experience: 7+ years’ experience in a procurement, consulting/advisory, strategic initiatives, or program management role
• Analytical Skills: Strong conceptual thinking skills and experience leading others through ambiguous and complex issues
• Technology Proficiency: Proficiency administering the business configurations, testing, and troubleshooting of procurement technology platforms. 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Proven ability to develop and maintain influential and collaborative relationships with internal and external partners
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely and successful completion
• Change Management: Experience leading change initiatives and managing the transition to new processes and technologies
• Strategic Partner: Proven ability to articulate compelling business case value propositions and build stakeholder alignment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Business, Finance, or Management
• CPSM, CIPS, or other professional procurement certification
• Prior experience working in a higher education environment.
• Program management experience.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS