Director of Procurement, Contracts, & Distribution Services

Description

This position directs the University's procurement, contract administration, Distribution Services, and outsourced Print & Copy operations. This position also provides strategic leadership for the timely, ethical, compliant, and cost-effective acquisition of goods and services; oversees complex and technical solicitations, including construction and capital projects; manages vendor and contract performance; and leads assigned staff and systems in support of institutional priorities.

Examples of Duties

Procurement and Distribution Services Center Administration (30%)

• Directs procurement operations to ensure the timely, ethical, and cost-effective acquisition of goods and services in compliance with applicable federal, state, and University requirements.

• Develops and implements procurement strategies aligned with institutional goals, operational needs, and sound stewardship of University resources.

• Develops and oversees complex and technical competitive solicitations, including Requests for Proposals (RFP), Requests for Information (RFI), Requests for Qualifications (RFQ), and construction or capital-project procurements, from planning through contract execution.

• Partners with requesting departments to define requirements, refine specifications and scopes of work, select appropriate procurement methods, and maximize competition and value.

• Coordinates proposal evaluation, negotiations, award recommendations, and required approval processes in accordance with delegated authority.

• Administers the ERP, electronic bidding, evaluation, and contract-management systems in coordination with relevant departments.

• Manages the university P-Card program in coordination with the accounting department.

• Oversees Distribution Services operations, including campus mail, package delivery, warehouse functions, surplus-property acquisition, and related service delivery.

Contract and Vendor Management (30%)

• Administers University contracts by monitoring vendor performance, ensuring compliance with contractual requirements, resolving disputes, and coordinating corrective action when necessary
• Exercises or obtains appropriate signatory authority and ensures contractual obligations, approvals, and institutional commitments are properly documented and fulfilled.
• Maintains effective relationships with vendors, manufacturers, contractors, and procurement professionals while promoting fair competition and service excellence.
• Oversees outsourced Print & Copy services, including vendor performance, service quality, policy development, and campus customer support.

Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement (30%)

• Provides strategic leadership, supervision, coaching, and professional development for Procurement and Distribution Services staff, establishing clear performance expectations and a culture of compliance, accountability, and service excellence.
• Advises University leadership on procurement risks, trends, sourcing strategies, regulatory developments, vendor matters, and best practices.
• Develops, implements, interprets, and maintains procurement and materials-control policies and procedures consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
• Provides procurement education and training to University stakeholders on sourcing options, bidding requirements, ethics, evaluation methods, contract administration, and related processes.
• Prepares or coordinates Board of Governors briefing materials and approval requests for procurements requiring executive or Board action.
• Conducts or oversees procurement studies, performance analysis, spend and vendor reporting, and other data-informed assessments to support continuous improvement.
• Represents the University with external organizations, vendors, business leaders, and professional associations as appropriate.

• Manages assigned budgets, records, systems, and administrative operations.
• Monitors changes in procurement, contracting, postal, distribution, and related laws, regulations, and industry practices.
• Maintains audit-ready documentation and supports internal and external compliance reviews.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or related field required
• An advanced degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Supply Chain Management , or a related field and/or professional certifications are preferred.

• Five (5) years progressively more responsible procurement experience involving electronic bid and contract management, preferably in higher education or the public sector required.

• T wo (2) years of management experience required, preferably in procurement.

• Construction or capital project procurement experience preferred.
• Experience with modern procurement or sourcing platforms and ERP systems, such as Ionwave, Jaggaer, and Banner or comparable enterprise platforms preferred.

• Knowledge : Expert knowledge of public procurement principles, procurement regulations, contract administration, and applicable federal and state procurement requirements. Knowledge of budgeting, financial management, accounting principles, and business operations.
• Skills: Strong leadership, negotiation, contract management, and vendor relationship management skills. Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 suite and other procurement-related technology.
• Abilities: Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and contractual requirements. Ability to analyze financial and operational data and develop practical business solutions. Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities. Ability to establish effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Ability to manage multiple projects, establish priorities, and meet deadlines. Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and make independent decisions.

Special Instructions:

Full-time staff & 12-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks paid vacation per year; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes atUCM.

9-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes atUCM.

Part-time benefits-eligible positions: Benefits include generous education assistance for the employee.

Temporary, adjunct, student employment, or graduate assistant positions: Benefits are not included.

CompletedUCMonline application for employment required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

A review will begin immediately and continue until filled unless indicated otherwise.

NOTE: A background check is required for the selected candidate of all staff, faculty, adjunct, and temporary positions and any job offer is contingent on the results of this check. Student employees and graduate assistants do not require a background check to be conducted prior to employment.

The University of Central Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.