Senior Procurement Officer at InsideHigherEd

Position OverviewThe Senior Procurement Officer is responsible as the strategic sourcing expert supporting KU’s Operations and Facilities, Planning & Development (FPD) departments. This role will lead procurement efforts across key categories including 1) Construction; 2) Facilities Services (e.g. janitorial, elevator maintenance, pest control, laundry, signage, etc.); and 3) Facilities equipment (e.g. HVAC, generators, fire protection, MEP systems, etc.). They will handle competitive bidding, supplier contracting, contract drafting and negotiation, and procurement compliance guidance for these units. This position oversees strategic procurement for a variety of complex product and service categories, and will drive through competitive sourcing, supplier relationship management and cross-functional collaboration. This position will also manage related subcategories such as architecture, engineering, furniture, fixtures, and equipment, fuel, maintenance & repair, and moving services.

This position ensures compliance with university policies, fosters supplier relationships, and drives cost-effective, value-added procurement strategies to support institutional goals. The ideal candidate will excel working a fast-paced setting with shifting priorities and tight deadlines and will be comfortable facilitating meetings of stakeholders with competing interests to accelerate informed purchasing decisions.

Due to complex state employment laws, the University of Kansas may be unable to hire fully remote workers for this position outside of Kansas. Specifically, we cannot currently offer employment to candidates residing in the following states: California, Delaware, Idaho & Minnesota. We appreciate your understanding and invite interested individuals from eligible states to apply. Job Description25% - Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Execution

• Develop, execute, and manage strategic sourcing initiatives that align with institutional objectives including KU’s operational and capital planning needs.
• Conduct market research and benchmarking to ensure competitive pricing and quality.
• Identify and implement cost-saving and value-added procurement strategies.
• Lead competitive bidding process (RFPs, RFQs, etc.) and supplier evaluations.

25% - Contract Negotiation & Supplier Management

• Negotiate complex contracts, ensuring favorable terms and risk mitigation.
• Draft, negotiate and manage contracts, ensuring compliance with university policies and applicable regulations.
• Collaborate with FPD, Operations, General Counsel, Risk Management, Environmental Health and Safety, and Finance to ensure procurement activities support institutional priorities.
• Develop and manage supplier relationships to enhance service levels and performance.
• Oversee contract lifecycle management, including renewals, compliance, and supplier performance reviews.
• Analyze supplier performance and market trends to inform sourcing decisions and identify cost-saving opportunities.

25% - Cross Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary procurement liaison for Operations, FPD, and other key departments.
• Work closely with university stakeholders to understand their procurement needs and provide solutions.
• Mentor internal stakeholders on procurement best practices and strategic sourcing principles.
• Reduce silos by integrating procurement best practices across functional areas.

25% - Compliance, Policy & Process Improvement

• Ensure adherence to university procurement policies, state regulations, and industry best practices.
• Drive process improvements to enhance efficiency, transparency, and cost-effectiveness.
• Provide training and guidance to internal stakeholders on procurement policies and best practices.

Position RequirementsOccasional travel for in-person training and conferences and regional procurement events (roughly 2-3 times per year) plus travel to/from KU-Lawrence Campus for bid meetings and site walk throughs, as needed, but up to 1 time per month. These would all be single day trips with the exception of an annual procurement conference that is a 2-3 nights.Required Qualifications

1. Master’s degree and five (5) years OR a Bachelor’s degree and seven (7) years of related experience.
2. Experience managing procurement for multiple complex service categories as evidenced in application materials.
3. Experience that required strong negotiation skills and a proven track record of achieving cost savings and favorable contract terms as evidenced in application materials.
4. Experience working independently and managing multiple projects simultaneously as shown in application materials.
5. Experience where communication and relationship-building skills with cross-functional teams was required, as evidenced by application materials.
6. Experience that required understanding procurement best practices, supplier contracting, and supplier management as shown in application materials.
7. Experience with enterprise procurement systems and contract management tools as show in application materials.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience in higher education, government, or public sector procurement environment as evidenced in application materials.
2. Professional certification (e.g., CPSM, CPPO, PMP, or equivalent)

Additional Candidate InstructionsIn addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications. Resume. List of three (3) professional references.

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins Monday, December 1, 2025 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.

Contact Information to ApplicantsBen Lizak, Chief Procurement Officer
[email protected] Salary Range$90,000-110,000, commensurate with experienceApplication Review BeginsMonday December 1, 2025Anticipated Start DateMonday December 15, 2025Apply to Job