CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia's oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.

The University Procurement Office is a service unit dependent upon the cooperation and assistance of all University units and departments in order to be of the most benefit to the University.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm

Applicant screening will begin immediately. The application packet should include a cover letter detailing how the applicant's experience meets the needs, responsibilities, and qualification of the position; current CV; and contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to applicant.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu).

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Requires at least a baccalaureate degree in the field. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.

Ten years of increasing responsibilities in a higher education institution or similarly complex procurement environment where state or federal procurement rules exist.

Five years of successful supervisory experience of professional level staff.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Business & Administrative Services, the University of Georgia ( UGA) Chief Procurement Officer ( CPO) serves as the agent responsible for acquiring all materials, services, supplies, equipment and construction needed by campus to support UGA's educational, research and outreach missions. This includes oversight of the procurement and contract process on a university-wide basis, including review and approval of legal agreements, and the UGA purchasing card program. The Chief Procurement Officer ensures that UGA purchasing is compliant with state and federal procurement law, rules, and regulations plus Board of Regents University System of Georgia policy. Lead 20 staff that issue approximately 80,000 purchase orders valued at $362 million per year as well as the purchasing card program with over 550 cards with a spend of $9.5 million.

Knowledge of Georgia procurement law (O.C.G.A.) Section 50-5-50 et seq; State Purchasing Georgia Procurement Manual; UGA and Georgia State Accounting Office policy and procedures

To be successful in this role the CPO will demonstrate:
* Leadership and interpersonal skills that foster constructive outcomes in complex environment involving an array of distinct stakeholders wide range of professional and academic experiences;
* Experience in the development of policies to meet state and federal purchasing regulations/guidelines;
* Extensive experience and ability to manage strategically to include the development of efficient business-processes of effective sourcing, contracting, and supply management;
* Listening skills and ability to interpret the needs of the departments and colleges;
* High ethical standards, matter judgement, and discretion;
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
* The ability to prioritize workload and proactively manager expectations even when facing competitive priorities;
* Strong customer focus and willingness to champion changes, resolve conflict, build consensus, and motivate teams across multiple projects concurrently

The CPO will have technical training and minimally hold a Georgia Certified Purchasing Associate (G.P.C.A) or a NIGP Certified Professional Public Buyer ( CPPB) certification

Sitting at a computer for extended periods of time

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Build and maintain relationships with university partners across the university community in order to gather, analyze, and convey information to support purchasing, contract management and strategic sourcing. Provide subject matter expertise to university leadership and community on compliance and best practices in procurement, contracting, and materials management, including purchasing laws, rules, regulations and procedures. Coordinating and understanding UGA's long term purchasing and contracting needs; monitor UGA's compliance with administrative rules and, when areas of non-compliance are found, determine the appropriate course of action needed to correct the non-compliance, document the action plan, and detail the corrective action(s) taken.

Maintains a profound understanding of industry developments, market trends, emerging technology, new techniques, leading practices, and shared experiences. Measures and reports benefits delivered through purchasing, strategic sourcing and ongoing contract management activities. Serve as the liaison (or identifying a designee to serve as liaison) to aid suppliers from a wide range of backgrounds and business structures. Works to develop and support a program that broadens the pool of qualified suppliers and fosters economic opportunities. Ensures development of subcontracting plans occur upon request from Sponsored Programs or Principal Investigator and that federal subcontract reporting is completed as required.

Administers and implements the overall University of Georgia purchasing card program (P-Card), including annual review of card holders spending limits; over-site of random post-audit reviews, determination of card revocation or suspension if policy is violated, supervision of Procurement staff that assist with the UGA P-Card program, and the development of the UGA P-Card program policies and procedures to comply with the State of Georgia purchasing card program.

Partner with UGA Office of Legal Affairs to develop solution to complex issues and assess risks to the university. Maintain contract signature authority as delegated by the Vice President for Finance and Administration. Sub-delegate signature authority as appropriate. Reviews and authorizes projects, responds to audit recommendations and university reports. Works to ensure adequate controls are in place to conform to purchasing and contracting rules, policies, procedures and practices. Ensures that technical systems are structured and utilized in a manner that complies with purchasing rules and regulations.

Department Leadership - effectively designs, establishes, and maintains an organizational structure to meet the organization's goals and objectives. Establishes and implements short- and long-range organizational goals, objectives, strategic plans, policies, and operating procedures. Develops KPIs and procurement metrics to measure and evaluate the end-to-end procurement function. Monitors and evaluates programmatic and operational effectiveness, and effects changes required for improvement. Evaluate practices and operations to ensure the departments optimal overall effectiveness.

Handle purchases of commodities, goods and services in accordance with the State's order of precedence and prioritize based on the needs of the end user; analyze UGA purchases at least twice per year to help identify supplies, materials, equipment, and services which may best be strategically sourced against a new agency contract or utilization of a consortia/cooperative purchasing contract. Resolve major purchasing or bid issues to include participating in the protest process with State Purchasing, ensuring accurate information has been provided by the University of Georgia; exercise fiscal accountability through project department budgets and authorized expenditures.

Supervises professional staff including hiring/firing, planning, assigning and approving work, performance coaching and goal-setting, and preparing annual performance evaluations. Provide leadership by mentoring and training Procurement staff, ensuring completion of the Georgia Certified Purchasing Associate ( GCPA) Certification and retention of certification by obtaining the required number of training credits; maintain all necessary UGA procurement records; and ensure procurement staff contact information within the Georgia Procurement Registry/Agency Information is maintained and updated.

Organizational outreach engagement; participate as a key stakeholder or subject matter expert on university wide initiatives and collaborations; and other duties as assigned.