Reporting to the Associate VP for Business Operations, the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) manages the end-to-end procurement process, including sourcing & contracting, purchasing, accounts payable, systems, and a center of excellence service dept. The CPO is expected to build and promote a best-in-class procurement organization at Emory University.
Will be responsible for the strategic leadership, management, and execution of the university's procurement and supply chain operations. This role ensures that procurement practices align with the university's mission, strategic goals, and regulatory requirements.
The CPO will drive cost-saving initiatives, foster supplier relationships, and lead a team of 32 procurement professionals with addressable spend of approximately $625M in supporting the diverse needs of the university's academic, research, and administrative functions.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Leadership:
- Develops and implements the university's procurement strategy, aligning with the institution's overall strategic objectives.
- Establishes and communicates a clear vision for the procurement function, focusing on cost efficiency, risk management, and innovation.
- Leads the development and execution of policies, procedures, and best practices to streamline procurement processes.
- Acts as a trusted adviser to all of senior leadership and internal customers in all matters related to procurement across the university system.
- Works in collaboration with healthcare to leverage indirect spend as a system.
- Builds a customer-centric organization that is highly responsive in creating value.
- Manages effective communications that provide clarity for the procurement function.
Procurement Management:
- Oversees the end-to-end procurement process, including sourcing, contracting, purchasing, supplier management, and logistics.
- Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and university regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Manages and negotiates high-value contracts and agreements with key suppliers to secure the best terms for the university.
- Uses tools and technology to offer best in class services that are highly efficient in the procure to pay space.
- Develops and refines a category-led strategic sourcing function and manages the infrastructure which includes strategic sourcing, a streamlined contracting process, spend analytics, e-Procurement, procure-to-pay (P2P), supplier relationship management (SRM), vendor management and a procurement risk management policy.
- Creates a more robust e-Procurement function with extensive catalogues that is user-friendly.
- Evaluates system-wide modules and bolt-ons that will deliver enhanced data, the ability to track purchase orders and high visibility for all users.
- Leads a high-performing accounts payable organization.
- Leads an award-winning supplier diversity program that continues to be a model in higher ed.
- Supports and promotes sustainable purchasing practices.
Financial Stewardship and Oversight of Procurement Budget:
- Manages the procurement department's operating budget, ensuring that expenses are in line with the university's financial goals.
Cost Control:
- Identifies and implements cost-saving opportunities and initiatives to maximize the value of university resources.
- Implements strategies to control and reduce procurement-related costs while ensuring needs are met.
Resource Allocation:
- Allocates financial resources effectively to various procurement initiatives, ensuring optimal use of the university's funds.
Reporting:
- Prepares and presents regular reports on procurement performance, cost savings, and strategic initiatives to senior leadership.
Strategic Sourcing:
- Develops and executes sourcing strategies that leverage the university's purchasing power to obtain the best value for goods and services. -
Negotiation of Contracts:
- Leads high-value contract negotiations with suppliers to achieve favorable terms, including discounts, extended payment terms, and cost avoidance.
Vendor Management:
- Establishes strong relationships with vendors to ensure competitive pricing, volume discounts, and cost-effective service delivery.
Spend Analysis:
- Conducts regular analyses of procurement spending to identify trends, opportunities for savings, and areas for improvement.
Performance Reporting:
- Prepares and presents financial reports to senior leadership, detailing procurement activities, cost savings, and financial impact.
- Develops KPIs and procurement metrics to measure and evaluate the end-to-end procurement function.
Return on Investment (ROI) Assessment:
- Evaluates the financial return on investment for major procurement initiatives, ensuring that projects deliver expected financial benefits.
Supplier Relationship Management:
- Develops and maintains strong relationships with key suppliers and vendors to ensure reliable and high-quality service delivery.
- Leads supplier evaluation, selection, and performance management processes, ensuring alignment with the university's needs and values.
- Promotes supplier diversity and sustainability in procurement practices.
Team Leadership and Development:
- Leads, mentors, and develops a team of procurement professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and professional growth.
- Establishes clear goals, performance metrics, and development plans for team members.
- Ensures the procurement team is equipped with the necessary skills, tools, and resources to succeed.
Risk Management:
- Identifies potential risks in procurement processes and develop strategies to mitigate these risks.
- Ensures robust contract management practices to protect the university's interests.
- Monitors market trends, legal developments, and economic factors that may impact the university's procurement activities.
- Implements an ERM program to address important risks that need to be managed in the procure to pay space.
- Manages all aspects of contracting compliance, including any applicable FAR compliance.
- Works with research on requirements for purchases using grant funds.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Collaborates with university departments, including academic, research, and administrative units, to understand their procurement needs and provide effective solutions.
- Builds strong relationships with internal customers by solving operational problems and becoming a trusted and knowledgeable adviser to stakeholders.
- Acts as the primary point of contact for procurement-related inquiries from internal stakeholders and external entities.
- Promotes transparency and effective communication regarding procurement processes and decisions.
- Creates surveys, tools and focus groups to regularly measure customer satisfaction.
- Performs related responsibilities as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field is required.
- An advanced degree of MBA or JD is highly preferred.
- 10 years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, supply chain management, or related fields that includes managing a spend greater than $400 million with a high degree of complexity; this includes at least 5 years of experience in a senior leadership role, preferably in a higher education or public sector environment.
- Additional professional certifications in procurement (e.g. CPM) are preferred.
- Proven track record of successful procurement management, cost savings, and supplier relationship management.
- Experience managing procurement systems (i.e. Jaggaer, Spend Analytics tools, e-Procurement, Supply Chain Management systems, Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), Peoplesoft, etc.)
- Experience having oversight of an Accounts Payable function.
- Experience with procurement risk management and managing compliance with procurement regulations and contracting.
- Track record in contributions to sustainability, developing diverse supplier programming and local business programming.
- Customer-focused leader with superb skills in stakeholder engagement and excellent communication skills.
NOTE: This role will be granted the opportunity to work from home regularly but must be able to commute to Emory University on a flexible weekly schedule based upon business needs. Schedule is based on agreed upon guidelines of department. This role requires residency in the state of GA. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.
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