Head of Procurement and Purchasing

West Coast University; Kingston; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director of Procurement to lead procurement strategies across multiple campuses. This role involves developing and implementing procurement policies, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring cost-effective purchasing for educational and healthcare simulation products. The ideal candidate will possess strong financial analysis and negotiation skills, along with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams. Join a dynamic organization that values teamwork and a student-centric approach, where your contributions will make a significant impact on the lives of students and staff alike.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of related work experience, including management experience.
• Advanced knowledge of procurement theories and practices.

Responsibilities

• Manage procurement strategies and vendor relationships for multiple institutions.
• Conduct financial analysis and negotiate contracts for cost-effective purchasing.

Skills

Financial Analysis

Negotiation Skills

Project Management

Strategic Planning

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Tools

Office Equipment

Database Software

Spreadsheet Software

Word Processing Software

Job description

Job Summary Reporting to the VP Finance, the Director of Procurement is responsible for managing the overall procurement function in a multi-faceted, multi-location academic and administrative shared services setting. Responsibilities include developing and maintaining master contracts including Service Level Agreements and warranties, developing centralized procurement function, and implementing sourcing strategies in a leadership capacity. Manages product and vendor sourcing and selection, working with vendors to resolve problems and/or services. Continually researches opportunities for cost savings, conducts product and vendor selection, negotiates contracts and prepares Request for Proposal (RFP) for review and approval. Works with Shared Services Administration and both American Career College and West Coast University to facilitate and resolve problems with purchased products or services.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Develops and implements procurement strategies, policies, and procedures for both American Career College, West Coast University, and Shared Services Administration. Develops and implements strategic planning around all procurement functions. Establishes and maintains vendor relationships and provides project management and peer leadership for procurement initiatives.
• This position requires a significant amount of collaboration with American Career College, West Coast University, and Shared Services Administration leadership. Must be a strategic thinker and have the ability to interact at the highest levels of the organization, taking an influential leadership role to improve organizational priorities related to procurement.
• Demonstrates strong financial analysis skills including ability to assess RFP's responses using both budgetary considerations as well as long-term financial implications of sourcing decisions.
• Specific areas of responsibility include all indirect expense categories, professional services, and products related to education and healthcare simulation. Oversight of all Laboratory/Classroom, Facility, and electronic capital expense purchases. Collaboration with accounting to appropriately capitalize equipment and track their warranties.
• Negotiates pricing with vendors to ensure cost effectiveness and product availability which includes bidding, negotiation of terms and conditions, and final recommendation of contract award. Establishes specifications on products and scheduling of deliveries with vendors. Evaluate vendors by considering service level as well as best pricing. Leads implementation with key stakeholders and end users when new services or vendors are selected.
• Determines quality, effectiveness, and durability of purchased products and resolves any problems with purchased products or services.
• Develops/maintains a centralized purchasing system whereby departments from either American Career College, West Coast University, or Shared Services Administration may directly request and place supply orders. Ensures consistency of vendor usage for pricing control and to avoid duplicate supply orders. Develops more efficient models to reduce requests to change delivery timelines.
• Look for ways to develop and implement a centralized inventory system. Continually updates and monitors Inventory balances for cost-effectiveness. Reviews reports to ensure accuracy of charges to departments, quantity balances and inventory values.
• Maintains updated reference and quote files, contracts, price lists, catalogs, and vendor information, etc. Reviews advertising literature, trade magazines and other publications to keep current on market conditions, prices, and new products.
• Reviews workload and analyzes staffing requirements. Interviews, selects, trains, counsels and evaluates staff to ensure effective support. Reviews the efforts of staff and provides direction where needed, ensuring timely completion by objectives.
• Prepares and submits plans and budgets for area of responsibility. Monitors performance against approved plans. Prepares and submits status reports to manager.
• Conducts job responsibilities by the standards set out in the Company's Code of Ethical Conduct, Compliance Agreement, Sexual Harassment Policy or any of its policies and procedures, applicable federal and states laws, and applicable professional standards.
• Maintains regular and timely attendance, reports to work as scheduled and assures time worked and/or time-off is recorded properly.
• Maintains established department policies, procedures and attends in-services and other required meetings.
• Maintains confidentiality of all student, associate, and/or company information as required.
• Exercises care proper use and maintenance of department equipment and supplies and identifies unsafe conditions and makes appropriate adjustments.
• Maintains order, cleanliness and safety at work. Performs other job duties as assigned.

Preferred Education, Certifications and Licensures

• A Master's degree may be preferred.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Generally requires a Bachelor's degree

Required Experience and Skills

• Typically requires advanced knowledge of theories, concepts, principles, and practices in professional discipline.
• Experience leading a team, project, program, or function is required.
• Traditionally requires a minimum of 7 years of related work experience, including some management experience.
• Ability to interpret and apply company policies and procedures, specifically those developed regarding purchasing management.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly ethnic and culturally diverse student and associate community. Knowledge of supervisory or managerial skills, including strategic planning, assessment and evaluation skills. Ability to effectively negotiate with vendors/contractors to obtain the most cost effective prices and contract terms for goods and services purchased by the Company.
• Ability to consistently present the Company and its services in a positive manner and adhere to customer service guidelines and procedures as established by the Company.
• Ability to demonstrate good analytical, organizational and negotiating skills.
• Ability to comply with the established rules of operation, procedures, and policies when using computers, peripheral hardware, and software.
• Ability to maintain confidential information regarding company records.
• Ability to demonstrate basic math, statistical math, and financial recordkeeping techniques.
• Ability to operate a variety of office equipment such as calculating and adding machines, computer terminal, and appropriate software (word processing, spreadsheet, and database), as needed.
• Ability to demonstrate good communication and customer relations techniques by phone or in writing with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds on a regular, on-going basis.
• Ability to demonstrate strong professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to self-direct, self-pace, multi-task and function well under pressure of deadlines and conflicting priorities. Ability to work with the public and collaboratively with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule. Ability to exercise good judgment.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes - Reports to (Title): VP Finance

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Do you want a career that allows you to make a difference in other people’s lives? Discover what it means to truly believe in the work that you do at West Coast University.

At West Coast University, we have the privilege of educating students seeking careers in healthcare and guide them through their transformational journey from student to caregiver. Our associates are united behind that purpose and share a deep commitment to our values of teamwork, collegiality, transparency, and a student-centric approach to all we do. This focus creates an aligned, nimble, and consensus-driven culture that is solution-oriented and supports our associates’ professional growth.

West Coast University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all associates.