Assistant Director of Purchasing

Bowling Green State University; Bowling Green (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Bowling Green State University is seeking an Assistant Director of Purchasing to lead procurement and contracting activities, overseeing competitive sourcing, construction procurement, and contract administration in line with university policy and state law.

The role uses market intelligence, data analysis, and negotiation expertise to develop strategies that achieve best value, manage risk, and strengthen campus relationships while guiding Purchasing team members.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
• Minimum 4 years in purchasing, supply chain, project management, or related field.
• Knowledge of Ohio law and higher education procurement regulations.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and administration of RFPs, RFQs, invitations to bid, and other competitive purchasing processes in accordance with policy and state law.
• Advise stakeholders on specifications, sourcing strategies, proposal evaluation, supplier selection, negotiation, and contract development to achieve best value.
• Oversee construction procurement, including bid-document preparation and award recommendations.
• Collaborate with General Counsel and other partners on complex agreements and procurement matters.
• Exercise delegated authority to sign designated lower-threshold contracts and forms; escalate matters needing legal review.
• Analyze purchasing data to evaluate category performance, policy compliance, and opportunities for improvements.
• Develop and recommend category strategies based on market conditions and stakeholder needs.
• Negotiate contracts and manage key supplier relationships; monitor performance and resolve issues.
• Direct central contract-management processes and coordinate renewals or rebids.
• Guide staff on procurement planning, policy compliance, and supplier-related matters.
• Support public-records requests and other compliance activities.

Job description

The Assistant Director of Purchasing provides operational leadership for University procurement and contracting activities. The position leads and oversees competitive sourcing, construction procurement, contract administration, category management, supplier performance, and procurement process improvement in compliance with University policy and applicable state law. Using market intelligence, data analysis, and negotiation expertise, the position develops procurement strategies that achieve best value, manage risk, strengthen supplier and campus relationships, and improve the quality and efficiency of purchased goods and services. The Assistant Director advises University stakeholders, exercises delegated contract-signature authority, recommends procurement strategies to the Director of Purchasing, supervises Procurement Specialists, and provides leadership and support to the Purchasing team. The Assistant Director of Purchasing is responsible for category analysis, compliance with purchasing policy, as well as oversees continuous improvement initiatives, while offering support and direction to other Purchasing team members when requested by the Director.

• Leads and supervises the development and administration of requests for proposals, requests for quotations, invitations to bid, and other competitive purchasing processes in accordance with University policy and applicable state law.


• Advises University stakeholders on specifications, sourcing strategies, proposal evaluation, supplier selection, negotiation, and contract development to achieve best value and manage procurement risk.


• Oversees construction procurement, including bid-document preparation, coordination with architects and project managers, pre-bid meetings, public bid openings, award recommendations, pre-construction meetings, prevailing-wage reviews, and related compliance activities.


• Collaborates with the Office of General Counsel, the Office of the Ohio Attorney General, and other appropriate partners on complex, high-risk, or nonstandard agreements and procurement matters.


• Exercises delegated authority to sign designated lower-threshold contracts and forms, including credit applications, independent contractor agreements, and approved service agreements; escalates matters that exceed delegated authority or require legal review.


• Analyzes purchasing, contract, supplier, and market data to evaluate category performance, policy compliance, sourcing opportunities, process improvements, and priorities for Procurement Specialists.


• Develops and recommends category and sourcing strategies based on market conditions, cost analysis, supplier capabilities, stakeholder requirements, and the University's operational and financial objectives.


• Negotiates contracts and commercial terms; manages key supplier relationships in collaboration with campus partners; monitors supplier performance; and resolves issues to protect University interests and support effective outcomes.


• Directs central contract-management processes, maintains associated procedures, monitors expiring agreements and sourcing calendars, and coordinates timely renewal, rebid, amendment, or closeout decisions.


• Develops, maintains, and improves purchasing procedures, solicitation documents, contract templates, purchase-order terms, guidance materials, system processes, and testing protocols.


• Guides University personnel on purchasing requirements and provides responsive consultation on procurement planning, contracting, policy compliance, and supplier-related matters.


• Supports public-records requests and other compliance activities in coordination with the Office of General Counsel and relevant University offices.


• Supervises Procurement Specialists by establishing priorities, assigning and reviewing work, providing coaching and development, and promoting consistent, high-quality procurement practices.


• Represents the Purchasing department with suppliers, campus stakeholders, professional associations, and industry groups, and maintains alignment with the Director of Purchasing on procurement strategy, priorities, and operations.


• Performs other duties as assigned

The following Degree is required:

• Bachelor’s degree

The following Degree is preferred:

• Master’s Degree

The following Experience is required:

• 4 years of experience in any of the following areas: purchasing, supply chain, project management, or related field of business

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Ohio law and higher education procurementregulations


• Strong administrative, analytical and organizational skills


• Experience writing specifications, preparing RFP documents


• Experience drafting professional correspondence and working with spreadsheet and database applications


• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously


• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written


• Ability to work in a team environment and to align with key stakeholders and members of management


• Demonstrated evidence of making sound judgments and decision, and problem-solving skills


• Ability to function well under time constraints and deadlines


• Excellent negotiating skills


• Understanding of procurement processes

Deadline to Apply: October 29, 2026

Essential Requirement: Work Authorization

BGSU does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.