Associate Director of Procurement - Facilities

Texas Christian University; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Christian University seeks an Associate Director of Procurement to lead the Facilities purchasing function and to provide strategic direction for university-wide procurement. The role oversees sourcing, vendor selection, and policy enforcement while supporting fleet procurement.

The ideal candidate has extensive procurement leadership experience, familiarity with higher education, and a proven ability to drive cost savings and process improvements across complex operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field.
• 8 years of contracting, procurement and material management experience with 5 years in a supervisory role.
• Experience in higher education and/or complex procurements is preferred.
• Experience leading strategic sourcing initiatives and vendor negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement activities within the Facilities department and support university-wide procurement.
• Develop sourcing strategy using electronic procurement, bids, cooperatives and contracts.
• Ensure competitive vendor selection and report results to leadership.
• Support supplier diversity goals through sourcing resources and outreach.
• Provide strategic oversight of procurement operations and drive process improvements.
• Administer and enforce procurement policy with staff training.
• Monitor budgets and drive cost savings across departments.
• Provide fleet procurement services in coordination with the fleet officer.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Vendor management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Staff development

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

MBA or related (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Procurement software

Job description

Job Summary:

The Associate Director of Procurement serves as unit director and oversees the Procurement function of the TCU Facilities department, as well as supports Central TCU Procurement and other university departments in matters involving procurement or effective use of material resources. The position has oversight over the facilities contract process, develops sourcing strategy, and administers policies to ensure cost effective procurement, as well as fair and competitive vendor selection. The Associate Director of Procurement also executes the University’s fleet purchase program.

Duties & Essential Job Functions:

1. Leads all procurement activities within the TCU Facilities department including construction services and university-wide facility-related materials and services; supports broader university procurement functions, as needed.
2. Develops sourcing strategy; assesses new procurement methods by evaluating the use of electronic procurement options, purchasing cooperatives, competitive bids, lease versus purchase options, volume discount contracts and other potential cost-saving options; implement strategy as appropriate.
3. Ensures healthy vendor competition, objectivity and independence in the vendor selection process. Reviews vendor performance and purchasing statistics; makes recommendation and reports to facility management and university leadership as appropriate.
4. Supports supplier diversity goals through available sourcing resources, outreach efforts, and supplier engagement activities.
5. Manages the centralized purchasing function for TCU Facilities by providing strategic oversight of procurement operations, driving continuous process improvement, maintaining and updating standard operating procedure, partnering with stakeholders to ensure operational efficiency, compliance, segregation of duties, and strong financial controls.
6. Administers and enforces procurement policy and procedures for the TCU Facilities departments in accordance with university policy; ensures adequate training for TCU Facilities Staff.
7. Ensures effective use of approved funds for budget control and accountability; reviews department metrics and key performance indicators; implement measures for continuous improvement.
8. Identifies potential opportunities for university-wide cost savings; make recommendations to university management, and implement approved recommendations.
9. Provides procurement services for the university’s fleet, working closely with the university fleet officer, to manage vehicle replacements and disposals.
10. Provides leadership, direction, coaching, and performance management for procurement staff and promotes professional development and continuous improvement.
11. Liaises between the Facilities Department and University procurement, legal and contract administration, Risk Management, and outside legal consultants, as required.
12. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelors’ degree in business or related field.
• 8 years’ experience in contracting, procurement and material management in an industrial, governmental, institutional, public works or commercial maintenance activity including 5 years of supervisory experience.

Preferred Education & Experience:

• Degree in Business Administration, Procurement (Supply Chain) or related field of study.
• Experience in higher education.
• Experience leading complex procurements or strategic sourcing initiatives.

Required Licensure/Certification/Specialized Training:

• Valid Texas Driver’s License.
• Must be insurable under the university motor vehicle requirements.

Preferred Licensure, Certification, and/or Specialized Training:

• CPSM, CPCM, or other Procurement, Supply Chain, and/or Contracting training and certification(s)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of Purchasing Cooperatives
• Knowledge of leadership techniques.
• Knowledge of customer service techniques.
• Knowledge of local, state and federal laws or regulations required to perform the job.
• Knowledge of AI and a proactive interest in monitoring its evaluation to identify opportunities for integrating emerging tools into our workflows.
• Skill in some or all components of Microsoft Office.
• Ability to clearly communicate with all levels of personnel, including, but not limited to, maintenance workers, Professors, and Vice Chancellors
• Ability to research vendors and market conditions to make informed decisions.
• Ability to evaluate and make recommendations to improve operations.
• Ability to negotiate vendor contracts.
• Ability to network with peer institutions
• Ability to coordinate across departmental lines to implement procurement opportunities
• Ability to balance multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to administer purchasing policies and procedures in a collaborative manner.
• Ability to develop and conduct training programs.
• Ability to negotiate vendor contracts.
• Ability to network with peer institutions
• Ability to coordinate across departmental lines to implement procurement opportunities
• Ability to balance multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to administer purchasing policies and procedures in a collaborative manner.
• Ability to evaluate current purchasing technology.
• Ability to develop and conduct training programs.

TCU Core Competencies:

University Core Competencies definitions may be found on the Human Resources website and in the staff performance management system.

Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations):

• Visual acuity to read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information.
• Able to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication.
• Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.
• Lifting and moving objects and equipment up to 10 lbs.

Work Environment:

• Work is indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours.
• There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.
• This is an on-campus and in-person role.

Employment Values Statement:

Texas Christian University values Integrity, Engagement, Community, and Excellence in the workplace. TCU treats applicants and employees with fairness and respect. TCU hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and their commitment to making a positive impact on our student-centered community. TCU is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable employment laws. TCU fairly considers all qualified individuals, ensuring we are a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.