Associate Director of Procurement Operations - #000040

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee (NC)

On-site

USD 110,000 - 140,000

Full time

11 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Tuition waivers

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Western Carolina University seeks an Associate Director of Procurement Operations to lead system configuration, maintenance, and training for university purchasing. The role reports to the Chief Purchasing Officer and ensures policy compliance across all campus transactions.

The position oversees the Jaggaer, P-Card, WORKS, and Banner Purchasing modules, coordinating with internal partners to promote efficient, compliant procurement operations. On-site in Cullowhee, NC.

Qualifications

Thorough knowledge of procurement practices and relevant university/State requirements.
Experience administering configurations, user access, workflows, and supplier data in financial systems.
Ability to analyze purchasing activity and coordinate effective resolutions.

Responsibilities

Oversee procurement systems, including e-procurement platform and Banner Purchasing Module.
Coordinate supplier enablement, compliance, reporting, and training for campus users.
supervise staff in purchasing processes per university/state requirements.

Skills

Procurement practices

System administration

Data analysis

Documentation

Policy compliance

Team supervision

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Associate’s degree + 2 years experience

Tools

Banner

Jaggaer

WORKS system

PCard purchasing

Canvas

Job description

Associate Director of Procurement Operations - #000040

Working Title Associate Director of Procurement Operations - #000040

Department

Department Purchasing & Accounts Payable

Anticipated Hiring Range

Anticipated Hiring Range Based On qualifications/experience, internal equity, and departmental budget restrictions.

About WCU

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes ‘Best Employers’ lists each year. Including:

2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.
2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South. Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service. WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act ( EHRA ). Reporting to the Chief Purchasing Officer, this position serves as the department’s primary administrator and operational resource for its procurement systems, including the e-procurement platform, Jaggaer, P-Card program and WORKS system, and Banner Purchasing Module. The position oversees system configuration and maintenance, supplier enablement, transaction and policy compliance, production support, testing, reporting and analysis, and training for core offices and campus users. It evaluates processes, coordinates with internal and external partners, and leads continuous‑improvement efforts to promote reliable, efficient, and compliant procurement operations. The position also supervises at least one support staff member responsible for carrying out purchasing processes in accordance with university and State requirements.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of generally accepted procurement practices and applicable university and State purchasing requirements.
Knowledge of procurement and financial systems, with the ability to administer configurations, user access, approval workflows, supplier data, and transaction processing.
Ability to analyze purchasing activity and system performance, identify processing or compliance issues, troubleshoot complex problems, and coordinate effective resolutions.
Ability to interpret and clearly communicate policies, procedures, and system requirements and to develop documentation, training, and user guidance for varied audiences.
Ability to manage competing priorities, collaborate effectively with internal and external partners, and provide supervision and work direction that support consistent, compliant operations.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or other immigration‑related assistance.
Bachelor’s degree; or Associate’s degree and two years of related experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to applicants with experience in Banner, Jaggaer, Canvas, and PCard purchasing systems; knowledge of the State of North Carolina Purchasing Program; and experience managing and administering a corporate purchasing card program.

Position Type

Position Type Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week

Number of Hours Per Week 40

Number of Months Per Year

Number of Months Per Year 12

Background/E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard‑copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Required Documents