Director- Procurement

Central Alabama Water CAW; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Alabama Water CAW seeks a Director- Procurement to lead enterprise-wide sourcing, governance, and risk management. You will align procurement with capital plans, ensure compliance with Alabama State Bid Law, and supervise the Purchasing Division, including budget responsibilities and supplier performance improvements.

In this executive role you will negotiate major contracts, manage high-value RFx processes, advise the CFO and Board on procurement strategy, and foster cross-department

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
• 12+ years procurement leadership experience in public-sector or highly regulated environments.
• Extensive knowledge of Alabama State Bid Law or equivalent procurement statutes.
• Experience with RFx, contracts, supplier governance, and executive-level stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for procurement and supply chain strategy, aligning with capital plans and regulatory requirements.
• Set procurement governance, policies, procedures, and internal controls in line with laws and board policies.
• Oversee all competitive solicitations (RFBs, RFQs, RFIs, RFPs) for best-value outcomes.
• Lead major contracts and supplier relationships; negotiate high-value, long-term agreements.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business/Procurement or related field

Master’s Degree preferred

Tools

Procurement systems (ERP)

Contract management

RFx processes

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Director- Procurement

Executive Full Time Birmingham, AL, US

Job Information

Job Title: Director- Procurement Department: Procurement

Reporting Relationship: Chief Finance Officer FLSA Status: Exempt

Grade: O

General Responsibilities

Provide enterprise-wide executive leadership for the procurement and supply chain function, ensuring strategic sourcing, regulatory compliance, fiscal stewardship, and risk management across the organization. Align procurement strategy with organizational objectives, capital planning, and long-term financial sustainability, while ensuring full compliance with Alabama State Bid Law and other applicable regulations. Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and the Board, overseeing supplier governance, contract strategy, and organizational procurement policy.

Essential Job Functions

• Action-oriented leader who establishes and leads the organization’s procurement and supply chain strategy, ensuring alignment with enterprise goals, capital improvement plans, and operational priorities.
• Set and own procurement governance, including policies, procedures, ethical standards, and internal controls that ensure compliance with Alabama State Bid Law, Board policies, and applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Provide executive oversight of all competitive solicitations, including RFBs, RFQs, RFIs, and RFPs, ensuring legal sufficiency, risk mitigation, and best-value outcomes for the organization.
• Serve as the authority for major contracts, supplier relationships, and strategic sourcing initiatives; lead or approve negotiations for high-value, high-risk, or long-term agreements.
• Advise executive leadership and the Board on procurement risks, market conditions, supplier performance, and cost-containment opportunities; present procurement strategies, exceptions, and recommendations as required.
• Oversee and develop organizational procurement capability, including talent development, succession planning, performance management, and workforce planning within the Purchasing Division.
• Direct the procurement budget and financial oversight, ensuring cost controls, transparency, audit readiness, and alignment with approved departmental and enterprise budgets.
• Partner with senior leaders across all departments to proactively plan procurement timelines, optimize sourcing strategies, and ensure procurement supports operational continuity and capital delivery.
• Establish enterprise supplier management and performance standards, including evaluation metrics, contract compliance, dispute resolution, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure organizational readiness for audits, public scrutiny, and regulatory review; maintaining accurate records and documentation and overseeing responses to inquiries, protests, or legal challenges.
• Represent the organization externally with vendors, professional associations, regulatory bodies, and peer utilities; promote supplier variety, competition, and ethical procurement practices.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Public Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field required.

Master’s Degree preferred.

Certifications

Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) or Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) preferred

NIGP Certification preferred

Valid Driver’s License required

Experience

Minimum of twelve (12) years of progressively responsible procurement experience, including significant senior leadership experience in a public-sector or highly regulated environment. Demonstrated expertise in Alabama State Bid Law (or equivalent public procurement statutes), contract negotiation, enterprise risk management, and executive-level stakeholder engagement. Advanced knowledge of logistics, materials management, inventory control, and physical inventory in large, complex organizations.

**For internal candidates, the successful completion of the following internal leadership development programs may be counted towards the required supervisory experience:**

• Pre-Supervisory Program (STAR) = one year of supervisory experience
• Succession Planning Program = one year of supervisory experience

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand, walk or sit for extended periods of time
• Reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction
• Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard
• Communication skills using the spoken word
• Ability to see within normal parameters
• Ability to hear within normal range Ability to move about
• Moderate Noise (Business Office)
• Occasionally visit job sites, in plants or outdoors, exposed to extreme hot/cold and or wet weather conditions

Acknowledgement

I acknowledge that I have read (or had it read to me) this job description and I can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. I understand and will fulfill the duties and responsibilities listed in this job description and I understand this job description is not designed to be a complete list of all the duties and responsibilities of the position. I recognize that this position involves sensitive, private, and/or confidential information. I agree that I shall not use, publish, copy, or otherwise disclose to others any information that is sensitive, private and/or Confidential Information. I understand that the organization reserves the right to revise this job description at any time.