Manager, Commodities & Services Contracts

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan State University is seeking a Manager for Commodities & Services Contracts to lead procurement across commodities, supplies, professional services, IT and equipment.

You will supervise staff, ensure compliance with Maryland procurement laws and university policies, develop solicitation documents, and drive complex contracting processes to support institutional goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; substitution allowed with procurement experience per policy.
• Five years of procurement officer experience in public sector or higher education.
• At least one year as a lead procurement officer.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and supervise procurement activities for commodities and services.
• Review requisitions and specifications to determine compliant procurement methods.
• Develop solicitation documents, including evaluation criteria and contracts.
• Lead pre-bid conferences, site visits, and negotiations.
• Evaluate bids and recommend contract awards.
• Administer contracts post-award and monitor performance.
• Ensure compliance with MBE/VSBE/SBR/SBPP reporting requirements.
• Supervise procurement staff and provide training in contract management.
• Prepare BPW documentation and provide procurement testimony when required.
• Support audits, reporting, policy development, and strategic initiatives.

Skills

Procurement experience

Public sector procurement

Contract management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Posting Details

Job Title: Manager, Commodities & Services Contracts

Division: Division of Finance & Administration

Department: Procurement & Property Control Department

Work Status: Full Time

Position Category: Staff

Pay Range: $100,000 - $120,000 / year

Fund Source: State Support

Job Summary

Manages and administers the University’s commodities, supplies, professional services, information technology, and equipment procurement activities. Ensures all procurements comply with State of Maryland procurement regulations and University policies. Supervises procurement staff and coordinates complex contracting processes to support institutional goals.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and supervise procurement activities, including IFBs, RFPs, and sole-source procurements for commodities, supplies, professional services, information technology, and equipment.
• Review requisitions, specifications, and project scopes to determine appropriate procurement methods in compliance with State procurement law.
• Develop and manage solicitation documents, including evaluation criteria, contract terms, and performance standards.
• Lead pre-bid/pre-proposal conferences, site visits, contractor discussions, and negotiation processes.
• Evaluate bids/proposals, determine responsiveness/responsibility, and recommend contract awards.
• Administer contracts post-award, including monitoring performance, compliance, modifications, renewals, and dispute resolution.
• Ensure compliance with MBE / VSBE / SBR / SBPP participation and reporting requirements.
• Supervise and mentor procurement staff; assign work, review output, and provide training in contract management.
• Prepare Board of Public Works (BPW) documentation, reports, and presentations, and provide procurement testimony if required.
• Support audits, reporting, policy development, and strategic initiatives to improve procurement efficiency.

Requested Minimum Qualifications

Education Required: Bachelor's degree; procurement experience, as listed below, may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education in addition to the minimum experience required.

Indicate number of years; one year of experience is equivalent to one year of working 40 hours per week; experience will be pro-rated for part-time.

Experience Required: Five years of experience as a procurement officer in a public sector or higher education setting, specifically soliciting, evaluating, and awarding contracts; one year as a lead procurement officer.

Other Preferences for Consideration

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Experience Preferred: Professional services, IT procurement focus.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number: ST01613

Number of Vacancies: 1

Job Open Date: 07/24/2026

Job Close Date: 08/14/2026

Special Instructions to Applicant

Please enter two professional references on the References page of the application.

Supplemental Questions

1. * Do you possess a bachelor's degree, or do you have additional procurement experience that may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education?
   • Yes
   • No
2. * Do you have at least five (5) years of experience as a procurement officer?
   • Yes
   • No
3. * Do you have experience as a procurement officer in a public sector or higher education environment?
   • Yes
   • No
4. * Do you have experience soliciting, evaluating, and awarding procurement contracts?
   • Yes
   • No
5. * Do you have at least one (1) year of experience serving as a lead procurement officer?
   • Yes
   • No
6. * Are you a current, past, or retired Morgan State University employee? Are you a current, past, or retired State employee? If YES to current, past, or retired STATE employee, please state the agency. If not applicable, put N/A.

   (Open Ended Question)

7. * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
   • Diversity In Higher Education
   • Inside Higher Ed
   • Agency Referral
   • Advertisement/Publication
   • Personal Referral
   • Website
   • MSU Careers Website
   • Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
   • Insight to Diversity

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents