Manager, Construction and Capital, Procurement and Payment Services

Wake Forest University; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem is seeking a Manager for Construction and Capital Procurement who will oversee all procurement activities for construction and capital projects. The ideal candidate will have over seven years of related experience, a bachelor's degree, and strong analytical abilities.

You will lead sourcing initiatives, mentor a team, and ensure compliance with federal and state laws while promoting sustainability and social responsibility. This full-time role requires excellent negotiation and supplier management skills.

Qualifications

• Seven+ years of related experience or equivalent education in construction procurement.
• Strong hands-on procurement abilities.
• Demonstrated skill in negotiation and supplier management.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives for construction projects.
• Serve as the primary contact for capital project contracts.
• Evaluate cost saving opportunities in procurement activities.
• Supervise procurement professionals and coordinate team projects.

Skills

Specification writing

Negotiations

Supplier management

Analytical skills

Decision-making abilities

MS Office proficiency

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Google Workplace

Job description

Job Description Summary

In direct support of the Director of Procurement, the Manager, Construction and Capital is responsible for developing construction and capital contracts and agreements that align with the University’s annual procurement requirements, ensuring optimal value. This role supports campus infrastructure and capital initiatives by analyzing spend and payment data in complex decision-making scenarios. The Manager must have a strong understanding of the construction industry and best practices in capital procurement. This role will oversee all procurement activities for construction and capital projects, develop comprehensive reporting capabilities, and recommend data‑driven procurement solutions to support the University community.

Additionally, the Manager will lead and mentor a team to effectively achieve departmental and University objectives, engaging with the Director in collaborative efforts with campus customers and strategic suppliers to implement sourcing initiatives focusing on quality, cost, delivery, and reliability. The Manager will progressively gain influence over decentralized campus procurement spending by establishing trust‑filled relationships and providing superior customer support and service.

Essential Functions

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives to identify and select, and pre‑negotiate pricing with qualified architects, engineers, contractors, and other vendors for large‑scale construction and renovation projects.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for contractual matters related to capital projects.
• Evaluate supplier performance in Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) and non‑CMAR relationships.
• Review the CMARs sub‑contractor bidding process and evaluate performance against agreed‑upon activities from a contract perspective.
• Effectively plan, organize and execute all procurement activities for complex construction and capital projects that involve a cross‑functional team.
• Evaluate submitted bids, identify potential cost savings, and implement effective strategies to achieve these savings.
• Lead in collecting and analyzing data around capital and construction spend and translating it into actionable information to support category strategy development with campus stakeholders.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, including the Facilities Planning & Construction team, to assess needs and organize business requirements into comprehensive sourcing plans.
• Analyze market trends to identify opportunities in support of category strategies.
• Develop category strategies, leverage spend, and enhance supplier performance.
• Benchmark strategic sourcing and contracting processes with other institutions.
• Review departmental requisitions and orders to ensure purchase is within reasonable tolerances, has received approval, and is appropriate.
• Use best judgment to review factors including appropriate method of purchase, dollar value, purchase quantity, unit of measure, etc.
• Manage and execute supplier quotes, proposals, and bids for all goods and services.
• Manage pre‑solicitation and pre‑bid conferences and site visits.
• Lead and assist with complex bids and contract negotiations.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state laws and other regulatory guidance.
• Incorporate environmental sustainability goals into category strategies.
• Promote social responsibility programs and improve the University’s awareness, engagement, and support of global citizenship and community outreach initiatives.
• Supervise procurement professionals and coordinate team project priorities, performance management, education and development, and goal setting.
• Assess, identify, and develop Procurement Specialists’ skills through collaborative feedback on customer service, category management, and communication skills.
• Promote a culture of innovation and value creation.
• Manage the full personnel life cycle of subordinate employees.
• Have responsibility for the full contract management life cycle.
• Advise university customers on processes and behavior to receive optimal cost, quality, delivery, and reliability performance from suppliers.
• Evaluate and recommend Group Purchasing Organizations for best‑value opportunities.
• Develop and review supplier performance against negotiated service level agreements.
• Prepare reports on procurement activities, contract status, and cost savings for stakeholders and senior leadership.

Other Functions

• Collaborate with customers and suppliers to resolve invoice and payment problems.
• Partner internally with Payment Services leadership to understand and negotiate the best payment strategy for suppliers and commodity types.
• Support financial and compliance audits and contract performance reviews.
• Orchestrate customer value in significant ways beyond just cost savings.
• Demonstrate excellent customer service.
• Move adeptly from strategic thinking to tactical execution.
• Remain solutions‑oriented and solve complicated problems.
• Communicate effectively.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Seven+ years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience in construction procurement.
• Demonstrated skill in specification writing, negotiations, and supplier management.
• Strong hands‑on procurement abilities.
• Strong analytical and decision‑making abilities.
• Strong technical and business writing and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Google Workplace.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Substantial experience managing construction procurement, including evaluation and management of CMAR relationships.

Accountabilities

• Responsible for own work and the work of any assigned subordinate employees.

Time Type Requirement

Full time

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status.

Accommodations for Applicants

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] or (336) 758‑4700.

Legal and Safety Requirements

Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.