Manager, Construction and Capital, Procurement and Payment Services

Inside Higher Ed; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Wake Forest University is seeking a Manager, Construction and Capital to lead procurement for large-scale construction and capital projects in Winston-Salem. The role focuses on developing contracts, evaluating bids, and aligning spend with annual procurement requirements.

You will mentor a team, collaborate with campus customers and strategic suppliers to implement sourcing initiatives emphasizing quality, cost, delivery, and reliability, while supporting sustainability goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 7+ years of related experience in construction procurement.
• Strong specification writing, negotiations, and supplier management.
• 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 Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing for architects, engineers, contractors, and vendors for large construction projects.
• Serve as primary contact for contractual matters related to capital projects.
• Evaluate CMAR and non-CMAR supplier performance and bids.
• Plan, organize and execute procurement for complex construction projects with cross-functional teams.
• Evaluate bids to identify cost savings and implement strategies.
• Collect and analyze data on capital/construction spend to support category strategy development.
• Collaborate with Facilities Planning & Construction to translate needs into sourcing plans.
• Develop category strategies and benchmark procurement processes.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Analytical ability

Decision making

Technical writing

Presentation skills

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Google Workspace

MS Office Suite

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. The role will 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. The role includes 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.

Job Description

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.

• Evaluating supplier performance in Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) and non‑CMAR relationships.

• Review the CMARs sub‑contractor bidding process and evaluate how they perform 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 the submitted bids, identify potential areas for cost savings, and implement effective strategies to achieve these savings.

• Serves as the 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.

• Collaborates with stakeholders, including the Facilities Planning & Construction team to assess needs and organize business requirements into comprehensive sourcing plans.

• Analyses market trends to identify opportunities in support of category strategies.

• Develops category strategies, leverages spend, and yields high supplier performance.

• Benchmarks strategic sourcing and contracting processes with other institutions.

• Reviews departmental requisitions and orders to ensure the purchase is within reasonable tolerances, has received approval, and is appropriate.

• Uses best judgment to review factors including, appropriate method of purchase, dollar value, purchase quantity, unit of measure, etc.

• Manages and executes supplier quotes, proposals, and bids for all goods and services.

• Manages pre‑solicitation and pre‑bid conferences and site visits.

• Leads and assists with complex bids and contract negotiations.

• Ensures compliance with federal and state laws and other regulatory guidance.

• Incorporates environmental sustainability goals into category strategies.

• Promotes social responsibility programs and improves the University’s awareness, engagement, and support of global citizenship and community outreach initiatives.

• Supervises Procurement professionals and coordinates team project priorities, performance management, education and development, and goal setting.

• Assesses, identifies, and develops Procurement Specialists skills through collaborative feedback on customer service, category management, and communication skills.

• Promotes a culture of innovation and value creation.

• Manages the full personnel life cycle of subordinate employees.

• Has responsibility for the full contract management life cycle.

• Advises University customers on processes and behavior to receive optimal cost, quality, delivery, and reliability performance from suppliers.

• Evaluates and recommends Group Purchasing Organizations for best‑value opportunities.

• Develops & reviews supplier performance against negotiated service level agreements.

• Prepare reports on procurement activities, contract status, and cost savings for stakeholders and senior leadership.

Other Functions

• Collaborates with customers and suppliers to resolve invoice and payment problems.

• Partners internally with Payment Services leadership to understand and negotiate the best payment strategy for suppliers and commodity types.

• Supports financial and compliance audits and contract performance reviews.

• Orchestrates customer value in significant ways beyond just cost savings.

• Demonstrates excellent customer service.

• Moves adeptly from strategic thinking to tactical execution.

• Remains solutions‑oriented and solves complicated problems.

• Communicates 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.

Additional Job Description

Accountabilities

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

Physical Requirements

Work primarily involves sitting/standing, communicating with others to exchange information, operating a computer, and assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Environmental Conditions

Subject to inside environmental conditions. Not typically exposed to adverse environmental conditions

Time Type Requirement

Full time

Note to Applicant

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job‑related instructions and perform job‑related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

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 [phone].