Procurement Lead, Contracts & Compliance (Higher Ed)

Another Source; Hattiesburg (MS); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS, seeks an Assistant Director of Procurement & Contract Services to lead day-to-day operations, oversee a four-person team, and ensure compliance across departments and locations.

Reporting to the Director of Procurement and Contract Services, you’ll manage formal solicitations, contracting, purchasing card processes, and staff development while ensuring university-wide procurement excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or eight years of related experience in procurement or purchasing.
• Ability to obtain CMPA within the first year.
• Knowledge of public procurement principles, practices, and competitive solicitations.
• Experience with contract administration (drafting, reviewing, negotiating).
• Ability to analyze procurement, financial, technical, and contractual information and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to train staff.
• Ability to manage multiple procurement activities, contracts, and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day procurement activities and ensure compliance.
• Supervise and develop procurement staff and ensure certifications.
• Evaluate complex purchasing requests and determine procurement methods.
• Lead formal solicitations and competitive procurement activities (bids, RFPs).
• Negotiate contracts, develop scopes of work, and coordinate with the GC Office when needed.
• Coordinate university contract management processes and training.
• Oversee purchasing card program and improve compliance and utilization.
• Serve as procurement resource across multiple university locations and standardize practices.

Skills

Bachelor's degree/education

Eight years experience

CMPA certification

Public procurement knowledge

Contract administration

Negotiation & contracts

Leadership & staff development

Vendor relations

Compliance & training

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or SCM

Master's degree in Business/SCM (preferred)

Job description

The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS, seeks an Assistant Director of Procurement & Contract Services to lead day-to-day operations, oversee a four-person team, and ensure compliance across departments and locations.

Reporting to the Director of Procurement and Contract Services, you’ll manage formal solicitations, contracting, purchasing card processes, and staff development while ensuring university-wide procurement excellence.