Procurement Operations Manager

Recent Jobs : Human Resources : Swarthmore College; Swarthmore (Delaware County); On-site; USD 76,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Collaborative work environment

Stunning campus

Job summary

Swarthmore College seeks a Procurement Operations Manager to manage the procurement function, overseeing daily operations and the implementation of Workday Procurement systems. The role includes liaising with departmental buyers and ensuring compliance with procurement standards.

The ideal candidate holds a bachelor's degree and has at least 5 years of relevant experience, demonstrating strong problem-solving capabilities and attention to detail. A collaborative environment with excellent benefits awaits you.

Qualifications

• 5 years of job-related experience or equivalent education.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of procurement procedures.
• Superior problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations in sourcing and contract management.
• Serve as primary liaison for sourcing with Facilities.
• Lead and manage RFP/RFQ/RFI sourcing events.

Skills

Problem Solving

Attention to Detail

Technology Skills

Change Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Suite

Workday

Job description

Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‑acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

The Procurement Office at Swarthmore College is a team of three with responsibilities for procurement, strategic sourcing, contract management, supplier management, and travel/expense management. The College is currently implementing Workday (go‑live is October 1, 2026), and the Procurement Office will oversee the procurement, expense, supplier accounts, strategic sourcing, and contract lifecycle management modules on the Workday platform.

The opportunity:

The role of the Procurement Operations Manager is to support the College’s procurement function by managing the daily operations of the office, including sourcing, contract management, procurement, and system/policy training. This position will play a significant role in the implementation and rollout of Workday Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, and Contract Lifecycle Management. The incumbent will be the primary liaison with departmental buyers throughout the College by helping to promote procurement guidelines and practices. This position will work closely with the Director of Procurement to ensure College procurement standards and supplier qualifications are met.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing program to meet needs of College departments and identify strategic suppliers and/or publicly available contracts that add value to the College through cost savings, improved product/service quality, strategic partnerships, and diversity & sustainability initiatives.
• Serve as primary liaison to Facilities for sourcing, support, training and Finance policy compliance.
• Manage assigned portfolio of RFP/RFQ/RFI sourcing events from development to award including role as primary communication links between the College and bidders, managing sourcing event schedule, performing bid analysis, leading interviews and contract execution.
• Manage and maintain assigned portfolio of contracts and related documentation, in particular for Facilities (construction, design, consulting and standard services agreements) but also including standard service agreements across campus departments in collaboration with the Director of Procurement.
• Assist in the maintenance of the Workday procurement (including supplier punchout catalogs), strategic sourcing, and contract lifecycle management modules.
• Provide procurement policy training and support to departmental buyers.
• Identify and resolve performance issues with suppliers to ensure customer satisfaction.

Who you are:

• Problem Solver: You tackle challenges head‑on with superior problem‑solving skills and fiduciary integrity.
• Detail Oriented: Your meticulous nature ensures careful management of contracts, supplier relations, and compliance with procurement policies.
• Technology Savvy: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or Google Suite, you incorporate technology to enhance procurement efficiency, with preferred knowledge of Workday procurement systems.
• Change Leader: Your experience and enthusiasm for system implementations, like Workday, enable you to lead successfully through transitions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field and 5 years of job‑related experience or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of the job and of related procedures and policies.
• Superior fiduciary integrity, diplomacy, and problem‑solving skills.
• Additional training and/or prior experience in purchasing, contracts, and insurance.
• Demonstrated computer skills with Microsoft Office Suite or Google Suite, including competency with Excel and/or Google Sheets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education procurement or finance.
• Appropriate purchasing certification is preferred or documented progress toward completion.
• Supplier management or service contractor management experience.
• Demonstrated experience with Workday Procurement in a higher ed environment.

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world’s most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420‑acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume, including a cover letter by June 12, 2026. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled. A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. If you have experience that meets any of the preferred qualifications, please include a detailed explanation of any such experience in your cover letter and how it meets the preferred qualification(s).

The market range for this position is $76,000-$82,000 per year, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

PA Criminal Clearance Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

Education Verification Required by Position

An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.

Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.