Senior Procurement Officer – Military Research Support

University of Alabama in Huntsville; Huntsville (AL); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Alabama in Huntsville seeks a Senior Procurement Officer to manage time-sensitive, military-related research procurements, ensuring FAR/DFARS compliance and DPAS adherence. This role requires handling CUI and classified programs, coordinating with legal and compliance, and maintaining rigorous audit-ready records.

Ideal candidates bring a Master’s degree plus 8–10 years of federal procurement experience, strong MS Office skills, and the ability to obtain a security clearance.

Qualifications

• Master's degree with 8–10 years full-time experience or equivalent.
• Knowledge of MS Office Suite.
• Must be a US Citizen (No Dual Citizenship).
• Must be able to obtain/maintain a security clearance.
• Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and federal procurement rules.
• Proven ability to support CUI and classified research programs (DoD/military sponsors).
• Proficiency with DPAS requirements and priority-rated orders.
• Minimum 8–10 years of procurement experience with federal contracts (university/research/defense).

Responsibilities

• Perform research and serve as the primary procurement lead for university research programs supporting military sponsors, including CUI, classified, and special operations work.
• Manage procurement processes in full compliance with FAR, DFARS, and other applicable federal and institutional regulations.
• Ensure adherence to DPAS-rated order requirements and provide guidance on prioritized procurements.
• Support research projects with accelerated timelines, including programs with six-month performance periods or less.
• Collaborate with principal investigators, sponsored programs, legal, and compliance units to align procurement with mission and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct supplier negotiations, review quotes and contracts, terms and conditions, and issue purchase orders per guidelines.
• Maintain audit-ready records and schedule of procurement activity related to sensitive and classified research.
• Monitor regulatory updates, changes in federal guidance, and university procurement policies.

Skills

US Citizenship

Security clearance

FAR/DFARS knowledge

Contract negotiation

Procurement leadership

Education

Master's degree in science/engineering/business

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Senior Procurement Officer – Military Research Support

Job no: 502526
Department: Rotorcraft Systems Engineering Simulation Center
Work type: Staff Full-time Exempt
Location: Alabama
Categories: Research - Engineering

Purpose of the Position

The Rotorcraft System Engineering and Simulation Center is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Procurement Officer, Military Research Support to support the unique and time-sensitive procurement needs of research programs supporting military initiatives, including work involving Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), classified programs, and support to special operations. This individual will be responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable federal acquisition regulations (FAR), Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) requirements, and institutional policies while facilitating rapid and compliant acquisition of goods and services. Many of these programs operate under short performance periods, often six months or less.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Perform research and serve as the primary procurement lead for university research programs supporting military sponsors, including those involving CUI, classified, and special operations work.
• Manage procurement processes in full compliance with FAR, DFARS, and other applicable federal and institutional regulations.
• Ensure adherence to DPAS-rated order requirements and provide subject matter guidance on prioritized procurements.
• Support research projects with accelerated timelines, including some programs with performance periods of six months or less.
• Work closely with and collaborate with staff principal investigators, sponsored programs, legal counsel, and compliance units to ensure procurement aligns with both mission and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct supplier negotiations, review quotes and contracts, terms and conditions, and issue purchase orders in accordance with all applicable guidelines
• Manage and maintain detailed audit-ready records and schedule of procurement activity related to sensitive and classified research efforts
• Manage and monitor regulatory updates, changes in federal guidance, and university policies affecting procurement operations

• Master's degree - preferably in science, engineering, or business with 8 - 10 years full-time work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and years of experience.
• Knowledge of MS Office Suite
• Must be a US Citizenship (No Dual Citizenship)
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and relevant federal statutes and procurement rules.
• Proven ability to support CUI and classified research programs, including work with DoD or military-related sponsors.
• Proficiency with DPAS requirements and handling priority-rated orders.
• At minimum of 8-10 years of procurement experience with federal contracts, preferably in a university, research, or defense-related environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience managing short-duration programs and working under strict deadlines preferred.
• Ability to work independently and manage high-stakes procurement processes with minimal oversight strongly preferred.
• High energy person with a strong desire to assure program success desired.
• Acquisition Planning & Market Research preferred
• Develop acquisition plans in coordination with program managers, legal, and budget offices strongly preferred.
• Conduct and document market research per FAR Part 10 to determine commerciality, competition, and acquisition approach desired.
• Prepare Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs) and Justifications for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOCs), when applicable preferred.

Compliance and Oversight Responsibilities

• Ensure Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) entries are accurate.
• Apply Defense Priorities and Allocation System (DPAS) ratings when the contract involves national defense priorities.

Certifications for Procurement Professionals

• Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM) – Offered by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA); focuses on FAR.
• Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) – Also NCMA; broader contract management knowledge, including commercial and government environments.
• Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Certifications – Required for acquisition professionals within the DoD.
• Certified Public Procurement Officer, Certified Public Procurement Buyer – Offered by the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council; broader than federal-specific, but useful.
• Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) – Offered by the National Institute of Governmental Procurement; broader than federal-specific, but useful.
• Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) – Required for federal civilian agency contracting professionals.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) (optional) – Helpful for procurement officers who manage contract lifecycles.
• Ensure proper use of contract types (e.g., firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, etc.).
• Include applicable (Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) ratings and FAR/DFARS clauses in contracts solicitations.
• Understand Contract Award and Negotiations
• Understand post award filing under FAR regulations.

Published Salary (if available)

$103,292 - $132,250

Advertised: May 30 2025 Central Daylight Time

Please note, job openings are posted for a minimum of three (3) business days and may be removed from the job posting board and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is an equal opportunity employer (EOE), including an EOE of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.