Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager

Brown University; Providence (RI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown University seeks a Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead strategic sourcing initiatives across IT and other categories. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Sourcing, the role drives spend analysis, RFX processes, contract lifecycle management, and supplier performance.

The SSSM guides the SPC team, provides training on RFPs and e-sourcing, and collaborates with OIT and campus partners to deliver savings, governance, and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Experience identifying and achieving savings through category strategies.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills with measurable savings.
• Proven ability to negotiate and administer complex procurement activities.

Responsibilities

• Analyze spend data and purchasing patterns to identify strategic sourcing opportunities.
• Develop and manage action plans and sourcing strategies to achieve cost savings.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to support category management and sourcing events.
• Negotiate and monitor contracts and conduct supplier business reviews.
• Track savings and KPIs for contracts and services.

Skills

Spend analysis

Category management

Sourcing strategy

Contract negotiation

Supplier performance

RFP process

e-sourcing

Stakeholder collaboration

Spend reporting

Procurement systems

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Contract lifecycle management

Automated bidding tool

e-sourcing software

Supplier performance management system

Job description

Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager

Brown University

Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Sourcing, the SeniorStrategic Sourcing Manager (SSSM) requires an experienced strategicsourcing professional with a proven track record of success inidentifying and achieving savings targets through the developmentand execution of category strategies including spend analysis, RFXprocesses, contract negotiation / creation / lifecycle management,savings tracking, and supplier relationship / performancemanagement. This position fulfills the lead role on the StrategicSourcing Team in the Office of Strategic Procurement &Contracts (SPC) to manage and provide guidance and training toother team members and end users on systems and processes relatedto the RFP process and utilization of e-sourcing and supplierperformance management technology. While the individual in thisrole will have a primary focus on the IT category and work closelywith stakeholders in the University's Office of InformationTechnology (OIT) to support both small and enterprise wideinitiatives, they will also be responsible for category managementto support other areas including, but not limited to, Athletics andDining Services, as well as SPC special initiatives.

The SSSM is also responsible for spend reporting and metricsrelated to key initiatives. Reviewing and approving procurementrequisitions and vetting new supplier requests for relevantcategories is also part of this role to ensure compliance withUniversity policies and to redirect and provide guidance todepartments as necessary.

Major Responsibilities

• Analyze spend data and purchasing patterns to identify andpromote strategic sourcing opportunities to leverage buying powerand shift buying behaviors to strategic partners.
• Develop and manage action plans and execute sourcing strategiesto achieve cost savings/ avoidance and other applicableobjectives.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to support category management,recommend and execute strategic sourcing events, develop criteriafor evaluation & selection of proposals.
• Negotiate/renegotiate contracts; manage and monitor supplierrelationships and contract performance, and conduct regularbusiness reviews.
• Track quantifiable savings; develop, monitor, and report on keymetrics (spend on contracts, savings and other benefits captured,etc.).
• Develop key performance indicators for suppliers and negotiateto award competitive strategic contracts that result in costreductions and improved service levels.
• Engage with and promote the use of the University's grouppurchasing cooperatives and strategic alliances in order to takeadvantage of special pricing and competitively awarded contractsmade available through these memberships.
• Review and vetting of new supplier requests.

• Continually develop and maintain category managementexpertise.

• Manage project requests to prioritize and identifytimelines.
• Collaborate with end users/stakeholders to develop RFP/bidpackages (ensuring alignment with University goals, bid thresholds,& policies) utilizing automated bidding tool when appropriate,and facilitate the process with internal and externalstakeholders.
• Develop an understanding of business needs and unique servicelevel requirements and availability of resources and conduct marketresearch to inform sourcing strategies.
• Promote the inclusion of socially responsible procurementpractices (diversity & local suppliers, sustainability efforts,etc.) in the University's bid process.
• Project Management of the bid process from initiation to awardto contract development/negotiation/execution and post-awardperformance management, and coordinate with departmentrepresentatives and/or review committee members through review& selection process.

• Review and approve purchase requisitions to ensure thatdocumentation requirements are met and to determine appropriatenessof purchase according to the University's policies that supportprocurement transactions (e.g. supplier selection, inclusion oflocal and small business suppliers, sustainability, etc.,) andUniform Guidance requirements for purchases charged to federalfunds.
• Manage and conduct quarterly analysis on utilization ofsupplier punchouts in the University's e-procurement marketplace toensure accuracy of pricing and information and work with suppliersas necessary to resolve any identified issues, implement changes,and to initiate and amend contract terms as needed.
• Responsible for management and oversight of the e-sourcing andsupplier performance management technology
• Responsible for reporting on key spend areas and metrics
• Consult on Updates to policies related to purchasing
• Consult on Updates to policies related to purchasing
• Work closely with the director and other stakeholders onprocess improvement initiatives, including the creation orrefinement of strategic sourcing templates and usage of technology/ tools and standard operating procedures related to the RFPprocess.
• Work on other process improvement initiatives and specialprojects as assigned
• Lead planning and execution of SPC Annual Supplier Summit
• Lead outreach, communication, and follow up efforts with localand disadvantaged suppliers
• Influence the supplier selection process by promoting theengagement and inclusion of small, local, diverse suppliers acrosscampus
• Work with other departments and external organizations asapplicable to supplier engagement and development initiatives
• Provide system and process training to Strategic Sourcing Team- advising on the RFP process utilizing automated bidding tool andtemplates, leading the process with internal and externalstakeholders, and standard operating procedures (ensuring alignmentwith University goals, policies and consistency of process).
• Provide guidance on the development and management of bidprocesses from initiation to award, including contractdevelopment/negotiation/execution, and coordination with departmentrepresentatives and/or review committee members through review& selection process. Assist with analysis of proposals/bids andprovide consultative guidance on ethics, process, and supplierselection.
• Provide advice and guidance on the supplier transition process,maintaining continuity of service during the transition from onesupplier to another, as well as on requirements for termination ofexisting contracts.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of experience andeducation in an applicable field
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience (strategic sourcing /procurement / category management / supply chain related)
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Strong analytical skills and experience developing andreporting on metrics and quantifiable savings
• Experience and proven ability to negotiate, administer andbring to fruition complex procurement activities and biddingprocesses
• Experience in supplier relationship management, includingoversight of supplier performance and contract compliance
• Experience in contract creation, review and negotiation -preferably using a contract lifecycle management system
• Ability to assess organization's needs, communicate those needsto the supplier community, and evaluate contracts to determinetechnical compliance
• Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve complex issueseffectively and independently

• Ability to build relationships and develop internal andexternal partnerships

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of automated procurement systems
• Knowledge of federal regulations (e.g. Uniform Guidance)
• Professional procurement certification such as CPP or CPPM
• Experience with procurement in a university setting
• Knowledge of IT procurement

Criminal and education Background check required.Please include a cover letter when submitting your applicationmaterials.Benefits of Working at Brown:

Please review additional information on Benefits of Working atBrown.

Recruiting Start Date

2026-09-11

Job Posting Title

Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager

Department

Strategic Procurement and Contracts

Grade

Grade 10

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Position Work Location

Hybrid

Submission Guidelines

The designated Position WorkLocation for each position determines the approved modalityof work. Positions are classified based on the operational andbusiness needs of the department and may be designated as on-site,hybrid, or remote.

Employees with a designated position work location as remote mustreside and perform their work in a state where Brown University isregistered to do business. Brown University is a registeredemployer in the following states: Rhode Island, California,Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York,New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington, D.C.

Please note that to be considered for a staff position at BrownUniversity, you must submit a separate application for eachposition you wish to be considered for. Applications are reviewedonly for the specific position to which they are submitted and arenot automatically considered for future openings.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact [e-mail].

Brown is an E-Verify Employer.

EEO Statement

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibitsdiscrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person'srace, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin,disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity,gender expression, or any other characteristic protected underapplicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs,and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individualson the basis of qualifications and performance. The Universitymaintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance withapplicable law.