Sourcing Director

The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia; Charlottesville, Virginia, Evanston Township (VA, MN, IL); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking university as a Sourcing Director, where your strategic leadership will drive impactful procurement initiatives. You will develop sourcing strategies that align with the university's mission while fostering relationships with suppliers and optimizing costs. This role offers the chance to lead a collaborative team, influence institutional strategy, and champion sustainable practices. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, you'll play a crucial role in enhancing procurement operations at one of the nation's leading public universities. If you are passionate about making a difference in higher education procurement, we invite you to apply.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in procurement or strategic sourcing, preferably in higher education.
• Proven track record in developing sourcing strategies for cost savings.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing and category management efforts across the university.
• Manage end-to-end procurement processes and supplier performance evaluations.

Skills

Strategic Sourcing

Supplier Engagement

Data Analytics

Negotiation

Leadership

Compliance Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Master's degree or law degree

Tools

Procurement Technologies

Supplier Management Tools

Job description

Be a Strategic Leader at UVA

Are you a visionary procurement professional with a passion for strategic sourcing, supplier engagement, and sustainable procurement? The University of Virginia is seeking a dynamic Sourcing Director to lead enterprise-wide sourcing strategies that elevate UVA's mission and financial stewardship. This is your opportunity to join a collaborative, mission-aligned procurement organization and make a tangible impact across one of the nation's top public universities.

Position Summary:

As the Sourcing Director in the Department of Procurement Services (PS), you will be a key leader within the CFO's organization in shaping and advancing the University of Virginia's procurement strategy. The Sourcing Director will drive strategic sourcing and category management efforts that align with UVA's mission and financial stewardship priorities. The Director will also champion initiatives for small and local businesses and sustainable procurement practices to align with the university's mission and values.

Why Join Us?

At UVAFinance, we are committed to excellence, innovation, and collaboration. As a valued leader on our team, you'll engage in work that drives university-wide impact and transformation. If you enjoy navigating complex challenges, cultivating high-performing teams, and influencing institutional strategy through procurement excellence, we welcome your application.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
   • Develop category-specific sourcing strategies that incorporate supplier market analysis, stakeholder input, sustainability, and UVA mission alignment.
   • Leverage data and category intelligence to inform strategy, increase contract utilization, and optimize sourcing decisions.
   • Champion a sourcing playbook framework to ensure consistency, strategic alignment, and continual refinement of category strategies.
   • Establish and maintain a formal supplier performance management program with feedback mechanisms and scorecards.
   • Curate UVA's catalog and Buy Guide to promote preferred supplier usage, reduce redundancy, and enable strategic sourcing outcomes.
   • Evaluate and effectively leverage cooperative contracts as appropriate, including those originated by VASCUPP peer institutions and the VHEPC.
   • Lead initiatives to engage small and local businesses and support sustainable procurement practices across the university.
2. Value Optimization
   • Identify and execute cost-saving and value-creation opportunities through strategic negotiation, supplier consolidation, and bulk purchasing.
   • Guide delegated buyers in applying value-based procurement practices that emphasize total cost of ownership and mission alignment.
   • Explore synergies with UVA Health System to drive volume-based savings.
3. Team Leadership and Development
   • Lead and manage sourcing teams, including workload distribution, performance oversight, and professional development.
   • Set clear goals, provide regular feedback, and foster a high-performance, collaborative, and supportive work environment.
   • Mentor junior procurement staff and assist with complex sourcing decisions and issue resolution.
4. Operational Analytics Interpretation
   • Use procurement data and KPIs to evaluate performance and uncover improvement opportunities.
   • Translate analytics into actionable insights to inform strategic decisions and enhance overall procurement performance.
5. Compliance Management
   • Partner with legal counsel to ensure all procurement activities and contracts comply with relevant laws, regulations, and university policies.
   • Review contracts to mitigate risks and ensure adherence to procurement-related legal and industry standards.
   • Collaborate with the Information Security Office and UVAFinance Compliance team to establish and maintain robust data protection protocols within procurement processes, ensuring the confidentiality and security of sensitive information.
6. Research Collaboration
   • Partner with the Office of the VP of Research to ensure compliance with funding agency regulations, intellectual property rights, and grants management protocols.
7. Procurement Process Management
   • Manage the end-to-end procurement process, including supplier selection, contract negotiation, supplier performance evaluation, and contract renewal.
   • Lead cross-functional teams to evaluate supplier proposals, select preferred suppliers, and establish long-term partnerships.
   • Monitor supplier performance and conduct regular reviews to identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with contractual agreements.
8. Continuous Improvement and Industry Expertise
   • Stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in strategic sourcing and procurement management.
   • Identify and implement process improvements to streamline procurement operations and drive continuous improvement.
   • Analyze spending patterns to identify cost-saving opportunities through strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier consolidation, and process optimization.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field. Master's degree, law degree, or other advanced degrees preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management, preferably in higher education or research institutions.
• Proven track record of developing and executing sourcing strategies that achieve cost savings and operational improvements.
• Strong leadership and team management skills with experience in fostering professional growth and high-performance teams.
• Expertise in procurement-related legal and regulatory requirements, contract management, and risk mitigation.
• Proficiency in procurement technologies, data analytics, and supplier management tools.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Core Competencies:

• Analytical Excellence: Leverages data to inform sourcing strategy and continuous improvement.
• Strategic Vision: Connects procurement initiatives to UVA's broader financial and mission-driven goals.
• Collaboration & Influence: Builds trust and productive partnerships with stakeholders and suppliers.
• Adaptability: Navigates complex environments with a commitment to innovation and resilience.
• Service Orientation: Centers university needs and delivers solutions that promote institutional success.

Ready to lead with purpose and impact?

Apply today and help shape the future of procurement at the University of Virginia.

This position will remain open until filled. This is an exempt level, benefited position. The University will perform background checks on all hires (if required) prior to employment. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. For questions about the position or the application process, please contact Daniel Strong, Senior Recruiter at [e-mail].

Please apply through the University job board, Careers at UVA, and search for R0071999.

There is an in-office expectation of 3 days per week.

Anticipated Hiring Range: $130,000 - $175,000 per year, commensurate with qualifications, and eligible for university benefits.

Please submit a resume and a cover letter to be considered for this position. Applications without both will not receive full consideration.

Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs' or through their 'Jobs Hub'.

Minimum requirements include a Bachelor's degree and eight years of relevant procurement, payables, and supervisory experience. Experience in industry contracting, administration, and detailed knowledge of procurement policies is also required.

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers, with occasional travel to attend meetings and programs.

The University of Virginia is committed to diversity and equal opportunity, welcoming applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, and other protected categories.