Strategic Contract Manager - Public Sector Purchasing

Central Michigan University; Mount Pleasant (MI); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI, seeks a Contract Manager to oversee complex contracts and procurement for university operations. You will independently make purchasing decisions and support the Director of Contracting & Purchasing.

Required qualifications include a four-year degree with at least three years' experience, strong financial analysis, negotiation, and communication skills. This role operates Monday–Friday with standard hours and annual salary range of $72,000 to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with four years of experience.
• At least 3 years of qualifying experience.
• Ability to perform complex financial analysis.
• Demonstrated organizational and prioritization skills.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to develop interpersonal relationships.
• Positive attitude and clear written/verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and reviews contracts and RFPs.
• Ensures compliance with contracting authority and policies.
• Trains CMU staff on contracting processes.
• Supports procurement technology platforms and processes.
• Coordinates ERP needs between areas and analysts.
• Oversees contract renewals for timely compliance.
• Liaises with departments on construction projects.
• Negotiates claims related to delivery, invoicing, or performance.
• Develops and revises purchasing procedures for efficiency.

Skills

Financial analysis

Negotiation

Communication

Organizational skills

Prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

ERP systems

Procurement software

Job description

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening. To apply for the position, please click the Apply for this Job link/button.

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU’s mission, vision, and leadership standards.


You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.

Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.

This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified. For best consideration, please submit application materials by October 22, 2026.

Position Information

Position Information

Posting Number

Posting Number S-3987

Position Number

Position Number 00420

Type of Recruitment

Type of Recruitment External

Position Title

Position Title CONTRACT MANAGER

Position Summary

Responsible for all activities concerning the purchase of complex commodity assignments of material and service for the operation of the university. Responsibilities include assignments of major contracts and significant authority to independently make purchasing decisions for the university. Serves as support and backup to the Director of Contracting & Purchasing.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and experience that equates to four years, preferably in business administration, legal studies, contracting or a closely related field.
At least 3 years’ experience of a qualifying nature.
Ability to perform complex financial analysis.
Demonstrated organizational and prioritization skills.
Strong analytical skills, sound decision making skills.
Demonstrated negotiation skills/confidence.
Ability to develop and maintain interpersonal relationships.
Demonstrated ability to project a positive attitude through excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree, such as Master of Business Administration ( MBA ), Juris Doctor (J.D.), or related field.
5 or more years of experience of a qualifying nature.
Certification in the procurement field ( CPM , CPPB , etc.)
Experience in public construction procurement.
Experience in contract management (including training of others).
Experience with Uniform Guidance procurement requirements.
Technical experience with a modern ERP including procurement and contract management systems.

Duties & Responsibilities

Prepares and reviews contracts (including independent contracts), processes RFP’s and purchase orders.
Ensures compliance with contracting authority on the University Contract Review Policy and Process
Trains CMU faculty and staff with contracting authority on the Contract Review Policy and Process
Supports the administration and optimization of procurement and contracting technology platforms and ensure related business processes and policies are in alignment with the technology platforms.
Coordinates Contracting and Purchasing Services ERP technical/programming needs between areas and ERP functional analyst.
Oversees Contract renewal process to ensure timely renewals in compliance with contractual requirements.
Liaison functions between Purchasing, Facilities Management, and campus departments for construction/renovation projects.
Investigates and negotiates conflict resolution regarding claims related to delivery, invoicing or vendor non-performance.
Works with the Director of Contracting & Purchasing Services to develop, review/revise administrative and purchasing procedures to ensure efficient department operations.
Oversees Conflict of Interest policy and disclosure statement process.
Monitors and coordinates grant funded activities as they relate to purchasing. Acts as liaison with other departments supporting and managing grants.
Ensures University is current with all purchasing trends.
Monitors and communicates applicable local, state, and federal statutes and administrative regulations to ensure compliance.
Meets with departments and end users to develop professional relationships and to provide education.
Other duties as assigned.

Supervision Exercised

Supervisors are expected to support the Leadership Standards of Central Michigan University and foster a culture that inspires excellence. The Leadership Standards define how we lead and treat others in our teams. As leaders, it is our responsibility to seek input from our teams to continuously improve leadership abilities and demonstration of the standards. Additionally, it is our responsibility to encourage and support the growth and development of those whom we lead. At CMU , we encourage employees to grow both personally and professionally, and thus advance CMU’s culture of excellence.

Message to Applicants

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU’s mission, vision, and leadership standards.


You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.

Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.

This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified. For best consideration, please submit application materials by October 22, 2026.

Employee Group

Employee Group Professional & Administrative -Salary

Pay Range

Pay Range $72,000 - $87,000

Division

Division Finance and Administrative Services

Department

Department Contracting & Purchasing Services

Position Status

Position Status Regular

Position End Date

Employment Status

Employment Status Full-Time

FTE

FTE 1.0

Position Type

Position Type 12 month

Weekly Work Schedule

Weekly Work Schedule M-F 8 am-5 pm, other times as needed.

Location

Location Mount Pleasant, MI

About the Department

About CMU

Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.

We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master’s, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.

CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more.

Central is home to 17 men’s and women’s Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.

CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It’s part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state’s largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant.

Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions — Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more — are within easy reach of the city’s central location in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.

Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference.

We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams.

Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position.

CMU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and institution. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight.

If you wish to see “Know Your Rights ” posters, please click here .

CMU does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, including admission and employment, and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 not to discriminate in such a matter.

Inquiries about the application of Title IX can be made to CMU’s Title IX Coordinator, the US Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary, or both.

CMU’s Title IX Coordinator can be reached at:

Phone: [phone]
Office: 103 E. Preston St.
Bovee University Center, suite 306
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
Email: [e-mail]

Posting Ends

Open Until Filled Yes

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you first learn of this job opportunity? Please list the specific advertising source or indicate if it was word of mouth.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Are you currently an internal employee of CMU according to the university's definition?
  • Yes
  • No
• * If yes, to which employee group do you belong? (If not applicable, select "Not Applicable").
  • Not Applicable
  • Administrative Office Assistant
  • Dispatcher
  • Lieutenant
  • Medical Faculty
  • P&A, SO or Faculty
  • Police
  • Public Broadcasting
  • Sergeant
  • Service Maintenance
  • Supervisory/Technical
• * Do you have at least a bachelor's degree or a combination of education and experience that equates to four years, preferably in business administration, legal studies, contracting, or a closely related field?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have at least 3 years' experience of a qualifying nature?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Supervisors are expected to support the Leadership Standards of Central Michigan University and foster a culture that inspires excellence. Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position and click “Yes” if you understand and support the culture that is important to CMU.
  • Yes
  • No

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
Optional Documents
• Other Document (1)

Staff postings - Human Resources | Contact HR | [phone]| 109 Rowe

Faculty postings - Faculty Personnel Services | Contact FPS | [phone] | 308 Warriner

CMU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and institution. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight.

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