Towson University (TU) is one of the nation’s top 100 public universities. Located north of Baltimore, TU currently enrolls more than 19,000 students and is the second-largest university in the prestigious University System of Maryland. Towson University values diversity and fosters a climate that is grounded in respect and inclusion to cultivate the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.

Towson University is accepting applications for a Director of Procurement to provide leadership and expertise to the office of Procurement. The Director is responsible for the acquisition of more than $100,000,000 in goods and services each year, including mission-critical academic, facilities, technology, and support services. This role will direct and coordinate all aspects of day-to-day operations and assigned staff while ensuring the fair procurement of goods and services using best value practices, while adhering to a strict professional code of ethics. These duties are accomplished in full compliance with applicable policies, laws, and regulations, including State mandates such as the Minority, Small Business, and Procurement Card programs.

The Director is a procurement representative with the University System of Maryland (USM), Board of Public Works, UMB Construction Service Center, and other State agencies. This position routinely creates and negotiates contractual agreements/legal documents and works with legal counsel. Develops policies and procedures and provides guidance to the campus leadership and departments. This role is responsible for the fiscal department budget and a key member of the University fiscal year-end closeout team. The Director also oversees departmental technology applications and provides functional expertise in the management of business technology. Telework may be available for this position up to two days per week following the completion of 90 days of service in good standing.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Performs the administrative and managerial functions necessary to plan, implement, review, and control the operations of Procurement to follow and support of the policies, mission, and strategic plan of the University.
• Responsible for the procurement of goods, services, and projects to ensure the University receives maximum value for expenditures.
• Determines specifications, solicit bids or proposals, establishes or recommends the establishment of orders and contracts, assures receipt of goods or services, and authorizes payments for compliance with the requirements of state law, USM regulations and policies.
• Prepares contract documents necessary to clearly document the obligations of the parties and mitigate risk to the University by appropriate contract terms, insurance, and bonding.
• Maintains organizational structure and staffing to effectively accomplish the organization’s goals and objectives while overseeing recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation of unit staff.
• Maintains qualified contractors for ongoing campus maintenance needs.
• Oversees departmental use of technology (e.g., Oracle, Oracle ProCard Module, Dashboards, and Procurement Portal). Must work effectively with a wide variety of university clients and maintain a very high level of client support and service.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance, supply chain management, mathematics/statistics, economics or business administration from accredited college or university.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible, related experience in procurement/supply chain management. Successful multi-year track record in a supply chain organization (ideally with relevant academic experience, and experience working in supplies, equipment, and services categories).
• A minimum of five (5) years of direct staff management, including performance management.
• Strong financial background with experience working with multiple functional areas in a state, or non-profit setting.
• Project management experience, with success in achieving key milestones and timely completion in a complex and demanding environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree such as a MS/MA, MBA, or JD Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM or C.P.M.).
• Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), or Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM).
• Fifteen (15+) years of progressively responsible, related experience in higher-education or State of Maryland procurement/supply chain management.
• Successful multi-year track record in leading a procurement organization with relevant University experience (e.g. experience working within a shared service function and with categories such as professional services, lab and equipment, food and beverage, facilities management, and travel categories) .
• Five (5+) years of direct, staff management including performance management.
• State of Maryland and/or University of Maryland procurement experience.
• Source-to-contract-to procure process management experience working in academic, research, or public sector organizations.

Salary and Benefits 

Salary range at $145K-$158k, salary commensurate on experience, and full University benefits that include 22 days of annual leave, up to 15 holidays, personal and sick days; excellent health, life, and retirement plans; and tuition remission. To learn more about our benefits, click here. TU also offers a variety of great perks and discounts, which can be found here.

This position will be open for a minimum of 14 days. For consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume with your online application. 

The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and neighbors has been our top priority and the focus of every one of our decisions since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the University System of Maryland (USM) has strongly encouraged full COVID vaccination and up-to-date booster shots (when eligible) for all faculty, staff, and students at all schools in the USM as both a reasonable and necessary means of protecting our health and safety.

About Towson University

The largest comprehensive university in the Baltimore area, Towson University is nationally recognized for its excellent programs in the arts and sciences, communications, business, health professions, education, fine arts and computer information systems. Located in suburban Towson, eight miles north of Baltimore, our beautifully landscaped, 328-acre setting offers a pleasant environment for study and a diverse campus life, as well as easy access to a wealth of university and community resources. Towson University's educational experience branches out to off-campus locations throughout Maryland, including a number of online options. Our many interdisciplinary partnerships with public and private organizations throughout Maryland provide opportunities for research, internships and jobs. Towson University is a founding member of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU).

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