Assistant Director of Procurement & Contract Services

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Assistant Director of Procurement & Contract Services.

Position Details

Location
Hattiesburg

118 College Drive
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001
United States

Division
Procurement and Contract Services

Position Type
Staff

Employment Status
Full Time

Grant Funded
No

Salary Range
70,536.00 - 95,432.00

Pay Grade

E14

Posting Close Date
October 24, 2026

Special Instructions to ApplicantsApplicants must be currently authorized to work in theUnited States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. TheUniversity will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).

Job Summary
The Assistant Director of Procurement & Contract Services provides leadership and oversight for the procurement of goods and services on behalf of The University of Southern Mississippi. This position performs complex professional and administrative work involving formal and informal purchasing, solicitation development, contract review and negotiation, scope of work development, purchasing card administration, and procurement documentation. The Assistant Director coordinates day-to-day purchasing activities and ensures procurement processes comply with applicable University, Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), and State of Mississippi policies, procedures, and purchasing requirements. This position serves as an authorized purchasing agent with designated authority to obligate the University for the acquisition of goods and services and assists in coordinating the University's contract management process. The position supervises procurement personnel and exercises considerable independent judgment in evaluating purchasing needs, resolving complex procurement matters, and supporting effective University-wide procurement operations.Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Directs and coordinates day-to-day procurement activities for the University, including formal and informal purchasing processes, and ensures the acquisition of goods and services complies with applicable University, IHL, State of Mississippi, and other applicable procurement requirements.
2. Supervises and provides guidance to buyers, purchasing card personnel, and other assigned procurement staff; establishes work priorities, reviews work for accuracy and compliance, provides coaching and professional development, and supports required state purchasing certifications.
3. Evaluates complex andnonstandard purchasing requests, determines appropriate procurement methods,and reviews or recommends contract and procurement awards in coordination withUniversity departments. Maintains applicable University purchasing andtechnology procedures and identifies opportunities to improve procurementprocesses and operational efficiency.
4. Coordinates formal solicitations and competitive procurement activities, including bids and Requests for Proposals (RFPs); prepares and maintains specifications, legal advertisements, bid documentation, tabulations, vendor notifications, addenda, bid bonds, and other required procurement records; and utilizes applicable State of Mississippi procurement systems to support solicitation and purchasing approval processes.
5. Reviews and assists with negotiating procurement contracts; develops scopes of work and other procurement documentation; investigates contract-related concerns; coordinates with the Office of General Counsel as appropriate; and prepares contracts and supporting documentation for review, approval, and execution.
6. Coordinates the University's contract management process, including contract intake, review coordination, negotiations, execution workflows, compliance monitoring, records management, and communication with University departments. Develops and provides training and guidance to faculty and staff regarding purchasing, contracting, and contract submission processes.
7. Assists with the administration and oversight of the University's purchasing card program, including review of purchasing activities and implementation of procedures designed to support compliance with applicable State of Mississippi, IHL, and University requirements. Evaluates opportunities to improve purchasing methods and purchasing card utilization within applicable requirements.
8. Serves as a procurement liaison for the Hattiesburg campus, Gulf Park, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and other University locations to promote consistent procurement practices, provide guidance to University departments, and support compliance with applicable purchasing requirements.
9. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor'sdegree from an accredited college or university in Business, Supply ChainManagement, or a related field; or eight (8) years of experience involving theacquisition of equipment, supplies, commodities, or services, includingcontract review within a purchasing or procurement program; or an equivalentcombination of education and related experience. Advanced education maysubstitute for experience on a year-for-year basis. Must obtain CertifiedMississippi Purchasing Agent (CMPA) certification within the first year ofemployment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of public procurement principles, practices, methods, and applicable purchasing requirements.
• Knowledge of contract administration, including drafting, reviewing, interpreting, and negotiating commercial contract terms, conditions, specifications, and scopes of work.
• Knowledge of competitive procurement processes and the evaluation of bids, proposals, quotations, and contract award recommendations.
• Skill in analyzing procurement, financial, technical, and contractual information and applying appropriate judgment to complex purchasing decisions.
• Skill in written and verbal communication, including communicating procurement requirements and providing clear guidance and training to University departments and external parties.
• Skill in using procurement technology, data management systems, and related applications to collect, organize, analyze, maintain, and present purchasing and contract information.
• Ability to identify and resolve complex procurement and contract-related issues while ensuring accuracy and compliance with established requirements.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple procurement activities, contracts, projects, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to lead, supervise, delegate, and evaluate the work of assigned personnel while establishing effective working relationships with University departments, vendors, regulatory entities, and other stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree from an accredited college oruniversity in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. Eight (8)years of professional-level experience in higher education or governmentalprocurement. Extensive knowledge of State of Mississippi purchasing laws andexperience with State purchasing systems or current Certified MississippiPurchasing Agent (CMPA) certification is preferred. Professional certificationas a Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.), Certified Professional in SupplyManagement (CPSM), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified PublicPurchasing Officer (CPPO), or another nationally recognized procurement orsupply chain certification is also preferred.