DIRECTOR / CONTRACTING & PURCHASING SERVICES

Central Michigan University

$110K — $125K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • 5-7 years of relevant professional experience, including 2+ years in a management position.
  • Experience in purchasing services or contract negotiations.
  • Proven ability to organize and direct teams effectively.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, with emphasis on positive relationship building.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
  • Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without accommodation.

Responsibilities

  • Develops and implements policies for Contracting & Purchasing Services.
  • Manages teams responsible for purchasing and logistics of goods and services.
  • Ensures compliance with the University Contract Review Policy.
  • Oversees competitive bids and proposals, guiding departments through processes.
  • Negotiates contracts with vendors to secure favorable terms.
  • Monitors supplier relationships and performance metrics.
  • Coordinates purchasing activities associated with grant-funded projects.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and personal growth.
  • Supportive work environment fostering collaboration and improvement.
  • Participation in comprehensive health and wellness programs.
  • Eligibility for retirement plans with university contributions.
Full Job Description
Position Information

Position Information

Posting Number
S-3968

Position Number
35610

Type of Recruitment
External

Position Title
DIRECTOR / CONTRACTING & PURCHASING SERVICES

Position Summary

Responsible for the administration, operation and direction of activities associated with Contracting and Purchasing Services, University Stores, and Central Mailroom. Plans, develops and implements policies and practices related to contracting and purchasing of machinery, equipment, raw materials, software, leases, vehicles, furniture, contractual services and supplies necessary for the operation of the University.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree.
Five years increasingly relevant professional experience with at least two years in a management position.
Experience in the area of purchasing services or contract negotiations.
Demonstrated ability to organize and direct the work activities of others.
Ability to develop and maintain positive interpersonal relationships.
Demonstrated ability to project a positive attitude through excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree;
Purchasing certification such as CPP or CPSM or similar.
Experience with contract development, review and related legal issues.
Experience with SAP or other integrated enterprise purchasing, logistics and/or accounting system.
Experience in higher education environment.
Experience in a unionized environment.

Duties & Responsibilities

Plans, develops and implements policies and procedures related to various functions of Contracting & Purchasing Services.
Manages staff responsible for contracting, purchasing, receiving, storing, moving, distributing and monitoring goods and services for the University.
Ensures compliance with contracting authority on the University Contract Review Policy and Process.
Oversees and conducts competitive proposals and bidding process.
Collaborates with and guides University departments through the RFI and RFP processes.
Negotiates competitive contracts with vendors.
Manages supplier relationships.
Prepares cost analyses on university spend and contracts.
Supports feasibility studies on proposed projects.
Monitors and coordinates grant funded activities as they relate to purchasing.
Monitors and communicates applicable local, state, and federal statutes and administrative regulations to ensure compliance.
Leads process changes to improve efficiency and to better utilize University resources.
Acts as liaison between University departments and vendors/suppliers.
Coordinates and prioritizes work activities for the Contracting and Purchasing Services units.
Establish and maintain measurable performance metrics for all levels of procurement activities.
Maintains department budgets.
Manages other special projects 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 on our team. As leaders, it is our responsibility to seek input from our teams to continuously improve our leadership abilities and our 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 September 30th, 2026.

Employee Group
Professional & Administrative -Salary

Staff Pay Level

Pay Range
$110,000 - $125,000

Division
Finance and Administrative Services

Department
Contracting & Purchasing Services

Position Status
Regular

Position End Date

Employment Status
Full-Time

FTE
1.0

Position Type
12 month

Weekly Work Schedule
Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. / weekends and evenings as needed

Location
Mount Pleasant, MI

About the Department

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