4+ years of experience in procurement or related fields, preferably in higher education or complex organizations.
Prior supervisory or team-lead experience in a procurement setting.
Experience managing end-to-end procurement activities, including vendor onboarding and contract coordination.
Strong knowledge of procurement policies and compliance requirements.
Responsibilities
Manage daily operations of the procurement team to ensure professional service delivery.
Establish effective relationships with faculty and staff to address procurement needs.
Advise on purchasing strategies, supplier selection, and contract requirements.
Support strategic sourcing initiatives through market research and supplier evaluation.
Facilitate contract administration and compliance with various university offices.
Assist with research procurement for specialized academic needs.
Collaborate with central procurement and finance to resolve complex issues and implement initiatives.
Maintain accurate procurement records in accordance with university policy.
Benefits
Professional development opportunities.
Collaborative work environment with faculty and researchers.
Access to university resources and networks.
Engagement in strategic initiatives that impact the academic community.
Full Job Description
Position Summary
Manage purchasing and procurement activity across the Climate School including the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), identify opportunities to improve purchasing practices, achieve cost efficiencies, and ensure compliance with University policies and procedures. The Procurement Manager will provide direct day-to-day supervision of the department's Procurement Analysts
Responsibilities
Customer Service
Manage the daily operations of the procurement team to ensure service to the community in a professional, ethical and timely manner.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Climate School and LDEO faculty, researchers and staff; work to resolve problems and determine the appropriate course of action to best meet their procurement needs.
Serve as a procurement advisor to faculty, researchers, administrators, and staff, providing guidance on purchasing strategies, supplier selection, competitive bidding, contract requirements, and University procurement policies.
Support strategic sourcing initiatives, including market research, solicitation development, bid analysis, supplier evaluation, and recommendations regarding vendor selection.
Support contract administration including revenue generating service agreements, working with University Procurement, General Counsel's Office, Finance, and other offices to facilitate contract development, renewals, amendments, and compliance.
Support research procurement, including purchases associated with sponsored research, laboratory operations, equipment, services, and other specialized academic and research needs.
Collaborate with central University procurement and finance offices to resolve complex purchasing issues and coordinate implementation of University-wide procurement initiatives.
Ensure contract, bid, RFP, and all other procurement records and files are systematically recorded, maintained, and updated based on University policy.
Compliance and Continuous Improvement
Develop and document standard operating procedures, guidance, and training materials related to purchasing and procurement.
Improve purchasing processes, strengthen internal controls, and ensure appropriate alignment between procurement activity, budgets, and financial policies.
Monitor compliance with University procurement policies, applicable federal and state requirements, sponsor requirements, and internal controls, escalating issues when appropriate.
Identify opportunities to streamline procurement processes and implement improvements that reduce administrative burden, improve customer service, and increase efficiency.
Conduct training and provide ongoing support to faculty, researchers and staff on procurement systems, policies, sourcing practices, and purchasing requirements.
Supplier Management
Manage the vendor on-boarding process.
Manage and monitor supplier relationships, including performance, pricing, service levels, contract compliance, and resolution of procurement-related issues
Analysis
Collaborate with Finance colleagues to analyze spending and procurement data to identify trends, opportunities for savings, supplier consolidation, purchasing efficiencies, and areas of financial or operational risk.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required.
At least 4 years of related work experience in procurement, purchasing, accounts payable, or related financial/administrative operations, preferably in higher education, nonprofit, government, or another complex organization.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior supervisory or team-lead experience, including assigning and reviewing work, coaching staff, managing performance, and supporting professional development.
Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end procurement activities, including purchase orders, vendor onboarding, competitive bidding/quotes, contract coordination, invoice resolution, and purchasing documentation.
Strong knowledge of procurement policies, internal controls, and compliance requirements, with the ability to ensure transactions are appropriately documented and processed.
Experience developing or improving procurement procedures, workflows, and service standards to increase efficiency and consistency
About Columbia University
Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhattan, Columbia is the oldest institution of higher education in New York and the fifth-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. It is one of nine colonial colleges founded prior to the Declaration of Independence, seven of which belong to the Ivy League. Columbia is ranked among the top universities in the world by major education publications.
Columbia was established by royal charter under George II of Great Britain. It was renamed Columbia College in 1784 following the American Revolution, and in 1787 was placed under a private board of trustees headed by former students Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. In 1896, the campus was moved to its current location in Morningside Heights and renamed Columbia University.
Columbia scientists and scholars have played a pivotal role in scientific breakthroughs including brain-computer interface; the laser and maser; nuclear magnetic resonance; the first nuclear pile; the first nuclear fission reaction in the Americas; the first evidence for plate tectonics and continental drift; and much of the initial research and planning for the Manhattan Project during World War II. Columbia is organized into twenty schools, including four undergraduate schools and 16 graduate schools. The university's research efforts include the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory, the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, and accelerator laboratories with Big Tech firms such as Amazon and IBM. Columbia is a founding member of the Association of American Universities and was the first school in the United States to grant the MD degree. The university also annually administers the Pulitzer Prize. With over 14.5 million volumes, Columbia University Library is the third-largest private research library in the United States.
