Applicants Invited in National Search for Ohio Five Director of Strategic Procurement

Posted on March 1, 2022

The Five Colleges of Ohio announced plans for recruitment of its next Director of Strategic Procurement with the appointment of a five-college search committee to lead a national search for this key consortial role.  The new director will lead the colleges’ procurement and accounts payable programs, strengthen five-college business collaborations and develop cost-saving initiatives and analytics.  

Reporting to the college vice presidents for finance and the Ohio Five Executive Director, the Director administers the multi-college Jaggaer e-procurement system, using its data for spend analytics, streamlining operational processes and leading procurement best practices through:

Strategic Procurement Administration The Director leads collaborative teams of college purchasing and accounts payable personnel to enhance the procurement program by identifying best practices, policy development, and regular process review and continuous improvement programs. The Director also leads the consortium’s supplier diversity program and its integration in the Jaggaer system.

System Administration The Director supports the shared Jaggaer e- procurement portal, overseeing project planning, implementation, and system administration at participating colleges while managing suppliers, PCard utilization, contracts, workflow management and financial approvals. The Director leads system enhancement implementations, integrates system data with college ERP systems, and provides meaningful consortial spend analytics using system data.

Strategic Procurement and Cost Savings Initiatives As consortial purchasing supervisor, the Director directs cost-saving projects and contracts by managing RFPs, negotiating new and renewed contracts, developing metrics for performance measurement, and providing reliable and accessible reports, scorecards, and visualizations to evaluate procurement activities.

The successful candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent work experience) in business, operations, or finance with 3-5 years of experience in purchasing, contract administration, or a related field. Strong system administration ability is key, with preferred experience with the Jaggaer eProcurement and eInvoicing systems and their integration with higher education ERPs. We’re looking for a collaborative leader whose interpersonal skills can foster successful collaborations among college purchasing, finance, and IT staff and communication between senior administration and front-line personnel. Excellent analytical, research and problem-solving skills and a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential. Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, CQI or other quality programs is also desired.

This position offers flexibility, with an office located on any of the five campuses and options for some remote work. Ohio Five provides reimbursement for regular travel to the five colleges that is part of this position, along with extensive use of web-based communications that ensure that all constituents receive appropriate support and assistance.

The Five Colleges of Ohio continues to invest in its purchasing and business collaborations, making this an exciting opportunity for someone looking to expand their experience with shared purchasing applications and exercise the ability to define a vision for a team and bring it to fruition.

Applications are invited at careers.kenyon.edu should include a cover letter, current resume, and two references.

Link to position posting

Full position description

Five College of Ohio staff members participate in a generous Kenyon College employee benefits program, described below.

Compensation and Benefits

Salaries at Kenyon are competitive and commensurate with experience. In addition to an attractive salary, Kenyon offers benefits for employees and their family members. Children of employees are eligible for 100% tuition waivers at Kenyon, and through the Great Lakes Colleges Association, children of employees are eligible for 85% tuition waivers at fifteen other of the nation's finest liberal arts colleges.

We also offer health and dental insurance, TIAA/CREF retirement, and many other benefits, including provisions for a spouse, families, and domestic partners. Details about benefits as well as conditions of employment are described more fully in our Staff Handbook.

Kenyon College is a nationally prominent, private liberal arts college where academic excellence goes hand in hand with a strong sense of community and close relationships among students and professors.

Kenyon College is an equal opportunity employer and applications from members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged. It is the College's policy to evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical and/or mental disability, age, religion, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. Kenyon College has a strong commitment to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. Please visit our Diversity at Kenyon website.