Assistant Vice Chancellor For Purchasing & Contract Management

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Purchasing & Contract Management

Hiring Department: Purchasing & Contract Management

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1026116

Posting Close Date: 7/22/2024

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation's preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent "Best Colleges" rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

Description:

Position Summary The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Purchasing and Contract Management at the University of Illinois Chicago is responsible for leadership of UIC's purchasing and contracting operations. The Assistant Vice Chancellor reports to the Vice Chancellor for Finance and provides authoritative leadership and knowledgeable, practical execution on a wide range of procurement and contracting activity in support of the University's mission of education, research, and public service in the most cost effective method possible, while ensuring compliance with State and Federal laws, Administrative Rules, and University policies. The Assistant Vice Chancellor is a key leader in change management initiatives that result in cost savings and efficiency improvements to operations and leads UIC Purchasing to deliver excellent customer service to UIC.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Direct UIC Purchasing staff in purchasing and contracting activity on behalf of the UI Health System, UIC colleges and policies, directives, departments, working with the State Purchasing Officer, Chief Procurement Officer, Procurement Policy Board, and Commission on Equity and Inclusion, as well as internal University stakeholders, such as University Counsel, Risk Management, Privacy, University leadership and the Board of Trustees, as necessary and required to assure that all purchasing and contracting activities for the University are conducted in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, policies and guidelines, while ensuring that the operational needs of UIC stakeholders are consistently met.

• Establish internal policies, procedures, and training to ensure UIC Purchasing team members are prepared to achieve University purchasing and contracting objectives and provide excellent customer service to meet the needs of UIC customers.

• Review, approve and sign contracts in compliance with the State Finance Act and on behalf of the Comptroller in accordance with The General Rules Concerning University Organization and Procedure for procurements of $250,000 or more per fiscal year.

• In collaboration with the Purchasing and Contract Management Directors within the University of Illinois System, participate in a University-wide source-to-pay effort designed to yield measurable savings annually by optimizing eProcurement and contracting systems and related technology; increase spend under management through the use of strategic and cooperative contracts and other negotiated procurements and awards, and standardize procurement and contracting processes through the use of procurement and contract templates.

• Coordinate with other administrative units to achieve a timely and accurate purchasing and contracting function. This includes oversight of a large volume of purchasing and contracting transactions, including evaluation and award of major procurements through competitive IFBs, RFPs, and RFIs, as well as Exceptions and Exemptions in compliance to the Illinois Procurement Code and Administrative Rules; drafting and negotiation of payable, revenue generating, and no fund contracts, generating purchase orders for a substantial volume of small purchases, ensuring compliance with requirements for submissions of purchases for Board of Trustees approval; and ensuring emergency purchases are handled expeditiously to avoid disruption of essential University services.

• Ensure regular training and instruction is provided to university personnel who originate, process, complete, or utilize purchasing and contracting activities, data, or systems. Establish policies and procedures and communicate them to departmental staff, University units and vendors outside the University.

• Coordinate with the Office of Procurement Diversity on the activities of the University supplier diversity program in conjunction with University and System-wide leadership, vendors, and members of the State Legislature; represent the University at procurement diversity events and before Legislative committees and review panels as needed.

• Represent the interests of UIC and the other University Purchasing Directors in leading various committees, initiatives and outside activities involving the purchasing and contracting functions; participate in meetings with peers in other institutions to discuss purchasing and contracting issues and at seminars sponsored by professional organizations; and interface with community business organizations and governmental regulatory agencies, as necessary.

• Evaluate and respond to proposed procurement and contracting-related legislation and rules including coordinating directly with System leadership and the Chief Procurement Officer for Higher Education as needed to advocate on behalf of the University and System for legislative and regulatory changes.

• Establish goals and objectives for departmental activities and communicate them to section managers, supervisors, professional staff, and support staff.

• Monitor internal departmental performance through standard management reports, metrics, data analyses and information to measure achievement of goals and objectives and report the results of the monitoring efforts to university executive leadership.

• Monitor University purchasing and contracting performance through standard management reports and data analyses and recommend changes in processes and practices, as necessary.

• Make personnel decisions regarding optimum staffing levels, hiring of permanent and temporary staff, performance reviews, salary increases, disciplinary action, and termination of employees. Provide opportunities for additional staff professional development through attendance at seminars, workshops, and educational programs.

• Prepare budget requests, review financial statements, and monitor and control departmental expenditures for staff, equipment, supplies, and services.

• Serve as member of various University and System-wide committees that are designed to improve the policies, procedures, and practices across the University System and within UIC.

• Ensure that the department is evaluating and implementing continuous improvement methodologies and projects.

• Perform other related duties and responsibilities appropriate for the Assistant Vice Chancellor position.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, procurement, or related degree.

Minimum of ten years of management experience in administering the purchasing and contracting activity of a university or a similarly complex organization.

Strong written and oral communication skills.

Dynamic, collegial, consensus-building leadership style.

Relevant experience in contract development and negotiations for purchase of complex goods and services, as well as revenue generating and no fund contracts.

Substantial experience supporting increased utilization of diverse suppliers.

Demonstrated ability to interpret, apply, and/or develop strategic initiatives, policies, and procedures.

Excellent analytical, research, strategic planning, and organizational skills to address/resolve complex issues.

Ability to work independently, and to exercise good judgment and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.

Proficiency with Microsoft Suite of applications (e.g., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in related field (e.g., Law degree JD or LLM).

Professional public procurement certifications such as Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) or Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO).

Experience with purchasing and contracting in a public university or other governmental setting, including support of purchasing and contracts for a healthcare operation.

Experience with the implementation, management, and optimization of e-procurement and contract systems.

Experience with a Banner, ERP, and Jaggaer, eProcurement, or equivalent systems.

Experience in process improvement, and the demonstrated ability to use technology to create efficiencies.

Knowledge of the Illinois Procurement Code, State Finance Act, Administrative Rules, and University of Illinois System Business & Finance Policies and Procedures

For fullest consideration, please apply at jobs.uic.edu and include a letter of interest and current resume by July 22, 2024.

Offers of employment by the University of Illinois may be subject to approval by the University's Board of Trustees and are made contingent upon the candidate's successful completion of any criminal background checks and other pre-employment assessments that may be required for the position being offered. Additional information regarding such pre-employment checks and assessments may be provided as applicable during the hiring process.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit: https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=1411899

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation