Director of Procurement - CUPO

Since 1906, the University of West Georgia (UWG) has been home to those who seek a transformative college experience. UWG is a leading residential, doctoral comprehensive university that offers a broad undergraduate and graduate curriculum based on a liberal arts foundation. Nestled among the pines on a picturesque 645 acres is the University of West Georgia- a hidden gem approximately 40 miles west of Atlanta.

Serving approximately 16,000+ students, and offering more than 100 programs, UWG is committed to advancing innovative academic programs and a student-centered business model. Perennially ranked by U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review, and Colleges of Distinction as a top national university, West Georgia offers 86 fields of study, including business, computing, nursing, education, STEM, communication and digital media, social sciences, and the fine and performing arts.

UWG generates a regional economic impact of more than $650 million annually and provides a safe, quality, and affordable university experience that connects students to post-graduate career and leadership opportunities. UWG has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for its institutional commitment to community engagement through teaching, research and creative activities, and public service.

West Georgia is one of only 119 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the elective classification in 2020 and is among only 359 institutions nationally. Dedicated to creating a first-choice university for students, alumni, employees, and communities, UWG seeks employees who will advance and support the University's mission of fulfilling the talent needs of western Georgia and the Atlanta metropolitan area, while contributing to the social, cultural, and economic development of the region and state.

The University of West Georgia offers a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support faculty and staff across multiple dimensions; health, wellness, financial security, and professional growth. Employees working at least 30 hours per week gain access to a range of health plans, including medical, dental, and vision, wellness programs, and robust retirement options through Georgia Teachers Retirement System (TRS), Optional Retirement Program, and voluntary 403(b) and 457(b) plans.

Employees are granted 13 paid holidays and paid time off accruals and are eligible to participate in the University System of Georgia's Tuition Assistance Program. Fringe benefits include a variety of resources focused on employee physical, mental, financial, and social well-being through Acentra Employee Assistance Program in addition to personal financial advising with Captrust.

UWG also offers exclusive discounts and special offers on entertainment, travel, and other products and services through the Perks at Work program, free access to the university recreation facility, discounted campus dining options, and more! Living in Carrollton, "The City of Dreams," offers the advantages of city life with a small-town vibe.

This progressive community with Southern flair offers plenty of shopping, restaurants, nightlife opportunities, and cultural events. Named a City of Excellence in Georgia and listed as one of the 50 Best Small Southern Towns, Carrollton is the cultural, educational, health care, and commercial center for the west Georgia region.

At the heart of Carrollton is its historic downtown and Adamson Square lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants. Each season offers unique local events and opportunities for year-round recreation. Outdoor activities abound through award-winning spaces, including an 18-mile paved walking and biking Greenbelt trail that encircles the city and passes through the UWG campus.

The city embraces the University's students, faculty, and staff, and welcomes the diversity UWG brings to the community. Invested in education with highly rated city and county K-12 systems, both city and county public school graduation rates are 90% and above and rank among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Our campus is located at 1601 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA 30118. Faculty and staff members are expected to be physically present on campus as needed to support the in-person educational experience and on-campus vitality at the University of West Georgia. Depending upon teaching assignments and student demand, this could include the Carrollton or Newnan campuses.

This position is the Purchasing Officer (CUPO) for the University and has responsibility for the development and execution of procurement strategies to efficiently serve the University, maximize the value received from vendors, and minimize cost while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines.

Provides guidance for all sourcing efforts and identifying potential suppliers to enable faculty and staff in achieving Mission & Vision of the University. The ideal candidate is pragmatic about delivery of timely and helpful client service while balancing compliance. This individual makes daily decisions regarding acceptable and advantageous contract terms in regard to awarding purchase orders and/or contracts with the University.

Responsibility for the creation and maintenance of key performance metrics for the department as a whole. Development and maintenance of departmental budget. Applicant must pass a credit check.

1 Strategic Procurement Leadership and Operations: Serve as UWG's designated CUPO and senior procurement leader within the authority delegated to the position. Direct Procurement department operations, priorities, staffing, budget, service standards, policies, procedures, and internal controls. Develop short and long-range procurement plans aligned with university priorities and anticipated purchasing needs.

Advise campus leaders and stakeholders on procurement strategy, complex purchasing scenarios, market considerations, and appropriate procurement methods. Serve as the primary liaison with University System of Georgia Procurement and the Georgia Department of Administrative Services on procurement matters, as appropriate.

2 Strategic Sourcing and Competitive Solicitations: Oversee procurement-related contract development, review, negotiation, execution, amendment, renewal, performance monitoring, and closeout within delegated authority and in coordination with University Legal Counsel and responsible campus offices. Establish expectations for contract ownership, renewal planning, supplier performance, documentation, and escalation of significant issues.

Direct administration and oversight of the University purchasing-card program, including training, controls, transaction monitoring, compliance, and corrective action. Provide leadership and supervision for the Purchasing Manager responsible for P-Card administration, purchasing analytics, and difficult or non-routine purchasing scenarios.

Promote effective supplier relationships, timely issue resolution, and continuity of essential University operations. 3 Contract, Supplier, and Purchasing-Card Management: Oversee procurement-related contract development, review, negotiation, execution, amendment, renewal, performance monitoring, and closeout within delegated authority and in coordination with University Legal Counsel and responsible campus offices.

Establish expectations for contract ownership, renewal planning, supplier performance, documentation, and escalation of significant issues. Direct administration and oversight of the University purchasing-card program, including training, controls, transaction monitoring, compliance, and corrective action. Provide leadership and supervision for the Purchasing Manager responsible for P-Card administration, purchasing analytics, and difficult or non-routine purchasing scenarios.

Promote effective supplier relationships, timely issue resolution, and continuity of essential University operations. 4a Compliance, Ethics, Risk, and Delegated Authority: Ensure procurement activities comply with applicable federal and state laws, State of Georgia procurement requirements, Board of Regents policies, grant requirements, and University policies and procedures.

Maintain the integrity, fairness, transparency, confidentiality, and ethical standards of the public procurement process. Protect the University's delegated purchasing authority through effective controls, documentation, monitoring, training, and corrective action. Monitor procurement compliance and coordinate responses to audits, supplier protests, records requests, and regulatory inquiries with appropriate university and state offices.

Maintain complete and accurate procurement records and required reports. 4b Team Leadership, Analytics, Customer Service, and Continuous Improvement: Lead, develop, evaluate, and retain a knowledgeable, ethical, service-oriented Procurement team. Establish clear performance expectations, professional-development plans, cross-training, succession practices, and accountability for results.

Lead procurement analytics, spend analysis, operational reporting, and performance measurement to identify opportunities for improved service, compliance, efficiency, cost avoidance, and sourcing outcomes. Establish and monitor measures such as procurement cycle times, solicitation timeliness, stakeholder satisfaction, P-Card compliance, contract renewal readiness, audit findings, and documented procurement value.

Lead process improvement, policy simplification, workflow standardization, training, communication, and effective use of procurement and financial systems. Promote a culture that balances stewardship, compliance, sound business judgment, responsiveness, and practical problem solving.

Educational Requirements Bachelor's Degree Required Experience Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in business, supply chain management, procurement, finance, public administration, law, or a related field; seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, contracting, supply chain, or a closely related field.

At least three years of supervisory or management experience overseeing complex competitive solicitations, contract negotiations, procurement compliance, and continuous process improvement initiatives. The selected candidate must obtain and maintain all State of Georgia procurement certifications required for the CUPO position within the timelines established by the Georgia Department of Administrative Services, State Purchasing Division.

Employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of applicable background, education, and credit checks.

Preferred Educational Qualifications Master's Degree Preferred Experience Master's degree in business, supply chain management, public administration, finance, law, or a related field. Experience serving as a Chief Procurement Officer (CUPO), agency procurement officer, deputy procurement officer, procurement director, or in a comparable senior public procurement leadership role.

Demonstrated procurement experience within higher education, state or federal government, or another large, complex, decentralized public-sector organization. Working knowledge of State of Georgia procurement laws, regulations, policies, and statewide procurement systems. Proven experience leading contract administration, P-Card programs, supplier performance management, procurement analytics, technology-driven process improvements, and organizational change initiatives.

Professional certifications such as NIGP-CPP, CPPO, CPPB, CPSM, CPCM, or other recognized procurement or contract management credentials are preferred.

Salary range of $105,000 - $130,000 annually.

ABILITIES Ability to lead a multi-level professional team; translate institutional priorities into practical procurement strategies; exercise sound judgment; balance compliance, risk, value, urgency, and operational continuity; build effective relationships across a decentralized academic environment; and lead process improvement and organizational change.

KNOWLEDGE Extensive knowledge of public procurement principles, competitive sourcing, contract negotiation and administration, supplier management, purchasing-card controls, ethics, conflicts of interest, protests, records requirements, and delegated purchasing authority. Knowledge of federal and state procurement requirements, State of Georgia procurement practices, Board of Regents policies, grant-funded procurement requirements, spend analytics, and procurement performance measurement.

SKILLS Strong leadership, executive communication, consultation, facilitation, negotiation, conflict-resolution, analytical, project-management, and customer-service skills. Skill in analyzing spend, supplier, contract, compliance, and service data and communicating actionable conclusions to varied audiences. Physical Requirements Office Environment

• Work normally performed in a typical interior work environment.

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards.

More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct . Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.

usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653 .

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of West Georgia as determined by the University of West Georgia in its sole discretion; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials, reference checks; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check.

Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (USG). The Board of Regents prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status ("protected status"). No individual shall be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any USG program or activity because of the individual's protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual's protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.

The mission of the University of West Georgia is to enable students, faculty, and staff to realize their full potential through academic engagement, supportive services, professional development, and a caring, student-centered community. The institutional mission and daily operation of the University of West Georgia are guided by our values that support our vision to be the best place to work, learn, and succeed: ACHIEVEMENT, CARING, COLLABORATION, INCLUSIVENESS, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, SUSTAINABILITY, and WISDOM.