Centralized Procurement Manager

About the job

Description

The Centralized Procurement Manager leads the University’s centralized procurement function, overseeing strategic sourcing, supplier management, and purchasing operations. This position drives cost savings, strengthens compliance, standardizes procurement practices, and ensures reliable supply chain support for academic, administrative, research, clinical, and dental operations.

About The University of New England UNE is Maine’s largest private university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible online offerings. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to positively impact a world full of challenges. We are the state’s top provider of health professionals and home to Maine’s only medical and dental colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs, and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts.

Benefits Overview

• Multiple health and dental plan options, plus vision coverage.

• Up to 8% retirement plan match.

• Generous leave time, including vacation, sick, and personal time, and 12+ holidays per year.

• Educational benefits:

• UNE tuition waiver for employees, spouses, and domestic partners.

• UNE tuition waiver for dependents of employees with 1 year of full-time service.

• 50% tuition reduction if less than 1 year of full-time service.

For more information about our outstanding benefits, please visit: UNE Benefits Overview

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and monitor procurement policies, procedures, and service standards to ensure compliance, consistency, and operational efficiency.

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives for goods and services, achieving measurable cost savings, cost avoidance, and increased utilization of competitive procurement processes.

• Manage competitive bids, RFPs, contract negotiations, GPO participation, and supplier agreements to maximize value, reduce risk, and increase spend under contract.

• Ensure procurement activities comply with institutional policies and applicable regulatory, grant, healthcare, and safety requirements; maintain audit-ready documentation and resolution of compliance issues.

• Oversee procurement operations, including requisitions, purchase orders, blanket agreements, contract modifications, and invoice exception management, meeting established turnaround-time and accuracy standards.

• Monitor supply continuity and coordinate solutions to mitigate shortages, minimize stockouts, and support uninterrupted academic, research, and clinical operations.

• Evaluate supplier performance through established service, quality, delivery, and cost metrics; implement corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives as needed.

• Analyze procurement data and prepare reports on savings, compliance, supplier performance, and operational effectiveness to support informed decision-making.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.

• Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, contract administration, or supply chain operations.

• Knowledge of competitive bidding, contract administration, accounts payable processes, and applicable regulatory requirements.

• Experience utilizing ERP, e-procurement, or purchasing-management systems.

• Demonstrated ability to negotiate agreements, analyze data, improve processes, manage multiple priorities, and build collaborative relationships with stakeholders.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience procuring medical, dental, laboratory, research, or other specialized products and services.

• Familiarity with healthcare supply chains, Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs), vendor credentialing, and regulated purchasing environments.

Vaccination Statement (PLEASE NOTE)

Employees in clinical settings must meet the State of Maine’s immunization requirements for clinical activity.

Additional Note

This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extension.