EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CATEGORY MANAGEMENT, SOURCING, and SUPPLIER PARTNERSHIP

quality and service to our campuses and beyond. We apply best-in-class sourcing methods with emphasis on sustainability and supplier diversity, invest in leading tools and technology, and cultivate strategic supplier partnerships to source the highest quality products and services for the absolute best value. Nationally, UC Procurement is a public procurement role model. As a lead agency for cooperative purchasing, UC contracts are leveraged by over 3,500 public education and government agencies in all 50 states. These organizations depend on and benefit from UC's expertise, knowledge, reputation, and economies of scale to minimize spend and maximize value. UC Systemwide Procurement fosters an environment for continuous improvement and a growth mindset culture. Our team of approximately 50 dedicated professionals is comprised of specialized portfolio sourcing managers, highly skilled data analysts, efficiency-driven business analysts, knowledgeable functional area administrators, and responsive support staff. UC Systemwide Procurement is a high-performing strategic department essential to the financial and operational health of the University of California, with high impact at the state and national levels.

Position Summary

The Executive Director of Strategic Sourcing and Category Management for the University of California leads the development and execution of systemwide strategic sourcing strategies in close partnership with the Systemwide Procurement Center of Expertise, campus procurement teams, and key stakeholders across the UC system.

This role drives procurement strategy and continuous improvement initiatives, including Procurement Excellence, through a team of managers and cross-functional partners. The Executive Director oversees the execution of multiple large, complex, and high-impact programs that affect broad constituencies across the organization.

The position establishes objectives, KPIs, and program timelines, and manages human, financial, and operational resources with a high degree of autonomy. The Executive Director is accountable for developing and administering policies and programs that enhance procurement capabilities and improve overall organizational performance and reputation.

Through subordinate leaders, this role sets strategic goals and ensures effective stewardship of university resources in alignment with systemwide priorities and initiatives.

Operating with broad direction, the Executive Director determines how best to deploy resources to meet organizational goals and timelines. The role requires independent judgment in selecting procurement methods, developing policies and procedures, and defining evaluation criteria.

This position leads complex, high-visibility procurement initiatives that require analysis of diverse data and situations, as well as engagement with senior internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• 30% CATEGORY MANAGEMENT, SOURCING STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT & IMPLEMENTATION -- Leads the development and implementation of procurement strategic sourcing and continuous improvement initiatives through subordinate managers and partners from across UC Procurement. Provides direction to the organization regarding processes and operational policies in selecting purchasing methods and techniques. May negotiate contracts involving large dollar amounts, and of some significance to the organization. Reviews and approves purchases up to a specified dollar amount. 20% Operations: The role will oversee the operational rhythm of the RFP lifecycle, standardizing workflows, optimizing processes, and ensuring all sourcing events follow consistent procedures. This includes managing intake, documentation, evaluation logistics, supplier communications, and internal review steps to drive efficiency, accuracy, and repeatable results across the enterprise.
• 25% - PROCUREMENT TRANSFORMATION -- Comfortable with ambiguity and building support for unprecedented initiatives, this role works with abstract ideas or situations across functional areas of the business. Leads the assessment of various options and alignment of the broader organization to the key concepts. This role leads development and implementation of projects requiring coordination across UC Procurement at both the Systemwide and campus level. A strong influencer, this leader identifies and evaluates fundamental issues, providing strategy and direction for major functional areas. Define and implement projects that improve collaboration of Procurement across the 10 UC Campuses and 5 UC Health. Optimize the utilization of best-in-class E-Sourcing and Contract Management tools to deliver projects across the UC. Work with procurement technology partners to drive solutions that optimize sourcing technology platforms, ensuring accurate configuration, workflow automation, template management, and data integrity. Responsibilities include leading the use of AI across digital sourcing tools, user training, quality control, governance, and reporting capabilities to improve decision-making and operational visibility.
• 25% - ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP and ADMINISTRATION -- Directs the activities of buyers and expediters to accomplish organization's procurement objectives. Provides guidance to purchasing staff members and manages staff according to human resource policies and procedures. Monitors the cost, schedule and performance aspects of major subcontracts. Assumes responsibility for department budget. Develops and administers schedules and performance requirements. Recommends changes to purchasing policies to enhance effectiveness of function. Often must lead cooperative efforts involving multiple departments and external resources with experience in building relationships, managing conflict, and influencing without authority.
• 20% - CROSSFUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION & INFLUENCING - An effective collaborator, the Procurement Transformation Executive Director works across functional areas, divisions, product groups or service areas through senior managers to deliver key objectives. Leads the team that develops and executes strategic sourcing strategies in close partnership with the Systemwide Procurement Center of Expertise, Campus Procurement, and key stakeholders from across the UC System. Leads execution of multiple large and complex critical programs impacting broad constituencies across major portions of the organization. Advises senior management on controversial situations, customer negotiations, or influencing and persuading other senior level managers.

Experience

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, or equivalent related experience.

Skills and Abilities

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in category management, strategic sourcing, supply chain management, procurement or related experience. The years includes a minimum of 3 years demonstrated high-level product/service expertise, including leading negotiations for a specific Center of Excellence category. Builds and maintains credibility as an expert within a specific category with key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience working in a collaborative team environment, building consensus, promoting an exchange of information among technical and business collaborators and leading stakeholder teams and multi-party negotiations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience using various proven negotiation methods, and the ability to critically analyze a negotiation. Excellent experience with cost modeling and related financial analyses.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Project, and Demonstrated ability to analyze problems, identify and consider potential solutions, and make timely recommendations. Works with others to effectively address issues when they occur. Excellent organization skills, including meeting facilitation and decision making.
• Very strong customer service and interpersonal skills and the ability to coordinate work with others, both internally and externally, to accomplish tasks. Demonstrated effective written communication skills; including RFP and contract development, concise business memos presented to executives to make recommendations, and written announcements that will be read by a wide audience. Demonstrated ability to lead and advise cross-organization workgroups.
• Demonstrated verbal communication skills, including the ability to manage one on one conversations, small team meetings and groups of campus stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to develop visual presentation materials and deliver effective and persuasive presentations of strategies and progress to leadership.
• Advanced leadership and management capabilities, including staff development, performance management, team building, conflict resolution, and hiring/training
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale change initiatives in complex organizations
• Willingness to travel to campus locations as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven ability to build and develop high-performing teams and grow individual team members
• Experience leading collaborative, cross-functional project teams
• Experience with strategic sourcing, procurement, and contract management tools or systems
• Familiarity with consulting methodologies and program management practices, including leading initiatives from strategy through implementation and operations
• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to comply a complex array of University policies and state and federal laws that govern acquisitions. Knowledge of the specific category field in higher education, including suppliers, distribution models, products, and equipment. Knowledge of business and delivery models including research cores, centralized warehousing, and storehouses.
• Project Management, Organizational Development, or related certifications/advanced training
• Experience with financial systems (e.g., Oracle) and data visualization/analysis tools (e.g., Tableau)
• Bachelor's degree in related area. Professional certification preferred.

Education

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Licenses and Certifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Negotiation Training
• Certified Professional in Supply Chain Management
• Legal Training or Certification

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

This position has been approved for a hybrid work arrangement. The person hired must report to work two days on-site in Oakland or at a campus location near their home. If in Oakland, the person hired is required to be on-site at UC's Office of the President (UCOP) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, subject to change. If at a campus, the two days on-site is dependent upon the campus, subject to change. The person hired is required to reside in the State of California.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Job Title Procurement Manager 3

Job Code 84400

Salary Grade Grade 28

Payscale: $211,000 - $250,000, commensurate with experience

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is April, 14, 2026. The position will be open until filled.