Director of Purchasing - Oakland University at Another Source

Rochester Hills, Michigan, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

10 Jun, 26

Salary

116000.0

Posted On

12 Mar, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Procurement Operations, Team Leadership, Process Improvement, Procure-to-Pay, Sourcing Strategy, Contract Negotiation, Vendor Management, Compliance, RFPs, Contract Review, Purchasing Strategy, Financial Analysis, Stakeholder Management, Operational Efficiency, Policy Implementation, Issue Resolution

Industry

Staffing and Recruiting

Description

At a glance Oakland University is hiring a Director of Purchasing to join its finance team in Rochester, Michigan. This hands-on leadership role oversees the university’s procurement operations while guiding a team of buyers and partnering with departments across campus to support effective and compliant purchasing.Beyond managing day-to-day procurement, this leader will play an important role in strengthening processes and helping modernize the university’s procure-to-pay operations. It’s a great opportunity for a collaborative procurement professional who enjoys improving systems, building strong campus partnerships, and contributing to the continued growth of a dynamic public research university. Description: What you'll be doing Another Source's client, Oakland University, is recruiting a Director of Purchasing to join their team in Rochester, Michigan. Here's a little about Oakland University: Located on 1,443 acres in scenic Oakland County between the cities of Rochester Hills and Auburn Hills, Oakland University is a public research university serving more than 18,000 students. Since its founding in 1957, the university has grown into a vibrant academic community offering more than 275 degree and certificate programs across a wide range of disciplines. Oakland University is known for its strong commitment to student success, community engagement, and workforce development throughout Southeast Michigan. With schools spanning business, engineering, health sciences, nursing, medicine, education, and the arts, the university plays a critical role in preparing the region’s next generation of leaders while fostering innovation and collaboration across campus and the broader community. About this role: Oakland University is seeking a strategic and collaborative Director of Purchasing to lead the institution’s procurement operations and help ensure the university continues to operate efficiently, responsibly, and in alignment with best practices. Reporting to the Associate Vice President and Controller, this role oversees purchasing strategy, vendor relationships, and procurement processes for the entire university. The Director will lead a team of procurement professionals while serving as a trusted advisor to departments across campus, helping them navigate purchasing decisions, sourcing strategies, and contract negotiations. This is a hands-on leadership role in a lean environment. The Director is expected to balance strategic process improvement with day-to-day operational involvement, including active participation in complex sourcing events, RFPs, contract review, and department-facing procurement support. How you will spend your time: Lead and manage the daily operations of the Purchasing Department, including supervising a team of buyers and ensuring procurement activities align with university policies and best practices. Process and oversee purchase requisitions, independent contractor agreements, and procurement contracts for equipment, supplies, materials, and services across the university. Serve as a project manager for purchasing-related contracts, licenses, and agreements, coordinating with departments, vendors, and the Office of Legal Affairs when appropriate. Design, implement, and monitor procurement processes, policies, and procedures to ensure efficiency, compliance, and alignment with institutional needs. Negotiate, initiate, and oversee campus-wide purchasing agreements to secure favorable pricing and vendor partnerships. Act as a key resource to university departments by providing guidance on purchasing decisions, vendor selection, and specification development. Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors and the broader business community while identifying opportunities to enhance supplier partnerships. Evaluate current vendors and research new suppliers to ensure the university receives high-quality goods and services at competitive pricing. Manage departmental participation in purchasing committees and cross-functional initiatives. Resolve vendor or customer issues, including complaints, returns, shortages, and purchase order adjustments. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Eight (8) years of experience in business management, purchasing, procurement, or supply chain operations. Demonstrated experience analyzing purchasing needs and managing procurement processes. Strong organizational and analytical skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively across departments. Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree in Business Administration or a related field. Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) or similar professional certification. Experience in a higher education or large institutional environment. Experience improving procurement workflows, increasing operational efficiency, or supporting automation and modernization initiatives. Compensation & Benefits: The salary range for this position typically falls between $93,000 – $116,000, depending on experience and qualifications. This role is primarily campus-based in Rochester, Michigan, with one day per week of hybrid flexibility. Oakland University offers competitive salaries and an excellent benefit program including a comprehensive medical plan with low contribution amounts for employees, dental and vision plans at no cost for employees, generous paid time off plans, a generous University contribution to our 403(b) retirement plan, tuition assistance for employees and dependents, free access to Campus Recreation Center and workout facilities, and flexible work schedules and wellness programs. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Oakland University is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in an environment of mutual trust and respect at all levels of the institution and facilitating opportunities and success for all community members. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. Another Source’s role: Another Source works with our clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us. #AS1

Responsibilities

This role involves leading and managing the daily operations of the Purchasing Department, supervising buyers, and overseeing all procurement activities including requisitions, contracts, and agreements across the university. The Director will also be responsible for designing, implementing, and monitoring procurement processes to ensure efficiency and compliance while negotiating campus-wide purchasing agreements.