Director of Contracting & Purchasing

Job Summary:

The Director of Contracting & Purchasing is responsible for the oversight and direction of the Contracting, Purchasing, and Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) teams. This position leads the overall process of contract lifecycle management and acquisition of goods and services across the institution. This position is expected to maintain the integrity and efficiency of the contact management system and oversee the policies and procedures that govern contracting and purchasing processes in compliance with the State of Texas, UT System, and UTMB rules and regulations. This position requires cross-functional collaboration, coordinating strategies with internal and external stakeholders on organizational objectives and contracts under the Supply Chain purview. This position plays a pivotal role in the organization, spearheading initiatives in talent development, enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving innovation utilizing tools and technology. This role is crucial to delivering insights into strategic decision-making through the development and implementation of metrics, working with leadership to create interactive dashboards and reporting tools for contract visibility.

This position is currently based on our Galveston campus but will transition to our Clear Lake campus in the future. The role is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, with a combination of 3 days on-site and 2 days of remote work, based on current departmental needs.

Scope: Institution-wide.

Responsibilities: 

• Develop and implement comprehensive procurement and contracting strategies to optimize cost savings, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Oversee the contracting process, including developing process efficiencies while managing the required daily work.
• Assist in developing a vision, strategy, and roadmap that increases automation, optimizes contract management systems, and explore new technologies that align with the forward-looking operational and technical architecture vision of UTMB. Engaging at an enterprise level to drive digital transformation, contract optimization, and data analysis using automation and AI platforms.
• Develop and implement data-driven sourcing and procurement strategies to achieve cost savings, quality improvement, and risk mitigation.
• Develop and promote forward-thinking strategies to stay ahead of industry trends and drive continuous improvement in contract lifecycle management and procurement processes.
• Act under delegated authority as Chief Purchasing Agent for UTMB.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external customers.
• Develop, implement, enforce, and maintain procurement policies, procedures, and training programs for all contracting, sourcing, and purchasing requirements.
• Lead the adoption and optimization of technology platforms (e.g., contract management systems, e-procurement, analytics dashboards) to enhance transparency and operational efficiency.
• Actively participate in the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of sourcing, contracting, and other procurement-related business processes and supporting technologies.
• Ensure contractual risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated with appropriate contract provisions, including regulatory requirements concerning procurement.
• Coordinate with legal and compliance with changes in State procurement law and codes related to contract management.
• Recommend and maintain key performance indicators for measuring the financial and operating performance of the contracting and HUB team.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or other methodologies. Champion change management efforts during the adoption of new technologies or major process transformations.
• Design, implement, and maintain comprehensive metric dashboards for SLA (Service Level Agreement) reporting, consolidating real-time data from multiple sources to visually track key performance indicators such as response times, resolution rates, service availability, and compliance levels. Utilize these dashboards to provide actionable insights for stakeholders, enable proactive identification of performance gaps, support continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure alignment with organizational objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate extensively with the Procure to Pay teams to ensure a cohesive and efficient best-in-class procurement process.
• Maintain oversight of the HUB program.
• Actively participate in the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of sourcing, contracting, and other procurement-related business processes and supporting technologies.
• Assist in the design and execution of an effective system of internal controls with reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded, financial information is reliable, and are in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Investigates and responds with corrective action plans to audit findings from internal or external reviews.
• Oversee P-Card Program to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
• Optimization of the Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) and distributor agreements, as well as strategic IDN partnerships.
• Maintain current Standard Operating Procedures and Standard Work for the contracting and purchasing departments.
• Investigate and respond with corrective action plans to audit findings from internal or external reviews.
• Participate in UT System activities related to contracting, sourcing, and procurement.
• Coordinate with HR on employee certification verification.
• Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Health Care Administration, Supply Chain or related field plus eight (8) years of relevant experience including five (5) years of supervisory experience.
• Must have or obtain one of the following certifications within eighteen (18) months of appointment in title: Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), or Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Business Administration or related fields or Doctor of Jurisprudence.
• Experience in an academic healthcare or government agency setting.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Thorough understanding of contracting and procurement regulations, preferably in a healthcare setting and/or government organizations.
• Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, supplier due diligence, and risk management in sourcing.
• Strong knowledge of financial principles, market trends, and procurement best practices, with the ability to assess and drive measurable ROI.
• Proven ability to structure complex contracts, manage supplier relationships, and collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Understanding of GPOs' workings within the contract management process.
• Understanding HUB requirements and program management.
• Experience designing and implementing contracting processes that optimize execution, integrate automation and AI, and improve overall procurement.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, as well as a high degree of professionalism and competence in dealing with a wide range of individuals.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to lead transformation, influence stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement in contracting.
• Customer service skills, written and verbal communications skills, and interpersonal and employee development skills.
• Knowledge of principles of business continuity planning and management.
• Thorough understanding of procurement and accounts payable regulations impacting UTMB and the UT system.
• Good understanding of UT System Regents Rules, UT System Office of General Council guidelines, State of Texas procurement laws, and Federal procurement laws.
• Knowledge of management principles; purchasing, accounts payable, supply management, and contract management methodologies and techniques; computerized purchasing and accounts payable operations; various application software such as Microsoft Office and PeopleSoft E-Procurement.