Procurement Manager

Position Summary

Manage purchasing and procurement activity across the Climate School including the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), identify opportunities to improve purchasing practices, achieve cost efficiencies, and ensure compliance with University policies and procedures. The Procurement Manager will provide direct day-to-day supervision of the department’s Procurement Analysts

Responsibilities

Customer Service

• Manage the daily operations of the procurement team to ensure service to the community in a professional, ethical and timely manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Climate School and LDEO faculty, researchers and staff; work to resolve problems and determine the appropriate course of action to best meet their procurement needs.
• Serve as a procurement advisor to faculty, researchers, administrators, and staff, providing guidance on purchasing strategies, supplier selection, competitive bidding, contract requirements, and University procurement policies.
• Support strategic sourcing initiatives, including market research, solicitation development, bid analysis, supplier evaluation, and recommendations regarding vendor selection.
• Support contract administration including revenue generating service agreements, working with University Procurement, General Counsel’s Office, Finance, and other offices to facilitate contract development, renewals, amendments, and compliance.
• Support research procurement, including purchases associated with sponsored research, laboratory operations, equipment, services, and other specialized academic and research needs.
• Collaborate with central University procurement and finance offices to resolve complex purchasing issues and coordinate implementation of University-wide procurement initiatives.
• Ensure contract, bid, RFP, and all other procurement records and files are systematically recorded, maintained, and updated based on University policy.

Compliance and Continuous Improvement

• Develop and document standard operating procedures, guidance, and training materials related to purchasing and procurement.
• Improve purchasing processes, strengthen internal controls, and ensure appropriate alignment between procurement activity, budgets, and financial policies.
• Monitor compliance with University procurement policies, applicable federal and state requirements, sponsor requirements, and internal controls, escalating issues when appropriate.
• Identify opportunities to streamline procurement processes and implement improvements that reduce administrative burden, improve customer service, and increase efficiency.
• Conduct training and provide ongoing support to faculty, researchers and staff on procurement systems, policies, sourcing practices, and purchasing requirements.

Supplier Management

• Manage the vendor on-boarding process.
• Manage and monitor supplier relationships, including performance, pricing, service levels, contract compliance, and resolution of procurement-related issues

Analysis

• Collaborate with Finance colleagues to analyze spending and procurement data to identify trends, opportunities for savings, supplier consolidation, purchasing efficiencies, and areas of financial or operational risk.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 4 years of related work experience in procurement, purchasing, accounts payable, or related financial/administrative operations, preferably in higher education, nonprofit, government, or another complex organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior supervisory or team-lead experience, including assigning and reviewing work, coaching staff, managing performance, and supporting professional development.
• Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end procurement activities, including purchase orders, vendor onboarding, competitive bidding/quotes, contract coordination, invoice resolution, and purchasing documentation.
• Strong knowledge of procurement policies, internal controls, and compliance requirements, with the ability to ensure transactions are appropriately documented and processed.
• Experience developing or improving procurement procedures, workflows, and service standards to increase efficiency

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.