Job Description

The Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager for Research & Life Sciences provides strategic procurement oversight of the University’s research related supplies, equipment, and services, while supporting additional spend categories as needed. Specifically, the Manager directs centrally-led strategic sourcing initiatives; develops, negotiates and executes category-related contracts; leads strategic supplier relationship management (SSRM) activities; and provides category-related customer support to the Penn research community and other internal stakeholders. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Sourcing & Sustainability within the Purchasing Services department, the Manager operates in accordance with departmental priorities, delivering impact in the areas of cost containment, risk mitigation/safety, regulatory compliance, economic inclusion, environmental sustainability, and innovation. The Manager will engage extensively with Penn’s researchers/managers/administrators, suppliers, and external collaborators including peer institutions and community business partners.

Qualifications:

A Bachelor's Degree and CPM certification is required plus at least 5 - 7 years of demonstrated experience negotiating, evaluating and providing strategic procurement services for a diverse client group, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Substantial experience negotiating and critically evaluating legal contracts which evidence value generation for stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to develop, implement and enhance preferred supplier programs. Demonstrated procurement experience in research procurement required plus experience working in one or more of the following commodity areas highly favored: athletics, facilities and construction, energy, printing and reprographics, travel, finance, or professional services procurement. A minimum of five to seven years of experience with ERP systems (Oracle preferred) and e Sourcing technologies; Microsoft Office, data management tools and reporting.

Ability to lead cross functional sourcing and project teams to ensure timely supply of products and services, while meeting cost containment objectives. Excellent communication, analytical, relationship-building and presentation skills. Knowledge of and support for environmentally preferred purchasing strategy; LEED or similar certification highly regarded. Demonstrated ability to develop a diverse supplier base and support economic inclusion goals.  Familiarity with higher education sector highly regarded. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders to identify current and future procure-to-pay objectives that require the support of and contribution from the supply chain organization.