DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

Job description

Columbia Association, headquartered in Howard County, Maryland, is known for engaging our diverse community, cultivating a unique sense of place, and enhancing the quality of life in Columbia, Maryland, all thanks to the efforts of our remarkable team members. If you share in our passion for teamwork and our vision, we want you to fast-forward your career with us at Columbia Association. Director of Procurement and Contract Management Position Summary Under the direction of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Procurement and Contract Management provides strategic leadership and oversight for Columbia Association’s procurement, sourcing, purchasing, contract administration, supplier management, procurement governance, and compliance functions. The Director ensures CA receives maximum value from its expenditures through strategic sourcing, effective supplier management, strong contract management practices, sound internal controls, ethical procurement standards, and data-driven decision making. The position serves as CA’s principal procurement advisor to executive leadership and the Board of Directors regarding procurement policy, supplier diversity, local purchasing initiatives, contract risk, major procurements, and industry best practices. The Director develops and maintains procurement policies, systems, procedures, reporting, and controls that support CA’s financial, operational, capital planning, and strategic objectives. The position directly supervises the Construction Contract Administrator and procurement staff and oversees procurement activities across all organizational functions. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Strategic Leadership, Governance, and Compliance 1. Provide strategic leadership and oversight of CA’s procurement, sourcing, contract administration, supplier management, and procurement compliance functions. 2. Develop and implement procurement strategies that support organizational goals, operational requirements, capital projects, and financial stewardship. 3. Establish, administer, and continuously improve procurement policies, procedures, internal controls, and governance practices. 4. Recommend revisions to the Procurement Policy and present procurement-related matters to executive leadership and the Board of Directors. 5. Promote transparency, fairness, accountability, ethical conduct, competition, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procurement standards. 6. Monitor procurement trends, market conditions, and industry best practices to drive continuous improvement and organizational value. Procurement Operations and Strategic Sourcing 1. Direct organization-wide purchasing and sourcing activities and approve procurement actions within delegated authority. 2. Lead competitive procurement processes, including IFBs, RFPs, RFQs, and other solicitation methods. 3. Develop sourcing and category management strategies that optimize cost, quality, service, supplier performance, and total cost of ownership. 4. Analyze organizational spending and identify opportunities for savings, cost avoidance, standardization, supplier consolidation, and operational efficiency. 5. Lead high-value, high-risk, and strategically significant procurement initiatives and contract negotiations. Contract Administration, Supplier Management, and Risk Management 1. Oversee contract development, negotiation, execution, administration, renewals, amendments, performance management, and closeout. 2. Partner with the General Counsel’s Office to develop and maintain standard contract language, procurement templates, and risk management practices. 3. Establish supplier performance standards and monitor compliance with contractual obligations, service expectations, insurance, licensing, and regulatory requirements. 4. Resolve complex contractual, supplier performance, and vendor relationship matters while protecting CA’s legal, financial, operational, and reputational interests. 5. Identify and mitigate procurement-related operational, contractual, financial, supplier, compliance, and reputational risks. 6. Ensure procurement records and documentation support transparency, audit readiness, and defensible decision-making. Construction Procurement and Capital Projects 1. Direct procurement activities supporting construction, renovation, maintenance, infrastructure, and capital improvement projects. 2. Supervise the Construction Contract Administrator and oversee procurement of construction-related contracts and services. 3. Support project teams through value engineering, life-cycle cost analysis, procurement planning, contractor evaluation, and contract administration. 4. Ensure construction procurement activities comply with organizational policies, contract requirements, schedules, and internal controls. Supplier Diversity and Local Purchasing 1. Promote equitable access, competition, outreach, and participation among diverse and local suppliers. 2. Monitor program performance and prepare reports for executive leadership and the Board of Directors. 3. Recommend improvements that advance organizational and community objectives. Technology, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement 1. Lead procurement technology initiatives, including procurement automation, electronic sourcing, contract management, supplier management, and ERP system optimization. 2. Develop procurement analytics, dashboards, and reporting tools that support executive decision-making and performance measurement. 3. Implement process improvements that strengthen efficiency, service delivery, compliance, transparency, and operational effectiveness. 4. Provide procurement training, guidance, and support to departments throughout the organization. Leadership and Talent Development 1. Recruit, supervise, mentor, develop, and evaluate procurement staff, including the Construction Contract Administrator. 2. Establish departmental goals, performance expectations, accountability measures, and professional development plans. 3. Foster a culture of customer service, collaboration, ethical conduct, accountability, and continuous improvement. 4. Develop succession planning and cross-training strategies to ensure continuity of operations and leadership readiness. Qualifications Required 1. Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, Operations Management, Construction Management, or a related field. 2. Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible procurement, sourcing, purchasing, contract administration, or supply management experience. 3. Minimum five (5) years of leadership experience managing procurement or related professional staff. 4. Significant experience with strategic sourcing, competitive procurements, contract negotiations, supplier management, and procurement compliance. 5. Experience supporting a complex, multi-department organization. Preferred 1. Master’s Degree in a related field. 2. Professional certifications such as CPPB, CPPO, CPSM, CSCP, or equivalent. 3. Experience with Infor or similar ERP and procurement platforms. 4. Experience in nonprofit, government, municipal, recreation, healthcare, education, or other complex service organizations. 5. Experience with construction procurement, capital projects, and supplier diversity programs. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Extensive knowledge of procurement, strategic sourcing, contract administration, supplier management, competitive procurement methods, and procurement governance. 2. Strong financial, analytical, negotiation, project management, communication, and problem-solving skills. 3. Knowledge of contract law, procurement technology, ERP systems, spend analytics, and reporting tools. 4. Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, Board members, legal counsel, vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders. 5. Demonstrated commitment to ethical procurement, transparency, accountability, customer service, and stewardship of organizational resources. Performance Measures Performance will be evaluated based on: Cost savings and cost avoidance; strategic sourcing effectiveness; contract and procurement compliance; supplier performance and risk management; internal customer satisfaction; audit and internal control results; supplier diversity and local purchasing outcomes; procurement process improvement and technology adoption; quality of executive and Board reporting; and staff development, engagement, retention, and succession readiness. Work Environment Work is performed primarily in a professional office environment and may require attendance at Board, committee, vendor, and project meetings. Occasional evening, weekend, and local travel may be required. The salary range for this position is $175K to $185K. The actual salary offered will depend on the overall qualifications of the individual applicant for the position and the budgeted amount for the role. CA offers a positive, fun work environment and a generous benefits package. Full-time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), a free Fit & Play membership, Wellness benefits w/perks and paid leave. Columbia Association is an equal employment opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military/veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. EOE/ADA. We encourage applications from candidates who can contribute to the diversity of our organization. Over and above non-discrimination, CA’s mission includes engaging our diverse community and meeting the evolving needs of a dynamic and inclusive community. That’swhy we welcome folks of diverse or marginalized backgrounds and abilities to apply to become part of the CA team.