Chief Procurement Officer

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

PLEASE NOTE : This posting will close at 11:59PM (Eastern time) on the posted closing date. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application, including the ‘Work History' section before you apply for this position. Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered.

Posting Details

This position is designated as Exempt from the Human Resources Act (EHRA).

Posting Details Benefits of Working at UNCW Want to become a soaring UNCW Seahawk and work at one of the best universities on the East Coast? Want to put your toes in the sand after a day of work? The University of North Carolina Wilmington offers a wonderfully vibrant university community along with a beautiful location just miles from the beach. Employees of UNCW are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other programs, resources, policies, and practices that help to support a work/life balance. Our programs have been designed to provide a variety of choices to best fit your needs and the needs of your family. Full time employees are eligible for dental, vision and health insurance plans. Health insurance benefit plans eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Full time employees are also eligible for the tuition waiver program which covers the cost of tuition and fees for up to three (3) undergraduate or graduate courses per academic year at UNCW or any other university within the UNC System. In addition, UNCW covers the cost of tuition and fees for one UNCW course each summer session. As a full time employee, UNCW also offers a free membership to the Campus Recreation Center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, meditation and yoga sessions, voluntary supplemental insurance coverages, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays, 24 hours of paid community service leave time, paid vacation and sick leave accrual and family medical leave after 12 months of continuous service. We also offer an abundance of training and development programs through our Dare to Learn Academy , and the employee assistance program , many of which are offered free of charge. Hiring Range Determined based on qualifications and/or experience. Working Title Chief Procurement Officer External Link to Posting Vacancy Number E1394 Position Number 2164 Location of Workplace Main UNCW Campus Home Department Purchasing - 35110 Division Business Affairs - 35000 Division Brief Summary of Work for this Position The Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) provides strategic leadership and direction for UNC Wilmington's procurement function, ensuring alignment with the university's educational mission, operational needs, and long-term institutional goals. The CPO oversees the full spectrum of procurement activities, including the acquisition of goods and services, property acquisitions, and lease agreements, through the effective execution of purchase orders, requisitions, contracts, and agreements. As a key leader within the Finance team, the CPO is responsible for developing and implementing procurement strategies that deliver value, drive efficiencies, mitigate risk, and ensure compliance with state and university regulations. This includes leading complex contract negotiations, managing vendor relationships, and establishing performance-based procurement practices that support academic and administrative priorities. The CPO serves as the primary liaison to the North Carolina Department of Administration - Division of Purchase & Contract and ensures the university adheres to the highest standards of ethics, legal compliance, and fiscal stewardship. The role requires strong collaboration across university departments and with external partners to advance procurement excellence and innovation. Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Five years of progressive management experience in a public-sector purchasing office.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply procurement regulations, technical specifications, and contractual terms.
• Proven contract negotiation skills.
• Supervisory and team leadership experience.
• Proficiency with automated procurement systems, databases, spreadsheets, and word-processing software.
• Working knowledge of business law and applicable state and federal procurement regulations.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., MBA, MPA).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective collaborator with demonstrated interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Experience working in a higher education environment in a leadership capacity.
• More than five years of management experience in a purchasing or procurement office.
• Experience working within the State of North Carolina's procurement system.

Required Certifications or Licensures Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit The Business Affairs Division oversees a broad range of administrative and operational functions at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, including procurement, financial affairs, physical resources, capital management, safety and security services, building management and construction, information technology services, and auxiliary services. Within this division, the Finance team supports the University's mission and strategic goals by delivering key financial services efficiently and effectively to students and the broader campus community. The Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance (AVCF) leads the university's financial operations, which include the Controller's Office (Financial Reporting, General Accounting, Fixed Assets, Payroll, Accounts Payable, Travel, Non-Student Billing), as well as Student Accounts and Cashiers, Budget, Financial Systems, Tax, Financial Analytics, and Purchasing. Purchasing Services plays a critical role in supporting the university's educational mission by helping departments acquire high-quality goods and services at the best value and within the required timeframes. The unit ensures that all procurement activities comply with state purchasing regulations, UNCW policies, and the highest ethical standards. Responsibilities include processing purchase orders and requisitions, administering contracts and leases, and generating procurement-related agreements. Purchasing Services is committed to meeting the needs of the university community while promoting accountability, transparency, and fiscal stewardship. College/School Information University Information The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and a community rich in diversity, inclusion and global perspectives. A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering. The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969. EEO Statement At the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW), our culture reflects our values of inclusion, diversity, globalization, ethics and integrity and innovation and we are committed to providing equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs. UNCW believes that embracing the unique contributions of our faculty, staff and students is critical to our success and paramount in being recognized for our global mindset. Eligibility for Employment Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. Number of Openings Single Incumbent Special Notes to Applicants PLEASE NOTE : This posting will close at 11:59PM (Eastern time) on the posted closing date. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application, including the ‘Work History' section before you apply for this position. Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered. Months Per Year 12 Months FTE 1.0 (40 hours per week) Type of Position Permanent Anticipated Ending Date if Time-Limited Positions Job Posting Date 05/28/2025 Posting Close Date 07/06/2025

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume

• Cover Letter

Optional Documents