The Director of Procurement and Contract Services

The Director of Procurement and Contract Services serves as the university's leader for strategic procurement, contracting, and supplier engagement initiatives.

  • 522404
  • Manhattan, Kansas, United States
  • Division of Financial Services
  • Staff Full Time (Unclassified - Regular)
  • Closing at: Nov 19 2026 - 23:55 CST
  • On-site

About This Role

The Director of Procurement and Contract Services serves as the university's leader for strategic procurement, contracting, and supplier engagement initiatives. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Accounting and Procurement, this position provides vision, leadership, and oversight for the institution's procurement and contract services functions while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, stewardship, and continuous improvement.

The Director is responsible for developing and executing procurement strategies that advance the university's mission, optimize resources, mitigate risk, and promote operational excellence. This role partners extensively with academic and administrative leaders to identify opportunities for strategic sourcing, process improvement, supplier engagement, and contract management while ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, Kansas Board of Regents and institutional requirements.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative leader with experience building relationships across diverse stakeholder groups, implementing best practices, leading organizational change, and developing high-performing teams. Experience in higher education is valued but not required. Candidates with procurement, supply chain, contract management, strategic sourcing, operations, or business leadership experience from public, private, nonprofit, healthcare, government, or other complex organizations are strongly encouraged to apply.

Specific Job Responsibilities:

  • Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of procurement strategies, programs, policies, and services.
  • Provide leadership and oversight of competitive solicitation processes and contracts, including requests for proposals, requests for quotations, invitations for bids, negotiation of contracts, and mitigation of risks.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to university leadership, departments, and business units on procurement strategy, contracting, supplier management, and risk considerations.
  • Collaborate with the Office of General Counsel, Division of Information Technology, Division of Financial Services, Vice President for Research administrative units, Division of Facilities, and other partners to support institutional priorities and effective contract management.
  • Establish clear performance expectations, accountability measures, and professional development opportunities for staff.
  • Develop and present reports, dashboards, and recommendations to university leadership regarding procurement activities, opportunities, savings, risk mitigation, and service outcomes.

About Us

The Division of Financial Services at Kansas State University supports the university's mission of teaching, research, and service by providing strategic financial leadership, stewardship, and operational excellence. As part of Kansas State University, our team partners with campus units to deliver high-quality services in shared services financial and budgeting support, accounting, financial reporting, procurement, travel, and compliance. We are committed to integrity, innovation, and continuous improvement, leveraging data, technology, and collaborative relationships to ensure responsible resource management and an exceptional service experience for the K-State community.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Requires a bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience.
  • Education beyond the minimum degree requirement may count toward required experience if deemed relevant by the hiring manager. The degree requirement ensures candidates possess the financial acumen, strategic leadership and organizational management skills necessary to oversee complex business operations, develop and implement growth strategies and ensure regulatory compliance. These competencies are typically developed and rigorously validated only through the comprehensive curriculum and experiential learning inherent in a formal degree program.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience leading procurement, strategic sourcing, contract management, or supply chain functions within a large, complex organization.
  • Demonstrated success developing and implementing procurement strategies, policies, procedures, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Experience leading organizational change, business process improvements, and procurement technology implementations.
  • Strong knowledge of procurement compliance, contract administration, risk management, and competitive solicitation practices.
  • Proven ability to build collaborative relationships, influence stakeholders, and lead cross-functional teams.
  • Professional procurement certification (e.g., CPSM, CPPO, CPPB, NIGP-CPP) and/or a master's degree in business, public administration, supply chain, finance, or a related field.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • Three Professional References

Application Window

Applications close on: November 19, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$130,000-$175,000

 

Why Join Us:

Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.

Work Authorization and Sponsorship: 

Employees must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment. International candidates who require employer-sponsored work authorization are welcome to apply. Eligibility for visa sponsorship depends on several factors, including but not limited to, the job’s occupational requirements, specific duties, wage level, the candidate’s qualifications (such as degree field) and available departmental resources. As a result, not all positions or applicants will be eligible for sponsorship.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Remote and Hybrid work options:

Some positions are eligible for remote or hybrid working arrangements.  An employee who is working in a remote or hybrid capacity for K-State must reside within the United States in order to comply with all federal and state laws, filings, or tax requirements. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for anyone who resides in the state of Idaho.

Relocation to Kansas: 

Kansas participates in the MakeMyMove program, which connects eligible newcomers with participating communities offering financial incentives, housing support, and local perks to help make your move easier and more rewarding. If relocating from outside of Kansas you can visit the site to apply online for the program incentives. 

Background Screening Statement:

Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.

Interview Preferences:

Kansas State University honors interview preferences for qualified applicants who are veterans or individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, submit all required application materials, and submit required preference documentation by the closing date on the job advertisement will be granted a first-level interview.

The disability and veteran interview preferences do not apply to student employment positions, temporary positions, athletics positions, academic and administrative department heads*, positions that require licensure as a physician, and positions that require that the employee be admitted to practice law in Kansas.

*Heads of Departments refers to any individual holding a primary leadership role responsible for the overall strategic direction, management and operational oversight of a recognized academic or administrative unit within the university.

To learn more about interview preferences at K-State, please visit our interview preferences page.