Senior Business/Administrative Associate (Assistant Director of Procurement Operations)

$110,000 - $115,000/Yr

University of Illinois - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Senior

Chicago, IL

Educational Services

About the position

The Senior Business/Administrative Associate (Assistant Director of Procurement Operations) at UIC Purchasing is responsible for providing high-level leadership and management of a team of purchasing professionals. This role involves overseeing administrative, financial, operational, HR, and data support functions, while serving as a strategic advisor to the Assistant Vice Chancellor. The position aims to improve efficiencies in purchasing and contracting processes, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and university policies.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of purchasing professionals in all operations for UIC Purchasing.
• Serve as the project lead for various key initiatives.
• Improve efficiencies in purchasing and contracting processes through continuous process improvement.
• Ensure timely handling of purchase orders, change orders, and vendor updates.
• Oversee effective utilization of University of Illinois enterprise systems and support resolution of technical issues.
• Coordinate efficient closing of purchase orders leveraging batch closes and process automation.
• Develop and implement strategies to integrate departmental objectives and maximize resources.
• Serve as primary Unit Security Contact and manage Security Application activities.
• Assist with fiscal management, prepare financial reports, and reconcile expenditures.
• Design and manage the University's departmental webpage using WordPress.
• Lead data analytics activities in support of purchasing and supplier diversity initiatives.
• Monitor internal departmental performance through management reports and data analysis.
• Support procurement diversity initiatives and respond to data requests.
• Collect and analyze data to recommend procurement strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, management, or a related field.
• 10 years of professional business, financial, and/or managerial work experience.
• Master's Degree may substitute for one year of work experience.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a higher education setting.
• Knowledge of IL State Procurement Code.
• Knowledge of UIC Purchasing processes and procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of purchasing and HR principles and policies.
• Knowledge of University of IL purchasing, data, and HR Information Systems.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability & AD&D insurance
• Defined benefit pension plan
• Paid leaves such as Vacation, Holiday and Sick
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependents