_Sanford Burnham Prebys is a preeminent, independent biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding human biology and disease, and advancing scientific discoveries to profoundly impact human health. _
A PROCUREMENT DIRECTOR position in the Procurement and Materials Operations Department is available.
The incumbent will direct all activities related to the procurement, contracts, shipping & receiving and stockroom functions for the California location. The Director is responsible for the day-to-day management and strategic operations of Procurement and Material Operations and leads the entire team in a customer-focused and strategic manner. The Director will engage in collaborative efforts with all departments across the Institute to leverage best practice procurement and warehouse strategies to maximize value and support strategic initiatives related to supplier selection, including diversity and sustainability. The Director will implement procurement strategies that identify and support the needs of the researchers and improves processes targeting cost reduction, process efficiencies and mitigation of risk. The Director has primary responsibility for the planning, directing, implementing, maintaining, and monitoring of the procurement e-commerce system and its integration with the Finance department; ensuring the functional needs of staff and end users are met and supported.
Primary Responsibilities
- Directs development and implementation of a strategic procurement, shipping/receiving and stockroom strategies and ensures best practices aligned with Institute goals and objectives
- Directs and manages all activities within the Procurement department including, but not limited to shipping/receiving, stockroom, distribution of incoming supplies, purchase of all materials, capital equipment and contracted services. Identifies operational problems and formulates appropriate solutions
- Develops and implements appropriate Institute procedures and policies in relation to the purchase of all goods and services; ensures compliance with state and federal laws and regulations relative to the procurement function and mitigate overall business risk for the Institute
- Informs labs and administrative departments of procurement policies and procedures through multiple methods of communications such as newsletters and keeping the department intranet up to date
- Develops and maintains excellent working relationships with all departments and internal and external constituencies through understanding their purpose and objectives. Promote and maintain the good name of the Institute while conducting business in an ethical and professional manner to ensure avoidance of all actual and potential conflicts of interest
- Serves as the primary resource for all customers, scientific and administrative, on procurement-related issues and best practices. Advises on the most cost-effective purchase methods and alternate products and recommends substitutes. Oversees training and instruction to customers to provide direction as it relates to procurement
- Oversees all personnel decisions for the Procurement department including the hiring, firing, and training of staff, assigning workloads to ensure expedient provision of services. Provide continuous staff development opportunities to ensure staff possesses sufficient training and required skill levels to perform their assigned tasks in a proficient manner; ensure proficiency is maintained in current technologies. Promote and support ongoing teamwork within the department
- Develops resource allocation strategies, allocates budgets, staff, tools, and specialized support necessary for cost-effective operations. Analyze and identify budgetary requirements needed to achieve department and Institute missions
- Oversees negotiations for pricing discounts and pricing agreements with vendors with an emphasis on reducing costs and maximizing value for all Institute funds expended and to optimize Institute benefits of contract management, pricing, consolidation of spend, product trends and marketing of new products
- Coordinates use of small, minority owned and disadvantage businesses to comply with government regulations and vendor diversity efforts
- Establishes and cultivates collaborative efforts with local peer organizations (“P3” with Salk and Scripp’s procurement departments) to achieve cost savings of lab supplies and equipment by leveraging spend from their respective sites
- Coaches and counsels employees including implementing corrective action and discipline. Develops performance improvement plans if an employee’s performance is not adequate
- Ensures that job descriptions accurately record the primary responsibilities, qualifications and terms for each job role in their group and that employees follow the Institute’s policies and procedures
- Serve as primary resource for household and lab relocation of faculty, researchers, and administration. Coordinates relocation services for both household and lab materials understanding deadlines, staying within the budgetary confines allotted and keeping in compliance with policies
Required Skills
Required Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited school in Business, Business Management, Finance, Accounting or Procurement/Supply Chain Management, or the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience is required
- Minimum of 8 years comprehensive experience in procurement management in the biopharmaceutical and/or biomedical industry is required.
- Experience in a large nonprofit or biotech/life science environment preferred
- Management experience to include oversight of departments through subordinate managers, complex processes and large spend categories.
- Must have a proven track record of effectiveness and positive outcomes
- Experience in systems and electronic procurement knowledge; advanced skill and experience in an e-procurement environment (Jaggaer, Arriba, OneSolution, etc.) and the ability to develop workflow that expedites the ordering process and required approvals
Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, ability to facilitate large meetings, handle presentations professionally and ability to speak to large audiences with ease
- Superior negotiation and project management skills and experience as well as the ability to lead cross-functional teams
- Strong leadership, management, and mentoring skills. Excellent employee development and performance management skills with the ability to develop, support, motivate and supervise professional and administrative staff
- Knowledge of the organizational environment to understand priorities, issues, motivations and constraints
- Solid business acumen and analytical skills
- Embody the Institute’s core values of Commitment, Collaboration, Communication, Community and Compassion
The scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute are making research breakthroughs in cancer, neuroscience, immunology, and children's disease. We are also at the forefront of finding solutions for health threats such as COVID-19, where we are working to identify drugs that may help millions of people. During our more than 40 year history, we have established an NCI-designated Cancer Center, designed one of the most sophisticated drug discovery centers in the nonprofit world, and created global collaborations that are leading to preventions, treatments and cures to improve human health.
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute is an Equal Opportunity employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability – committed to the hiring, advancement and fair treatment of all individuals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected status as designated by federal, state or local law. For additional information about your rights as an applicant, click HERE.