Manager, Procurement & Accounts Payable

Responsible for managing the College’s purchasing operations including vendor relations, database management, contract management, and assisting the Director, Procurement & Accounts Payable in Accounts Payable operational functions. Specifically responsible for participating in developing and implementing business policies and procedures to ensure proper internal controls are achieved, including adherence to budget control and compliance with tax requirements; providing effective management of the procurement and accounts payable services to Babson College; working closely with the Budget Team and Procurement-Card Services, Director of Vendor DE&I, and the AVP/Treasury Management Controller to ensure the College’s purchasing dollars are optimized; and serving in the role of primary backup in the absence of the Director.

Key Responsibilities:
•    Manages and oversees the procurement process for Babson College including approving selected Purchase Orders; reviewing purchase requisitions for required documentation, proper authorizations, and adherence to budget control; and    investigating disputed items and participates in problem resolution.
•    Responsible for understanding and fully utilizing the capabilities of the Workday Financial system, including preparing standard reports and designing new reports for enhanced management control.
•    Reviews open Purchase Orders and commitments for completeness and accuracy; performs periodic maintenance as required; and works with Accounts Payable to ensure Purchase Orders and Supplier Invoices are aligned and applied accordingly.
•    Responsible for all problem resolution matters between the campus community, Accounts Payable, Receiving, and the College’s outside vendors.
•    Negotiates with vendors and participates in the contract review process to ensure that purchasing dollars are optimized based on the requirements of the College.   Provides support to the college community in the competitive bidding process.
•    Works closely with Accounts Payable to maintain a College wide contract database to house original contracts and agreements in a centralized location, as addressed in the newly Board of Trustee’s approved Contract Signature Authority Policy effective July 1, 2022.  
•    Works with General Counsel, Risk Management, and Accounts Payable to ensure that required documents (e.g., W-9, Certificate of Insurance, Data Security Agreement) accompany all contracts, agreements, and purchase orders and to ensure that payments are processed properly. 
•    Works closely with the Director of Vendor DE&I to ensure all RFP’s, RPI, and other contracts include opportunities for diversified vendor relationships.
•    Administers the College’s purchasing policies/procedures and regularly communicates with members of the campus community on policy changes and other purchasing issues.  
•    Supports management in process review and design for streamlining operational efficiencies.
•    Works closely with IT and Facilities on capital and operating contracts in collaboration with Budget team members.
•    Assists Special Events, College Marketing, and Alumni Relations with the logistical requirements for all College events.
•    Assists Academic Services with FME Businesses and related purchasing questions and requests. 
•    Collaborates with Human Resources on purchasing training to selected management groups as needed.
•    Assumes additional responsibilities as required.
Manages:
Senior Buyer
Work-Study Student Assistants
Education Requirements:
Minimum Level of Education Required    Bachelor’s Degree – Business Related; must be C.P.M. certified
Position Knowledge/Skills & Abilities Requirements:
•    Must have at least 5 years of related experience in procurement and/or accounts payable.
•    Must have strong leadership and management skills
•    Must have strong communication skills
•    Must have strong negotiation skills and knowledge of contract documents
•    Must have strong analytical skills, particularly financial analysis
•    Ability to create an environment where direct reports have the freedom and security to take initiative; deal with complexities with resilience, resourcefulness, and optimism; and appreciate open mindedness, creativity, and agility in thought and tactics. 
•    Ability to embrace ideas and changes created by all community members.  
•    Ability to work independently to solve problems; look for opportunities to take on responsibility; take thoughtful risks; and effectively act on new and ongoing initiatives, objectives, and solutions to gain sought-after results.
•    Ability to anticipate and effectively handle change; demonstrate willingness to try new skills and challenging tasks; and is flexible in changing conditions.
•    Knowledge of applicable tax laws
•    Must have computer proficiency including spreadsheet, word processing, database, and financial systems
Working Conditions:
•    Babson College requires all Babson faculty and staff members authorized to work on our campuses or any other property owned or controlled by the College to verify that they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19. We have extended our vaccination policy to require a COVID-19 booster shot for all eligible community members as well. Faculty and staff must provide booster vaccination information upon hire or within 21 days of becoming eligible for a booster (unless granted a medical accommodation or religious exemption). Requests for medical accommodation or religious exemption should be addressed directly to Human Resources
Additional Experience, Skills & Abilities:
•    Workday Financials experience is a plus
•    Must be CPM certified