North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) is seeking a strategic and experienced procurement leader to serve as Director of Procurement Services at a moment of opportunity for operational enhancement and process improvement within the University’s purchasing function. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance, the Director will provide leadership and oversight of a structured, compliance-driven procurement operation within the UNC System and State of North Carolina regulatory environment. The Director will lead a team of procurement professionals while directly managing complex and high-value procurements, ensuring adherence to State purchasing guidelines, delegated authority requirements, and institutional policy. Serving as both a hands-on practitioner and strategic leader, the Director will strengthen procurement effectiveness, enhance value across institutional spend, and advance opportunities for greater efficiency through more integrated procure-to-pay practices. In partnership with University leadership, the Director will also play a key role in improving systems, strengthening training, and positioning the function to support the University’s evolving needs.
The Director advances strategic, customer-focused procurement practices that maximize institutional resources, promote fair and open competition, mitigate risk, and serve as a trusted partner to campus stakeholders. In doing so, the Director serves as a strategic yet hands-on leader who balances service orientation with regulatory compliance, demonstrates strong judgment and credibility in advising senior administrators, builds and sustains effective relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and external agencies, and applies a process-driven mindset to modernize operations while maintaining strong controls.
This role presents a significant opportunity to evolve procurement beyond traditional purchasing operations into a more integrated procure-to-pay (P2P) model. The Director will strengthen alignment between procurement and disbursement functions, improve end-to-end process visibility, and enhance coordination across the full lifecycle of purchasing and payment activities. This includes opportunities to streamline workflows, strengthen systems usage, and improve operational consistency within a structured public-sector environment.
Operating within UNC System and State of North Carolina procurement guidelines, the Director will have the opportunity to maximize institutional value within defined constraints. This includes identifying opportunities to improve procurement outcomes, enhance purchasing efficiency, and increase return on spend—particularly through optimization of procurement card usage and rebate opportunities. The role requires a leader who can identify practical efficiencies while maintaining strict compliance with policy and procedure.
This position offers the opportunity to lead meaningful operational improvement in a compliance-driven environment where structure is essential. The Director will be expected to bring fresh thinking to training, systems, and process consistency, while working effectively within established State and UNC System requirements. Success in this role requires the ability to identify opportunities for improvement and implement practical enhancements within defined regulatory boundaries.
The ideal candidate will bring a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Supply Chain Management, or a closely related field. They will have five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in public-sector purchasing or procurement, along with experience procuring goods and services across multiple commodity categories. The candidate will have experience interpreting and applying statutes, administrative code, and procurement policies, as well as demonstrated supervisory or management experience overseeing professional and technical staff. They will also have experience managing or overseeing competitive bidding, contract administration, vendor negotiations, procurement compliance, and internal controls. Preferred candidates will have experience in higher education or another complex public institution, along with experience managing decentralized or campus-wide procurement operations and experience responding to or supporting audits and compliance reviews. Professional certification such as CPPO, CPPB, or CPSM is also preferred.
Screening will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. Completed applications should include a CV and a cover letter addressing interest and should be submitted using our Talent Profile.
Nominations and inquiries should be directed electronically to ncat_procurementservices@dsgco.com This is a full-time position that will be performed on site in North Carolina. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. No one who applies or seeks employment will be denied consideration at North Carolina A&T State based on race, religion, national origin, sex, age, disabling condition, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or sexual orientation or sexual identity.
