Procurement Transformation Manager (CEMI)

Procurement Transformation Manager (CEMI)

About The Office of the Chief Procurement Officer

The Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO) provides strategic leadership and oversight for Cornell University's procurement, supplier management, payment operations, and travel & expense. OCPO is responsible for developing and implementing procurement strategies, policies, systems, and processes that support the university's academic, research, healthcare, and administrative missions. Through collaboration with stakeholders across Cornell University and Weill Cornell Medicine, OCPO drives operational excellence, supplier value, risk management, compliance, and ethical/sustainable procurement practices. Category Management & Contracts is responsible for strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, contract negotiation and administration, procurement transformation initiatives, category strategy development, and supplier-enabled value creation. The team partners with academic, research, clinical and administrative units across the university to deliver strategic procurement solutions, optimize supplier relationships, and advance institutional priorities through data-driven sourcing and contracting strategies.

The Cornell Experience Modernization Initiative (CEMI) is a multi-year program designed to improve the experience of students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, patients, and partners by unifying and enhancing administrative systems and processes across all Cornell University locations. Its name CEMI is said as “See Me” because the focus is on you: the people who use Cornell’s systems and data to accomplish your goals.

The Opportunity

Are you passionate about transforming business processes, driving organizational change, and creating exceptional user experiences through innovative procurement solutions? Cornell University is seeking a Procurement Transformation Manager (CEMI) to help shape the future of procurement across one of the world's leading research universities.

In this highly visible role, you will lead strategic initiatives that modernize procurement operations, enhance supplier engagement, streamline processes, and deliver meaningful value to the Cornell community. Working across Cornell University and Weill Cornell Medicine, you will collaborate with leaders, stakeholders, suppliers, and technology partners to advance the Cornell Experience Modernization Initiative (CEMI) and help build a more efficient, data-driven, and user-centered procurement ecosystem.

This is a 2 year term appointment which may be ended or extended based on organizational needs, funding availability, and performance.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others. 

What You'll Do

Lead Procurement Transformation & Modernization

• Leading complex procurement modernization projects that support CEMI

• Managing cross-functional initiatives involving stakeholders, suppliers, and technology providers

• Developing project plans, implementation strategies, and communication plans

• Redesigning business processes and driving continuous improvement efforts

• Monitoring project risks, dependencies, timelines, and outcomes

• Establishing metrics and measuring program success

• Supporting modernization initiatives across: 

• eProcurement

• Intake and orchestration solutions

• Requisition-to-PO processes

• Contract lifecycle management platforms

Drive Supplier & Marketplace Strategy

• Leading supplier agreement harmonization across Cornell and Weill Cornell Medicine

• Managing and optimizing Jaggaer ePro and related catalog solutions

• Leading implementation and adoption of the Labviva marketplace platform

• Developing supplier onboarding and enablement strategies

• Negotiating catalog pricing, service levels, and commercial terms

• Driving adoption of AI-enabled purchasing and catalog search capabilities

Lead Strategic Sourcing & Contracting Efforts

• Leading complex RFI, RFP, RFQ, and strategic sourcing initiatives

• Developing category and sourcing strategies for high-value spend areas

• Negotiating commercial, operational, and business terms

• Managing contract review and approval processes

• Partnering with General Counsel, Risk Management, Information Security, and business stakeholders to support contract execution

Champion Change Management & Adoption 

• Building strong partnerships across the university

• Serving as a trusted advisor to departments, suppliers, and platform providers

• Developing communication, training, and change management plans

• Facilitating workshops, governance meetings, and stakeholder engagement sessions

• Resolving complex implementation issues and balancing competing priorities

• Building consensus among diverse stakeholder groups

We're seeking a collaborative leader who brings a blend of procurement expertise, project leadership, business process improvement, and stakeholder management. If you thrive at the intersection of strategy, technology, process improvement, and stakeholder engagement, we encourage you to apply with your resume and cover letter. Join us and help reimagine the future of procurement at Cornell University.

What We Need

A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 7+ years of progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, contracts management, procurement technology, or related business operations. 

• Demonstrated experience leading complex cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. 

• Experience leading procurement transformation, process improvement, systems implementation, or organizational change initiatives. 

• Experience managing strategic supplier relationships and negotiating complex commercial agreements. 

• Proven experience leading competitive sourcing events, including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, supplier evaluations, and negotiations. 

• Experience developing, negotiating, and administering contracts in collaboration with legal, risk, compliance, and business stakeholders. 

• Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes and build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups without direct authority. 

• Experience analyzing business processes and implementing solutions that improve operational efficiency, compliance, user experience, and organizational performance. 

• Strong project management skills, including planning, execution, stakeholder engagement, risk management, and issue resolution. 

• Outstanding verbal, written, presentation, and facilitation skills. 

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and operate independently in a highly decentralized and complex organizational environment. 

• Proficiency with procurement systems, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office applications.

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.  

It Would Be a Bonus if You Have Any of the Following

• MBA or progress toward an advanced degree

• Familiarity with Cornell future-state procurement or ERP systems (e.g., Workday, Jaggaer, Labviva)

• Professional certifications (e.g., CPSM, CPM, NAEP, ISM)

• Familiarity and experience utilizing data warehouse, data analytics, and reporting tools.

Important Notes About Applying

• A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration. 

• This position is based in Ithaca, New York, however, the successful applicant may perform this role remotely anywhere within the United States. Employees who work remotely may receive multiple W-2 Forms depending on their work location.

• The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholding for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside of New York State.

• There is no relocation assistance available for this position.

• There is no visa sponsorship available for this position.

Rewards and Benefits 

• This position is based in Ithaca, New York, however, the successful applicant may perform this role remotely anywhere within the United States. Employees who work remotely may receive multiple W-2 Forms depending on their work location.

• The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholding for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside of New York State.

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell

• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell:

Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position. 

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Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

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• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

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Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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