Strategic Sourcing and Implementation Manager

South University provides a warm, supportive learning environment that will encourage you to join a community of faculty, staff and students eager to play a role in helping you achieve your professional goals, on campus and online.
 
 The South University 125-year story—past, present, and future—is a history formed by the many individuals who have developed the education and spirit of community that have become our pledge to students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters of South University. Whether you have been part of the University family for many years, have recently come our way, or are thinking about joining us, you will find South University to be a place you can call home.
 
 What's next for you is the first priority for us!

 Visit www.southuniversity.edu today to learn more about what makes us stand apart as a place to Belong, Believe and Become, a place where you can make a difference in the lives of students eager to learn and grow
 
 South University, the right direction for a brighter future.
 
 SUMMARY:
 The Strategic Sourcing and Implementation Manager acts as part of the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) team to develop and manage strategic sourcing policies as well as manage our vendor partnerships and support their implementation into our courses. Responsibilities include managing vendor relations, creating cost estimates and forecasts, negotiating cost-effective contracts with key suppliers, and overseeing the implementation of those tools to improve our courses. Incumbent must assure that the Company philosophy: quality services to clients; development, growth, involvement, and recognition of employees; sound economic principles; and environment which is conducive to innovation, positive thinking and expansion - is considered in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of this position
 
 KEY JOB ELEMENTS:
 1. Analyzing and calculating procurement costs and developing cost reduction strategies
 2. Negotiating contracts with key suppliers, including costs and terms of supply, service, and quality
 3. Conducting market research, as well as creating cost estimates and forecasts.
 4. Maintaining strategic sourcing relationships and developing strong partnerships
 5. Supporting the Onboarding new vendors and implementing their tools within the classroom
 6. Asses project requirements, develop scope and project plan to ensure that the implementation of products is completed on time, within budget and meets stakeholders’ expectations
 7. Responds, troubleshoots and resolves escalated stakeholder issues during and after implementation
 8. Maintain the Digital Resource Budget
 9. Support vendor billing and invoicing
 10. Maintain and Troubleshoot vendor integrations alongside the CTLE team
 11. Manage and Support special projects as needed
 12. Remain current with and have a thorough understanding of the latest industry technology tools and trends in online education and implement improvements.
 13. Work with team to manage SME output and oversee SME payment milestones. Obtain and manage required SME, course, and program level approvals in coordination with team.
 14. Work with the team to ensure that courses are completed prior to duplication dates, to ensure that courses pass Company internal QA in a single attempt, and that there is a high level of stakeholder satisfaction.
 15. Complete other duties as assigned.
 
 JOB REQUIREMENTS:
 • Bachelor's degree in business, economics, finance, logistics, or in a related field, masters preferred
 • Minimum of 5 years procurement experience in a related industry
 • Minimum of 5 years project and budget management
 • Minimum of 5 years of vendor management and negotiation experience
 • Strong knowledge of and demonstrated skill with online learning technologies. Experience with one or more LMS required.
 • Strong computer skills. MS Office Suite.
 • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
 • Exceptional analytical and strategic thinking abilities
 • Strong interpersonal skills with student and staff populations.
 • Superior organization, prioritization, and self-motivation skills.
 • High level of skill and experience using a variety of digital communications tools for timely and effective communication with academic and administrative stakeholders, co-workers and vendors.
 • Superior organization, prioritization, and self-motivation skills.
 • Must be able to evaluate, obtain, and deploy resources necessary for project completion while remaining within established timelines and budgets.
 • Demonstrated skill as a mentor to coworkers and outside contractors.
 • Must be able to evaluate, obtain, and deploy resources necessary for project completion while remaining within established timelines and budgets.
 • Willingness to travel to develop, promote, and maintain strategic sourcing relationships
 
 ENVIRONMENT:
 The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term "qualified individual with a disability" means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email, video conference, and other electronic means, move about the office or school, handle various types of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess.
 
 South University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student and graduate success. We are committed to building and developing a diverse environment where a variety of ideas, cultures and perspectives can thrive.