SENIOR PROCUREMENT OFFICER

Job Description

The Senior Procurement Officer serves as a key strategic partner in CARE’s procurement operations, leading sourcing initiatives and managing contracts for goods and services. Acting as an authorized agent, this role collaborates with program and other department teams to ensure procurement aligns with organizational goals, donor requirements, and ethical standards. This position works primarily with staff in headquarters (HQ) to provide technical procurement expertise as part of a collaborative team to achieve departmental objectives in terms of value for money and other departmental objectives.

With a strong emphasis on strategic sourcing, the officer oversees sourcing strategies, competitive bidding processes, contract negotiation, and ensures compliance with U.S. laws and CARE policies. The role also provides technical expertise across the whole of the procurement and contract lifecycle to key stakeholders. This includes the use of technology to automate the overall procurement and contract lifecycle. A customer-focused approach is essential to delivering value and mitigating risk across the organization

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Planning

• Coach internal customers on how to get the best value when procuring goods and services. Develop and implement sourcing strategies with customers, that align with CARE overall and individual departmental objectives and needs. This is a combination of training the key stakeholders in how to conduct best practice procurement in more of a self serve model for lower value/risk procurements and taking the lead in conducting the procurement for higher value/risk requirements, according to the Procurement Policy requirements. This includes conducting market analysis and supplier evaluations to identify opportunities for cost savings and value creation. Lead competitive bidding processes (RFPs, RFQs) and negotiate contracts with vendors and service providers for higher value/risk purchases. Ensure procurement decisions reflect the organization’s values, including diversity, equity, and sustainability and that all purchases comply with all policies, local laws and regulations, and donor requirements

Relationship and Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with internal departments to understand their procurement needs and priorities. Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to improve procurement planning and forecasting. Maintain open communication with vendors and partners to foster trust and long-term engagement

Manage RFPs and ongoing contract mgmt. for higher value/risk procurements

• Lead the RFQ/RFI/RFP process for purchases over the thresholds as defined in the Procurement Policy, collaborating with cross-functional headquarters teams. Define the sourcing strategy, identify and guide selection committees, negotiate contracts, and ensure best value for CARE. Manage the full contract lifecycle, including execution, amendments, and performance monitoring. Apply expertise in contract management and legal terminology to ensure accuracy, compliance, and risk mitigation. Ensure contracts include clear milestones and deliverables to support performance tracking and protect CARE’s interests. Maintain compliance with CARE policies, donor requirements, and applicable laws, while staying current on industry standards

Embedding best practice procurement

• Lead collaboration with CARE employees to ensure procurement policies and procedures reflect industry best practices and organizational values. Serve as a thought leader in nonprofit procurement and key spend categories, staying current with industry trends and donor-specific procurement requirements. Use technology, tools and templates to streamline the procurement and contract lifecycle across HQ procurement. Help design and deliver training on procurement best practices to stakeholders at various levels across the CARE organization

Required Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Public Administration, or related field (Master’s preferred).
- Minimum 5–7 years of procurement experience, preferably in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
- Proven experience in strategic sourcing and stakeholder engagement, with
a particular focus on service categories such as consultancy, and marketing.
- Training in negotiation, analytical, and project management skills.
- Experience with donor compliance (i.e., federal grants, foundations) and ethical procurement standards.
Proficiency in procurement systems and tools (i.e, Oracle, or similar platforms)
- Strong understanding of strategic sourcing processes
- Strong administration and contract negotiation skills.
- Self-motivated, organized and able to work independently.
- Strong ability to manage and handle high volumes of activity.
- Strong and effective negotiation skills
- Demonstrates excellent customer service, strong collaborative experience in building credibility with stakeholders.
- Ability to analyze, interpret, develop and implement policies and procedures.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Ability to interact positively with diverse groups, such as teaching and research faculty, fiscal staff and various other groups
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
- Knowledge of contract administration.
- Sound decision making and problem resolution skills

Preferred Qualifications:

- CIPS(Charter Institute Procurement and Supply
- CPM (Certified Purchasing Manager) or APP (Accredited Purchasing Professional)