Director of Procurement

To apply, email your résumé and cover letter to kgray@heartofamerica.org.

Heart of America (HOA) is a national nonprofit organization that has provided high-quality education resources and transformed spaces in under-resourced schools into modern learning environments so that students and communities can learn and grow. Over the past 26 years, HOA has served more than two million students in need by distributing more than 4.3 million books, infusing $9.5 million in technology, and transforming nearly 1,000 community libraries, cafeterias, gymnasiums, college and career centers, tech labs, and many more educational spaces across North America. If you are looking for a career where you can have an impact and make a difference - join us! For more information, visit www.heartofamerica.org

The Director of Procurement oversees the strategic procurement of products for Heart of America transformation and resource distribution projects. This role will develop and/or update procurement policies and procedures and manage a centralized procurement program that will add value and efficiency to the organization. The individual utilizes strong organizational, planning, and persuasion abilities to analyze costs, negotiate contract details, and offer strategies and solutions to ensure HOA has access to high-quality and affordable items to meet its various project needs. This hands-on position will manage the Procurement Team and will be responsible for completing purchasing transactions on a regular basis. This position reports to the Sr. VP, Design & Procurement, and works closely with the Operations and Program Delivery departments in coordinating the securing of resources and the implementation of effective procedures.

This position can be based in either Washington DC or Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN.

At The Heart of America Foundation, we look for people who work with their heads AND their hearts. Talent is essential, but talent is not enough. We are looking for people who are passionate about our mission and goals and who are committed to an organizational culture based on compassion, integrity, respect, and cooperation.

HOA offers medical, dental, paid holidays, vacation leave, and a 403(b) plan.

The salary range is $75,000 - $88,000K per year commensurate with experience.

Please include a cover letter telling us why you are interested and would be a good fit for this position.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Provides leadership for Procurement Team, sustaining HOA’s values and supporting staff during organizational growth.
2. Ensures programmatic excellence.
3. Manages and promotes relationships with key stakeholders, promoting outstanding customer service and establishing strong working relationships.
4. Establishes and executes HOA procurement strategy.
5. Other duties as assigned.

Detail of Responsibilities:

Provides leadership for Procurement Team, sustaining HOA’s values and supporting staff during organizational growth.

• As leader of the Procurement team, this staff member will guide and engage in short and long-term strategic planning for efforts focused on, but not limited to research, sourcing, procurement, inventory, shipping, delivery, and distribution efforts (as needed).
• Ensure alignment of decision-making, goal setting, and problem-solving for procurement, and inventory as directed by Mission/Vision.
• Provide a clear link between organizational goals and objectives and team job descriptions and individual roles and responsibilities.

Ensures programmatic excellence based on HOA’s Operating Principles.

• Attract, develop, coach, and retain high-performance team members, empowering them to elevate their level of responsibility and performance.
• Provide leadership in the development of inter-team communications and cohesiveness, sustaining HOA’s values and supporting staff during organizational growth.
• Demonstrate consistent quality of finance and administration; communications and systems; recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve program goals. Ensure that key project outcomes are evaluated and leveraged for maximum community and organizational impact.

Manages and promotes relationships with key stakeholders, internally and externally, promoting outstanding customer service and establishing strong working relationships.

• Cultivates an internal and external “customer service” driven team supporting other HOA Departments such as Design, Innovations, Project Management, Warehouse and more.
• Sources, maintains and nurtures partnerships with external HOA vendors through relationship cultivation in order to secure the best price points, discounts and delivery of goods.
• Act as representative and spokesperson to promote positive relationships and strong partnerships for the benefit of the organization.

Establishes and executes HOA procurement strategy.

• Lead the definition and implementation of HOA’s procurement strategy, policies, and processes to ensure efficient and cost-effective purchasing within the organization, contributing to the successful execution of HOA projects.
• Responsible for sourcing new and maintaining current/former relationships with vendors, including negotiating and cataloging vendor discounts, and providing product recommendations to the HOA team. Work with Design on all furnishing-related vendors.
• Monitors the performance of suppliers, assessing their ability to meet quality and delivery requirements. Examine and evaluate marketplace business conditions, vendor opportunities, and new product introductions. Engage in sourcing to find alternative or new vendors to improve quality, cost, and/or lead time.
• Maintain accurate procurement forecast, anticipating purchasing spend capacity. Work closely with the finance department on purchasing tools including credit cards, ACH use, and purchasing terms with vendors. Approve invoices for payment and troubleshoot payment issues with suppliers.
• Responsible for purchasing all FFEs, technology, supplies, and books, accurately and timely according to project timelines. Understanding and adhering to the program materials, tech, and supplies budgets.
• Track and communicate the status of orders to project managers and/or Innovation Team, addressing delivery, damages, and warranty issues, and communicating in a timely manner.
• Ensure accurate administration and tracking of all vendors, discounts, and related information in HOA systems (e.g., Salesforce)

Other duties as assigned.

• Assist Project Managers on selected makeover projects where needed.

Skills and Knowledge

• Bachelor's degree or 4+ years of experience in procurement; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven ability to build relationships/partnerships with business partners & vendors.
• Proven complex contract negotiation and vendor relationship management skills.
• Experience within corporate philanthropy and/or nonprofits desired.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervision experience, particularly in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.
• Proven record of managing program budgets including creating program budgets and delivering program results within budget
• Team management and direct report experience.
• Experience building and establishing relationships with organization stakeholders.
• Knowledge of building/construction industries is strongly preferred.
• Experience in process improvement.

Abilities & Competencies:

• Highly organized and skilled at managing multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Commitment to quality programs and excellence in organizational and project management.
• Ability to develop and direct long-term projects as they relate to the strategic goals of the organization, establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives without close supervision.
• Integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed.
• Ability to achieve strategic objectives and manage a budget.
• Must meet strict deadlines on a consistent basis.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Ability to get along well with diverse personalities and interact with people at different levels within an organization with tact, flexibility, and discretion.
• Ability to conduct presentations in small and large group settings.
• Technologically proficient (Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to drive an SUV or minivan.