Senior Strategic Sourcing Buyer

Position Number: 40029028

Payroll Title: STRAT SOURCING PROFL 3 (008827)

Job Code: 008827

Job Open Date: 4/9/2026

Application Review Begins: 4/24/2026

Department Code (Name): CTLR (CONTROLLER)

Percentage of Time: 100%

Union Code (Name): 99

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: Grade 23

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $88,000 to $106,400/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $88,000 to $161,600/year.

Work Location: Student Affairs & Admin Svs - 3203

Working Days and Hours: M-F; 8am-5pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: Other- BFS supports a hybrid agreement for this position and will continue to do so as long as it makes sense for the position and meets the campus policies.

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:

In support of the UCSB Mission and UC Statement of Ethical Values, Business & Financial Services is an integral campus and community partner, providing sustainable value-added services and solutions to ensure responsible compliance and stewardship.

Benefits of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties:

With high degree of autonomy develops strategies that result in best-in-class strategic sourcing practices and supplier relationships. Identifies projects to apply sourcing and purchasing / procurement methodology to leverage annual purchase volume and rationalize supplier base to ensure benefits / savings to University. Partners with internal clients and stakeholders to identify sourcing needs; conduct buyer / market profiles; share marketplace trends; develop sourcing strategies; share best practices and define acceptable service levels. Performs duties with a high degree of independence, analyzing complex spend data, marketplace intelligence, and long range strategic plans to develop supplier partnerships that reduce total cost of ownership, mitigate supply chain risks, and increase revenue generation. Delegated authority to act on behalf of the Regents of the University of California in negotiations between UCSB and private/industrial/governmental agencies and companies. Requires expert knowledge of University policies regarding materiel and risk management, as well as Public Contract Codes, Federal procurement regulations, and the Uniform Commercial Code. Utilizes a flexible approach to purchasing and negotiation services without sacrificing required controls, and ensures that all commitments and promises are fulfilled. Strives to continually improve services and find new and innovative ways to exceed customer requirements. Maintains quality assurance function for the purchasing group.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• Must have extensive working knowledge of all procurement policies, procedures and regulations.

• Advanced listening and communication skills, including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner verbally and in writing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPPO, CPPB or CPSM
• In-depth knowledge of strategic sourcing policies, practices and systems.
• In-depth knowledge/expertise of IT, Life Sciences, Professional Services, or other sourcing commodity / category.
• 3+ years Experience in sourcing from a global supply base using various contractual models or related field preferred.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employee sponsorship
• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• 50% Strategic Sourcing - Leads development of the strategic sourcing pipeline and develops strategies to forecast and support sourcing activities for high dollar and complex procurement contracts for all goods and services commodity categories inclusive of $80M in annual goods and services expenditures. Leads ad-hoc and client workgroups composed of campus subject matter experts and designated control point representatives to develop negotiation strategies for commodity and category purchase agreements based on market research and advanced knowledge and expertise of pricing and terms. Develops sufficiently detailed specifications to enable effective sourcing of goods or services to support bids or reverse auctions that maximize savings or revenue potential for campus clientele. Accountable for development of strategies to reduce costs, rationalize supplier database, and lead quality improvement and process efficiency initiatives with sourcing partners; including best-in-class service, timely delivery, customer satisfaction, lowest TCO, and alignment of industry partners with UC sustainability policy. Provides advice and counsel to campus personnel by interpreting and explaining these rules and regulations appropriately and accurately. Prepares and maintains fully documented procurement files. Provides information and works with campus, system-wide and federal auditors when audits occur.
• 40% Strategic Sourcing Liaison - Serves as campus representative and single point of contact (SPOC) to UCOP Procurement Services Strategic Sourcing Centers of Excellence Commodity Director(s). Manages campus engagement and participation in system wide and regional sourcing events. Coordinates with Control Points or designees to resolve issues regarding stakeholder/subject matter expert participation and escalates issues that may affect adoption/compliance to the Chief Procurement Officer for resolution. Analyzes campus data and campus profile to align system wide and regional souring objectives with campus needs.
• 10% Other - Works on special projects and serves on committees as directed by the Purchasing & Contracts Manager. Provides advanced training on Sourcing and Procurement law as needed. Gathers information for Public Records Requests related to sourcing events. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as appropriate.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.
As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Reasonable Accommodations:

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