Director of Global Procurement at Heifer Project International in Little Rock, Arkansas

Job Description:

Heifer Project International

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability. About Heifer International In 1944, Heifer International’s founder, Dan West, began outlining a simple but groundbreaking plan to tackle hunger around the world. West, a farmer from the Midwest and Church of the Brethren member, had recently returned from feeding weary refugees during volunteer service in the Spanish Civil War. He had seen firsthand that giving people food was a short-term solution, whereas providing them with animals offered a steady supply of nutritious food for an entire family.His philosophy still inspires Heifer’s work today. Partnering with farmers across a range of different livestock and crops, we create unique solutions to local challenges. Today, Heifer International has operations in 19 countries around the world, working alongside local farmers, business owners and their communities, as they mobilize and envision their futures. Together, we build inclusive, resilient economies, so communities can develop effective ways to end global hunger and poverty in a sustainable way. ROLE FUNCTION The Director of Global Procurement will establish and manage a robust system of procurement for Heifer International globally and supporting procurement processes in Country Offices in compliance with the Heifer Procurement Policy and Guidelines and per specific requirements of major donors. They will take ownership of Heifer International’s global procurement strategy; including a leadership role in the implementation of procurement processes and systems in partnership with key internal stakeholders. This position will collaborate with a variety of Heifer’s senior leadership on global procurement strategies and establish best practices for the organization. RESPONSIBILITIES: Global Procurement Policies, Procedures, and Systems (50%)

• Implementation of global procurement systems, ensuring coordination with financial policies and procedures.
• Development, dissemination, and maintenance of global procurement policies and procedures focused on best overall value and service, process efficiency, and compliance.
• Development, implementation and oversight of policies and procedures for contract administration and vendor management.
• Ensure that all procurement policies, procedures and systems comply with major donor regulations and are documented and updated in the global procurement manual.
• Lead initiatives to ensure awareness and adherence, across the global organization, to policies and guidelines related to anti-terrorism, applicable to Heifer’s relationships with vendors, including any relevant US and international laws.
• Develop, review and update vendor risk assessment protocols and screening processes on a periodic basis.
• Provide periodic training for procurement staff globally.

Procurement Operations (20%)

• Staff and manage a procurement team with direct responsibility for managing and supporting headquarters-based procurement transactions and high value/risk, field-based procurement activities.
• Oversee Heifer International’s procurement globally and ensure direct technical support to field-based procurement teams for atypical transactions and inquiries, in partnership with the country office procurement personnel.
• Develop and monitor key global procurement performance indicators to minimize risk, maximize value for money and ensure quality service to local, regional, and global business units.
• Ensure that all headquarters and country office teams are trained in Heifer International’s procurement policies, procedures, and systems in partnership with Global Finance team and Programs.
• Guide the design and delivery of global procurement training and new-hire orientation.
• Lead and implement Sourcing Category Management as a structured process.
• Ensure HPI sets and meets small business and diversity goals.

Cross Operation Coordination (10%)

• Represent Global Procurement on cross-functional projects and initiatives to ensure seamless and efficient policies and procedures for program teams and country offices.
• Engage with Finance, Risk Management, Enterprise Systems and Legal teams to ensure strong and effective internal controls throughout the procurement processes and systems.
• Collaborate with central, regional and country office teams to ensure adherence to anti-terrorism regulations applicable to procurement, and availability of documentation for audits and regulatory reviews.

May perform other duties as assigned (5%)

• Lead and collaborate and operational duties within the department as needed.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, or related field
• 10 years of progressively responsible experience in procurement or contract management, in the public or private sector, of which at least five years directly related to first-hand procurement is required
• Minimum 5 years' experience managing, supervising, and/or leading a team
• Minimum 3 years of global procurement experience/working on procurement processes with countries outside the United States

Preferred Requirements:

• Master’s degree in business administration, public administration or related field.
• Professional Proficiency in Spanish or languages
• Experience using Agresso/Unit 4 software
• Experience working with global organizations or NGO’s
• Multi-cultural competences and good understanding of international affairs
• Expertise in the U.S. Federal Uniform Grant Guidance and other federal regulation such as OMB circular A-122 and Single Audit Act
• Knowledge of procurement regulations related to anti-terrorism, including but not limited to the USA PATRIOT Act and OFAC requirements

Most Critical Proficiencies:

• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Managing Programs and Projects: Implements, participates in, and evaluates the results of programs, projects, or processes and manages related resources, personnel and activities to successful completion.
• Political Savvy: Ability to exhibit confidence and professional diplomacy, while effectively relating to people at all levels internally and externally.
• Demonstrated ability in implementing and managing sophisticated automated systems and strong technical computer skills.
• Proven experience with procurement regulations and standards, particularly U.S. government.
• Experience with variety of procurement requirements of non-US government agencies (Foundations, Host governments, IFAD, EU)
• Experience working in a decentralized environment required.
• Excellent verbal, written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Superior service orientation and teamwork approach.
• Fluency in English is required.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:

• May require constant sitting; working at a computer for extended periods.
• Constant face-to-face, telephone and electronic communication with colleagues and the general public.
• Ability and willingness to travel both domestically and internationally and adequate physical condition necessary to project sites in rural areas.
• Ability to prepare and present documents and reports with superior attention to detail to a wide-ranging audience.
• Strong interpersonal skills in change environment with ability to tactfully challenge the status quo, and effectively influence improvement.
• Willingness and ability to work outside of normal business hours.
• Ability to assign and evaluate the work of direct reports.
• Ability to combine effective team leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to train and work cooperatively with a diverse staff.
• Sensitivity in working with multiple cultures and beliefs, and to gender equity.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

Salary Information:

• The expected base salary range for this role is determined based on the candidate's country's location. The Transformation Effectiveness Director is a global position & welcome applications from Heifer International's 19 countries. Please share your salary requirements in the applicant questionnaire when applying for the position
• For U.S.-based candidates, the base salary range for this position is from 125k to 140k USD annually. Placement within the range will be based on the experience and competency level of the candidate.

What We Offer:

• Heifer International offers a variety of benefits for U.S. based employees working 30 or more hours per week.
• Health and wellness benefits including Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Saving Account
• Employee assistance program
• 403(b) retirement plan (match 1% employee to 2% employer up to a maximum of 4% match +3% employer discretionary contribution regardless of employee contribution)
• 22 vacation days in addition to 12 statutory and discretionary holidays, and 10 sick days per year
• Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)
• Professional development and annual merit increase opportunities
• Optional critical illness insurance, legal assistance plan and pet protection
• And more!

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with some form of disability.

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