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The University Business Partner is the primary relationship owner for an assigned portfolio of Duke University schools, research units, administrative departments, central services (Finance, HR, IT, etc.), and other University clients. This position serves as the front door to Enterprise Supply Chain, translating business needs into sourcing, procurement, contracting, supplier management, and operational solutions.
The role blends strategic sourcing expertise with consultative business partnership to improve the client experience, strengthen supplier performance, ensure policy compliance, reduce operational friction, and identify measurable opportunities for savings, cost avoidance, risk reduction, and operational improvement. The position functions as a senior individual contributor who influences outcomes through collaboration, data-driven decision making, and cross-functional leadership.  The senior role also serves as category leader, mentor, coach and operational resource for group.

Strategic Business Partnership

• Serve as the primary Supply Chain Business Partner for an assigned client portfolio.
• Build trusted relationships with University leadership and key stakeholders.
• Develop stakeholder engagement plans, communication cadences, issue logs, and escalation pathways.
• Understand each client's strategic priorities, purchasing patterns, supplier dependencies, funding environment, and operational objectives.

Strategic Sourcing and Contract Management

• Lead competitive sourcing initiatives and develop sourcing strategies that leverage institutional buying power.
• Negotiate supplier agreements and evaluate bids and proposals.
• Coordinate contract development, renewals, amendments, implementation, and adoption.
• Partner with Contracting Services to ensure agreements comply with University policy and applicable laws.
• Support research purchasing, grant-funded acquisitions, audit readiness, federal compliance, and warehousing coordination
• Partner with HomeGrown and economic mobility resources to identify candidate spend, upcoming bids, local supplier opportunities, operational barriers, and appropriate Durham, Triangle, or North Carolina supplier pathways.

Supplier Relationship and Performance Management

• Manage supplier relationships throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Monitor supplier performance, resolve service issues, coordinate corrective actions, and support supplier onboarding.
• Facilitate dispute resolution and promote contract compliance.

Portfolio Coordination and Operational Excellence

• Coordinate resources across Procurement Operations, Purchasing, Analytics, Shared Services, Warehousing, Research Administration, and other Enterprise Supply Chain functions.
• Partner to bring resolution to purchasing issues involving requisitions, purchase orders, invoices, suppliers, receiving, and payments.
• Identify recurring operational issues and recommend sustainable process improvements.

Value Creation and Continuous Improvement

• Develop and manage a portfolio pipeline of savings, cost avoidance, supplier consolidation, contract utilization, spend optimization, demand aggregation, and risk reduction opportunities.
• Use spend analytics, supplier intelligence, and stakeholder feedback to prioritize improvement initiatives.

Reporting and Communication

• Prepare executive-ready reports, Quarterly Business Reviews, sourcing pipeline updates, issue summaries, and portfolio performance metrics.

• Work requires a Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain management, or any other related areas.
• Requires a minimum of seven years experience in strategic sourcing/ procurement/contract management in various Professional Services categories such as Food and Nutrition Services, Facilities Services, Patient Support Services, Consulting and Advisory Services, Business Services, Financial Services, Human Resource Services, Revenue Cycle Services, Office Supplies, Print Management Services, and Leasing and Rental Services.
• Experience in data analysis and the development of contract terms and Standards.
• Knowledge of contract terms and conditions.

• Demonstrated success working in a complex, matrixed organization with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience supporting higher education, healthcare, academic research, or similarly decentralized organizations.
• Professional certification such as CPSM, CPSD, CPM, or equivalent.
• Experience with ERP, eProcurement, and spend analytics platforms.

• Strategic sourcing and negotiation
• Business relationship management
• Supplier performance management
• Analytical and financial acumen
• Project and change management
• Executive communication and presentation
• Problem solving and conflict resolution
• Influence without direct authority
• Continuous improvement mindset

Acts as a senior contributor with enterprise-wide influence across Supply Chain and University departments. Works through cross-functional teams rather than direct supervisory authority to improve purchasing execution, client experience, supplier performance, contract utilization, compliance, and measurable value creation.

• High stakeholder satisfaction and trusted business relationships.
• Improved purchasing efficiency and reduced operational friction.
• Increased contract utilization and supplier performance.
• Documented savings, cost avoidance, and value creation.
• Effective risk identification and compliance with University policies.
• Timely resolution of procurement and supplier issues.
• Clear executive reporting and portfolio transparency.

Collaborates extensively with University leadership, faculty, research administration, Procurement Operations, Strategic Sourcing, Contracting Services, Finance, Shared Services, suppliers, and other Enterprise Supply Chain partners.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Responsibilities may be modified to meet organizational needs.