Chief Purchase Officer

Role OverviewIndira University is seeking a Chief Purchase Officer to lead the institution’s procurement and purchasing activities. This position will shape sourcing strategy, strengthen supplier partnerships, ensure policy compliance, and help deliver timely, cost-effective acquisition of goods, services, equipment, and project resources across the university.Experience & BackgroundThe ideal candidate should bring 15 to 20 years of progressive experience across procurement, purchasing, supply chain management, and vendor development, along with at least 5 years in a leadership position overseeing sizeable procurement operations. Experience in educational institutions, construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, or large corporate environments is preferred. The profile should also demonstrate success in handling high-value purchases, commercial negotiations, and strategic sourcing programs.Age RequirementApplicants should be between 40 and 55 years of age.Education & CertificationsA bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Commerce, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a closely related discipline is required. A postgraduate degree or MBA in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Procurement, or Finance is preferred. Professional credentials such as CPSM, CIPS, CSCP, or similar certifications will be considered an advantage.What the Role InvolvesThe Chief Purchase Officer will be responsible for building procurement plans, managing vendor ecosystems, negotiating commercial terms, overseeing purchase execution, and supporting project and institutional growth through disciplined procurement practices. The role requires close coordination with academic, administrative, project, and finance teams to ensure that the university has the right resources at the right time while maintaining quality, transparency, and value for money.Strategic Procurement and PlanningDesign and roll out procurement strategies that support both operational needs and capital spending goals.Lead annual purchasing plans and budget coordination with multiple departments.Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve processes, and create better value through sourcing decisions.Set up procurement policies, procedures, and working standards for smooth operations.Advance strategic sourcing efforts to improve efficiency and supplier performance.Vendor Management and SourcingSource, assess, and onboard suitable suppliers, contractors, and service partners.Develop strong, long-term relationships with key vendors and strategic partners.Review supplier performance through regular assessments and evaluations.Create vendor qualification and approval processes that support quality and reliability.Encourage competitive bidding and open, transparent buying practices.Contracts and Commercial OversightHandle negotiations on pricing, delivery terms, warranties, and service commitments.Review and approve purchase orders, agreements, and procurement contracts.Secure commercially sound terms while reducing operational and financial exposure.Partner with legal and finance teams to maintain contract compliance and manage risk.Procurement ExecutionManage end-to-end purchasing for goods, services, equipment, building materials, and other institutional requirements.Ensure timely sourcing to support academic, administrative, and project-related work.Track inventory levels and work with departments to avoid shortages or surplus stock.Improve procurement workflows and approval systems for better efficiency.Governance, Compliance, and RiskMaintain adherence to procurement rules, financial controls, legal requirements, and audit expectations.Build transparent purchasing processes and ethical sourcing practices.Monitor procurement activity to ensure alignment with internal and external regulations.Identify purchase-related risks and put mitigation plans in place.Support internal and external audits with accurate documentation and reporting.Project Procurement SupportWork closely with project, engineering, architectural, and facilities teams on project-related sourcing.Ensure timely procurement of construction materials, equipment, and specialized services for infrastructure work.Help keep project schedules on track by managing lead times and vendor commitments proactively.Contribute to project planning and budgeting discussions.Stakeholder CoordinationPartner with department heads to understand purchasing needs and priorities.Guide internal teams on procurement procedures and best practices.Maintain effective communication among suppliers, project teams, finance, and leadership.Resolve procurement concerns and escalations quickly and professionally.Reporting and Performance TrackingPrepare and present spend analysis, savings reports, procurement dashboards, and vendor performance updates to leadership.Track procurement KPIs and service standards.Study market trends, pricing shifts, and supply chain developments to support decisions.Suggest process improvements based on performance data and operational insights.Key Strengths NeededThe university is looking for a leader with strong procurement expertise, commercial judgment, supplier relationship management ability, contract handling skills, regulatory awareness, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities at once. Strong communication, leadership, analysis, and decision-making ability are essential, along with hands-on use of ERP platforms, procurement tools, and MS Office.Personal AttributesThe right candidate should be strategic, commercially minded, highly ethical, and committed to results. Attention to detail, a focus on quality and compliance, and the ability to influence people across all levels of the organization are important for success in this role.Working ConditionsThis is mainly an office-based position with frequent interaction across internal teams and external vendors. The role may include visits to supplier facilities, project sites, and vendor meetings when needed. Flexibility will be important to manage urgent procurement timelines, and occasional travel may be required for vendor development, negotiations, inspections, and strategic sourcing activities.