Associate Director, Procurement Operations

OVERVIEW:

The Associate Director of Procurement Operations is a strategic and detail-oriented leader responsible for optimizing procurement processes, leading secure and accurate vendor onboarding, and generating insightful vendor analytics and reporting. Precision and consistency are key in this role, as even the smallest oversights can impact compliance and operational integrity. Reporting to the Senior Director of Procurement, this role supports procurement strategy by recommending policy updates, enhancing operational systems, and aligning procurement practices with organizational needs. The Associate Director will collaborate extensively with internal teams and external vendors to ensure compliant, efficient, and scalable procurement operations.

This is a hybrid role tied to our New York office with occasional in person requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Vendor Onboarding and Management

• Lead the end-to-end vendor onboarding process, ensuring the careful collection and validation of documentation (e.g., W-9/W-8, EIN/Tax IDs, banking information, and compliance forms).
• Ensure vendor data is securely collected, verified against compliance lists (e.g., OFAC, Death Master File), and accurately entered into the financial system
• Maintain a clean, compliant, and duplication-free vendor master file to support seamless procurement and financial processes.

• Serve as a key point of contact for vendors, providing timely and accurate support throughout onboarding and maintenance.

Vendor Analytics and Reporting

• Develop and deliver procurement performance reports, vendor scorecards, and compliance dashboards to support decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Use data-driven insights to identify trends, mitigate risks, and highlight opportunities for savings and/or process enhancements.
• Collaborate internally to align reporting outputs with enterprise-wide performance metrics.

Procurement Operations

• Support the Senior Director of Procurement in reviewing and optimizing procurement platforms and workflows, ensuring every process aligns with operational standards and regulatory requirements.
• Recommend updates to procurement policies and procedures based on careful analysis of operational trends, stakeholder feedback, and industry best practices.
• Maintain procurement tools, ensuring data accuracy, platform usability, and process efficiency through close attention to system configuration and workflow details to ensure ease of use, data integrity, and operational alignment.
• Monitor adherence to procurement processes and proactively flag discrepancies or areas needing refinement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Strategic Alignment

• Build strong, detail-oriented partnerships with internal departments to ensure procurement activities meet organizational requirements.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders, helping them navigate procurement systems, vendor onboarding, and other requirements.
• Collaborate closely with the Senior Director of Procurement to support strategic planning, vendor relationship management, and procurement optimization efforts.
• Performs other duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of experience in procurement operations, vendor management, or sourcing, preferably in a cross-functional or mission-driven environment.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify patterns, anomalies, and trends in procurement and vendor data.
• Proficient in financial platforms (e.g., NetSuite, Concur) with an understanding of vendor lifecycle management.
• Strong analytical skills and high attention to detail when interpreting procurement data and preparing reports.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion, care, and integrity.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams.
• Experience recommending process or policy enhancements based on best practices and operational feedback.
• A passion for working with young adults and an unshakable belief in their potential.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion with an understanding of the Opportunity Divide and its drivers.
• We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including those without a four-year degree and those with non-traditional career paths, to apply.
• Year Up United supports Second Chance Hiring and welcomes applications from individuals with past convictions who have demonstrated personal growth and are ready to contribute positively.

New York Sal