Director of Procurement

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title : Director of Procurement

Department : Finance

Location : Oakland, CA, Washington DC, or remote. This position requires an ability to travel.

Reports To : Senior Director Finance Operations

Supervises : N / A

Context :   At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope : The Director of Procurement is a key member of the Finance team at the Sierra Club. Under the direct supervision of the Senior Director of Finance Operations, this role is responsible for establishing and leading a comprehensive and sustainable procurement function, including strategic sourcing and supplier management. This senior leadership position will build new procurement capabilities and infrastructure, with immediate priorities focused on developing comprehensive procurement guidance and modernizing the procure-to-pay process. In addition to working with the Finance team, this role will need to work closely with the Office of General Counsel and the Sierra Club Technology teams to ensure alignment in cross-functional initiatives.

This role will interface with a number of critical stakeholders across the organization - national departments, chapters, volunteers - using input and feedback from various perspectives to drive a coherent procurement philosophy that can be tailored to multiple audiences. While it is imperative that the Club have clear policies and guidelines, it is incumbent on this role to desire to understand the complexities of the organization to inform policies that will work in practice, not just in theory.

The role ensures cost-effective and timely acquisition of quality goods and services while driving value through strategic sourcing, innovation, and risk management. This position requires balancing operational excellence with the Club's commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical business practices, while leading critical technology implementation and process improvement initiatives.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies :

• Education
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Public Administration, or related field required (or equivalent professional experience)
• MBA, MPA, or Masters in other related or relevant field a plus
• Professional procurement certifications (e.g., CPSM, CPPO, CIPS) strongly preferred
• Experience
• Minimum 10 years of progressive procurement and supply chain management experience, with at least 5 years in senior leadership roles
• Experience building procurement functions from the ground up or leading significant procurement transformations
• Proven track record in strategic sourcing, category management, and supplier relationship management
• Experience in non-profit, mission-driven, or multi-location organizational environments preferred
• Background in sustainable / responsible sourcing practices highly valued
• Core Competencies
• Project Management : Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional technology implementation projects with multiple stakeholders
• ERP / NetSuite Experience : Strong familiarity with NetSuite or similar ERP systems, particularly procurement and financial modules
• Procurement Technology : Proficiency with procurement platforms, P2P systems, and spend analysis tools; experience evaluating and implementing procurement software solutions
• Process Improvement : Demonstrated expertise in business process analysis, design, and optimization
• Financial Systems Integration : Understanding of financial system integrations and procure-to-pay workflows
• Strategic Sourcing Expertise : Deep knowledge of strategic sourcing methodologies, market analysis, and category management principles
• Financial Acumen : Strong analytical skills, financial modeling capabilities, and understanding of total cost of ownership concepts
• Negotiation Skills : Proven ability to negotiate complex contracts and manage supplier relationships
• Communication & Training Excellence : Exceptional ability to translate complex procurement concepts into clear, actionable guidance for diverse audiences; proven experience developing and delivering training programs
• Presentation Skills : Strong public speaking and presentation abilities for senior leadership, staff, and chapter audiences
• Change Management : Experience leading organizational transformation and process improvement initiatives with strong focus on stakeholder buy-in and adoption
• Stakeholder Management : Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across diverse audiences
• Personal Attributes
• Commitment to Sierra Club's environmental mission and values
• Strong ethical standards and integrity in all business dealings
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, mission-driven environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to adapt messaging for different organizational levels and technical backgrounds
• Strong facilitation and training delivery skills for both in-person and virtual environments
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse teams and communities
• Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
• Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies :

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $165,000 - $175,000 annually.

The Sierra Club offers a competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan.

This is a category 3, exempt, non-represented, confidential position.

Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club People Department in consultation with the employee’s manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition. The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce belonging.

To Apply

The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS / HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.