Head of Strategic Procurement

About Emeritus and Daskalos :

Emeritus is redefining global education by making high-quality learning accessible and affordable for individuals, companies, and governments. Through partnerships with over 80 world-class universities, Emeritus delivers industry-relevant programs across formats—including short courses, degrees, and executive programs—to more than 300,000 learners across 80+ countries.

Daskalos, a strategic initiative of Emeritus, pioneers transnational education in India by helping leading global universities establish joint campuses under the evolving Indian regulatory framework. With over 15 institutions in advanced discussions, Daskalos is shaping the next chapter in global higher education.

About the Role :

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Procurement Lead to spearhead and optimize sourcing strategies across a diverse range of indirect categories such as IT, HR, Marketing, Facilities, Travel, Office Supplies, infrastructure and Professional Services. This role involves managing a significant annual spend, driving cost-saving initiatives, improving supplier performance, and spearheading digital transformation in procurement operations. You will initially be joining the founding team of a new business and work cross-functionally to set procurement strategy and process for a new business and ensure compliance, risk mitigation, and value delivery across this business. The ideal candidate will bring a strong understanding of large-scale procurement frameworks in brick-and-mortar set ups such as education institutions, healthcare etc. and a commitment to supporting academic and administrative excellence through cost-effective procurement strategies.

Key Responsibilities :

• Execute sourcing strategies for various indirect spend categories especially infrastructure, facilities, travel, etc.
• Develop and implement category strategies, procurement policies and processes, and best-in-class sourcing practices to drive operational and cost efficiencies.
• Manage an annual procurement budget, ensuring effective cost controls and budget adherence.
• Implement supplier performance management programs to monitor compliance, reduce lead times, and improve service levels.
• Lead contract negotiations with key suppliers, achieving savings, improved terms, and enhanced service delivery.
• Spearhead e-procurement and digital transformation initiatives to improve spend visibility and shorten purchase cycles.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to assess procurement needs and risks, ensuring supply chain continuity and responsiveness.
• Implement and monitor supplier diversity / consolidation programs, increasing engagement with diverse vendors.
• Provide mentorship and training to junior team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and capability building.
• Establish centralized procurement practices and compliance mechanisms to reduce adhoc spend and improve governance.

Qualification and Experience :

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s preferred).

8 / 10+ years of experience in procurement, with significant exposure to multiple categories.

Proven success in cost reduction, supplier management, and contract negotiations.

Experience in setting up a robust procurement function from scratch and leading procurement teams and managing large budgets.

Strong analytical and market research skills, with the ability to drive data-driven decision making.

Expertise in implementing digital procurement tools and systems.

Exceptional stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Knowledge of procurement compliance, supplier diversity, and centralized purchasing policies.

Strong leadership, mentoring, and communication capabilities.

Familiarity with procurement regulations and best practices relevant to educational institutions (e.G., UGC, NAAC, State / Central audit guidelines).

Experience in working in a “start-up” environment

Preferred Certifications :

Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)

Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM)

Six Sigma / Lean Certification (a plus)

Daskalos provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.