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 Salary Range: $88,000 - $95,000

#LI-Hybrid

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Year Up United has established salary ranges for each of our sites, which allows us to pay employees competitively, equitably and consistently in different geographic markets. For roles in which the location is listed as flexible, the range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Salary offers take into account a candidate’s skills, experience, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

• Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare options and dental coverage; 401(k) match for eligible participants.

• Vacation: Earn three weeks paid vacation in first year of employment; four weeks after initial year.

• Professional Development: Funds available to support staff in achieving career objectives ($2,500 per year)

** This is an exempt role (paid on a salaried basis). **

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

Year Up United is a national 501(c)3 workforce development organization committed to ensuring equitable access to economic opportunity, education, and justice for all young adults—no matter their background, income, or zip code. Employers face a growing need for talent while millions of talented young adults lack access to meaningful careers. These inequities only further perpetuate the opportunity gap that exists in our country—a gap that Year Up United is determined and positioned to close through three interconnected strategies: providing targeted skills training and connections to livable-wage employment for students and alumni; empowering others to serve and support young adults, and changing systems that perpetuate the opportunity gap. Year Up United’s intensive training program utilizes a high expectations, high support model where students learn in-demand technical and professional skills and apply them during a corporate internship. Year Up United has directly served more than 40,000 young adults since its founding in 2000. Year Up United's nationwide presence includes Arizona, Austin, Bay Area, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Greater Atlanta, Greater Boston, Greater Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, the National Capital Region, New York City/Jersey City, Pittsburgh, Puget Sound, Rhode Island, South Florida, Tampa Bay, and Wilmington.

Voted one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For in the country by The NonProfit Times, Year Up United is a rewarding and impactful place to work. Our staff is passionate, supportive, mission-driven, and committed to positive change and continuous learning. We set high standards for both ourselves and our students and live by a set of core values that reflect an unshakable belief in the talent and potential of our young people. The work we do is life-changing, and we know that our team is the greatest asset in achieving our mission.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:

Year Up United embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discharge, or discipline, are based on meritocracy. We do not permit 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 characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws. Learn more about our commitment to diversity: http://www.yearup.org/about-us/careers/commitment-to-diversity/

Year Up United is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Your recruiter can provide details regarding the expected work environment and any physical requirements. Please let our hiring team know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume through our website.

Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered. We respectfully request no phone calls.