Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation · 1 day ago
Sourcing and Vendor Manager
Kansas City, MO
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expThe Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private, nonpartisan foundation dedicated to improving education and boosting entrepreneurship. The Sourcing and Vendor Manager will act as a strategic partner to support mission-driven work through effective sourcing practices and vendor management, ensuring alignment with the Foundation's values and operational needs.
EducationFinanceSocial Entrepreneurship
Responsibilities
Act as a trusted sourcing advisor to teams across the Foundation, helping them articulate needs, design procurement pathways, and identify vendors who can best support their work
Provide early consultation on projects requiring external expertise or services, ensuring teams receive guidance tailored to their goals
Support teams in developing scopes of work that set clear expectations for both staff and vendor partners
Develop sourcing strategies that reflect cross-departmental goals, timelines, and mission alignment
Conduct market research and engage vendor networks to support the diverse needs of Foundation teams
Partner with Managing Associates (business owners) to lead competitive procurement processes (RFPs, RFIs, RFQs) in ways that create clarity, reduce staff workload, and enable efficient vendor participation
Help internal teams interpret vendor proposals and weigh cost, quality, experience, and alignment
Facilitate evaluation teams drawn from relevant departments to lead vendor due diligence
Provide coaching on evaluation criteria, scoring practices, and responsible decision making
Ensure clear documentation so that Managing Associates feel supported and informed throughout the vendor selection process
Partner closely with Managing Associates and support teams to ensure contracts reflect shared goals and reduce administrative burden
Lead or support negotiations that prioritize mutual benefit, clarity, and long-term success
Ensure cross-functional alignment around deliverables, compliance expectations, and communication protocols
Partner with internal teams to onboard vendors effectively, ensuring clarity around roles, responsibilities, communication norms, and deliverables
Support teams in maintaining strong vendor relationships through regular check-ins and feedback loops
Help identify emerging challenges early and co-create solutions with vendor partners
Maintain a vendor knowledge base that provides helpful insights to internal stakeholders on past performance, partnership experience, and capacity
Ensure sourcing and vendor management practices meet Foundation stewardship, compliance, and audit requirements
Support teams in making informed decisions about risk when evaluating new or emerging vendors and develop risk mitigation strategies when possible
Continuously improve sourcing workflows in partnership with cross-functional staff
Develop templates, guides, tools, and training that make sourcing easier and more accessible across the Foundation
Facilitate feedback loops where staff can share experiences to strengthen future sourcing processes
Analyze sourcing data to identify patterns, opportunities, and areas where additional support may benefit Kauffman teams
Conduct business reviews and manage formal scorecard activities to evaluate vendor effectiveness
Deliver cost savings through strategic sourcing initiatives and negotiate favorable terms while optimizing vendor relationships
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's or Master's degree in business, supply chain, or related field preferred
At least five years of experience in sourcing, procurement, or vendor management
Highly motivated, capable of self-direction, and able to work collaboratively in a team
Exhibit a keen sense of responsibility and enjoy working with multiple demands, shifting priorities, and constant change
Strong analytical and evaluation skills with the ability to be objective and drive successful business outcomes
Familiar with legal/contractual documents, processes, negotiation, and influencing techniques
Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills; able to translate open-ended questions into clear analytical plans and independently produce high-quality analyses, reports, and presentations
Demonstrated proficiency with procurement and contract management technology
Demonstrated passion for advancing equitable and transformative solutions for the communities served by the Foundation, with clear alignment to the Kauffman Foundation's credo, racial equity, diversity, and inclusion commitments, and strong ethical judgment
Familiarity with and interest in the Foundation's substantive focus areas, such as regional economic development, entrepreneurship, and economic mobility
Proven ability to work effectively within and across diverse teams, and with stakeholders at all levels from a wide range of industries and backgrounds
Excellent communication skills, including strong interpersonal, written, and listening abilities; able to distill complex ideas into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines, with strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and understanding of project management tools and technology
Strong Excel skills (e.g., formulas, statistical analysis, PivotTables) and proficiency with standard productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, Box, Slack)
Preferred
Experience with Tableau or Power BI and Salesforce
Company
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Everything we do is grounded in the generosity and love for Kansas City that Mr. Kauffman infused into the heart of our mission.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
DeAngela Burns-Wallace
President
Recent News
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2025-10-24
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2025-10-23
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