We Are:

Fermilab is America's premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and at locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole.

We are strategic risk takers, innovators, and collaborators. We are engineers, scientists, technicians, administrative professionals. We are over 2,000 employees advancing knowledge for the benefit of humankind. Fermilab has been at the forefront of particle physics for more than 40 years. We build world-leading accelerators and detectors to conduct some of the most advanced particle physics experiments possible. We collect and analyze the data from those experiments with some of the most powerful computers in the world. We conduct this research on a 6,800-acre prairie, 35 miles outside Chicago, a treasure that has been designated a National Environmental Research Park.

Fermilab's Office of Finance is seeking a Chief Procurement Officer. This position will report to the Chief Financial Officer and provide strategic direction and leadership to establish consistent application of federal and commercial acquisition practices in accordance with established Fermilab procurement policies and procedures, contract law, commercial practice, and applicable federal procurement regulations.

Develop and direct department goals and objectives that support both long and short-term Lab objectives and meet Department of Energy (DOE) Performance Evaluation Management Plan goals. Build highly effective and engaging relationships internally and externally specifically with DOE. Develop capabilities of the procurement staff provided goods, services, and construction procurement expertise and ensure strong leadership of the individual work units within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Establish consistent application of prime contract requirements using best in class federal, industry and academia acquisition practices lab wide to assure quality of procurement packages and compliance with prescribed practices.
• Develop overall strategies for acquisition, formulating operating plans, performance metrics across the organization and long-range planning for execution to support the needs to the lab.
• Develop and direct department goals and objectives that support both long and short-term Lab objectives and meets DOE Performance Evaluation Management Plan goals.
• Head specific projects or programs as assigned or need identified; represents the laboratory on various procurement matters, e.g. committees, work groups, external committees, etc.
• Build highly effective and engaging relationships internally and externally to include with DOE to assure expectations and performance measures are aligned.
• Engage key stakeholders by executing a consistent strategic communication plan early in the process.
• Launch capabilities of the procurement staff and ensure strong leadership within the organization.
• Generate programs and training that provide internal Laboratory customers with strategic options around the acquisition lifecycle and employs best practices and tools.
• Identify and exploit strategic sourcing opportunities across the lab, the complex and with member organizations to include vendor partnerships.
• Manage all human resources actions for the assigned area including hiring, training, promotions, performance and merit reviews, disciplinary actions, and terminations, as may be appropriate.
• Interact with and advise Laboratory management on matters to ensure that policies and actions conform to related goals of the Laboratory, the prime contract and DOE Orders.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Abides by and is responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position.

Minimum required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree with a Discipline in Business, Finance, or Economics and a minimum of 10+ years of experience or equivalent; Master's Degree preferred. 5+ years of management experience in business and/or financial operations.
• Preferred, but not required: Professional certifications, such as Certified Procurement Manager (CPM), Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM), Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM)

Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficiency with procurement in a Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) based environment is preferred.
• Proven ability to manage a large complex portfolio and driver of significant organizational change.
• Ability to draw on experience contributions to gain the confidence of Federal agencies. Proven ability to drive and measure performance through metrics.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with Accounts Payable to ensure efficiency from procurement to payment. Senior level management experience and effective communication skills.

Fermilab is an Equal Opportunity Employer and believes a diverse and inclusive environment based on mutual respect is essential to our mission. Fermilab is committed to recruiting and developing the most hardworking people and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, country of birth, geography/postal code, disability, marital status, parental or gestational status, or other non-merit factor.

REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus
Fermilab and FRA requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview.