Job Title: Director of Purchasing

Department: Purchasing Office

Job ID: 10709

Job Posting Details

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) invites applications for the position of Director of Purchasing of the University.

The University

Founded in 1991, HKUST is an international research university dedicated to the advancement of science, engineering, business & management, and humanities & social science, and interdisciplinary education of the next generation of leaders for the world. With equal emphasis on undergraduate and postgraduate education as well as close collaboration with industry and business, HKUST is a leading university with significant international impact and strong local commitment. It has established a substantial presence in the global higher education sector and garnered considerable international recognition.

With the launching of the HKUST 3.0 Vision Plan and the HKUST Strategic Plan 2031, the University is embarking on an exciting journey and aspires to become a University of Talents; an International Leader in Education and Research; a Visionary of Innovation & Entrepreneurship; an Exemplar of Best-In-Class Sustainable & Quality Practices; and a Champion of Diversity, Inclusiveness, and Openness. The University is dedicated to achieving the next level of excellence with the ability to anticipate changes and respond with agility, while delivering transformative changes in teaching, learning, research, knowledge creation and transfer as well as contributing to economic and societal development.

The Purchasing Office is the central purchasing agent for the University responsible for the procurement of goods and services in the most cost-effective manner consistent with the teaching and research requirements, and procedural propriety.

The Role

Reporting to the Vice-President for Administration and Business, the Director of Purchasing is to provide direction and leadership for the centralized purchasing and procurement operations of the University. Key responsibilities include:

• Identifying, evaluating and recommending procurement strategies and initiatives;
• Formulating procurement policies, standards, procedures and implementation plans;
• Forecasting requirements and cost parameters to achieve overall University management and service delivery objectives;
• Conducting regular reviews of the University’s purchasing and tendering regulations and procedures and recommending modifications where appropriate for service improvements;
• Managing and supervising daily activities of the purchasing operations to ensure compliance with the established regulations and procedures;
• Liaising/collaborating with internal and external stakeholders including suppliers/brokers, HKUST(GZ), subsidiaries of HKUST, and other public governing bodies, etc.; and
• Serving on University-level committees.

The Candidate

Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in Procurement, Business Administration, Law or a related field, preferably a higher degree; be tech-savvy; and possess extensive experience at a senior level in purchasing and supply matters, including the management of a substantial purchasing portfolio.

Terms and Applications

The appointment will be on contract terms of 2 to 3 years, renewable subject to mutual agreement. Competitive remuneration and generous fringe benefits, including housing where appropriate, will be provided. A gratuity will be payable upon successful completion of contract.

Application Procedure

Interested applicants should complete an online application form through the HKUST Careers website (https://hkustcareers.ust.hk) and return it online, together with a full curriculum vitae and names and addresses of three referees, to the Human Resources Office on or before Monday, 26 May 2025. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Applicants will receive an acknowledgement by email upon successful submission. We thank applicants for their interest, but advise that only shortlisted candidates will be notified of the result of the application.

(Information provided by applicants will be used for recruitment and other employment-related purposes. Applicants should read the Personal Information Collection Statement before submission of application.)

HKUST is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to our

core values of inclusiveness, diversity, and respect.