Procurement Director Jobs in California
Procurement Director jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in defense contracting, technology, healthcare systems, and large-scale manufacturing across a market that draws serious competition at every level from senior managers stepping up to seasoned executives. The heaviest hiring clusters around Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego, where employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Northrop Grumman, and Chevron maintain large procurement operations. The most in-demand specialties are strategic sourcing, supplier diversity, and capital procurement for infrastructure and technology. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Procurement Director JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 19+ Procurement Director jobs
To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.
Responsibilities:
Provides counsel to UCI executive management, division senior leaders, Office of General Counsel, and other UC Office of the President executives as requested on various matters. Oversees personnel matters including recruitment, evaluation, training, mentoring, development, and discipline of staff. Manages the budget in order to maximize resources and remain fiscally solvent in uncertain budgetary times. Creates a respectful environment that embraces the University's principles of community.
- Thorough knowledge of the purchasing function with broad understanding of purchasing objectives and initiatives.
- Skills associated with directing a purchasing function ensuring adherence to purchasing practices and guidelines.
- Demonstrated strong and effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Management skills required to lead department, including management of staff performance and development, team building and communications, resolution of issues and conflicts, review and approval of work, and hiring and training employees. Develop long term strategies
- Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills required in interacting with both internal and external resources.
- Ability to negotiate with vendors and gain cooperation of others.
- Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
- 10+ yearsin a related field
Preferred:
- Professional certification preferred.
Total Rewards
Conditions of Employment:
- Background Check and Live Scan
- Employment Misconduct*
- Legal Right to work in the United States
- Vaccination Policies
- Smoking and Tobacco Policy
- Drug Free Environment
- Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
- California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
- E-Verify
- Pre-Placement Health Evaluation
Closing Statement:
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.
To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.
Responsibilities:
Provides counsel to UCI executive management, division senior leaders, Office of General Counsel, and other UC Office of the President executives as requested on various matters. Oversees personnel matters including recruitment, evaluation, training, mentoring, development, and discipline of staff. Manages the budget in order to maximize resources and remain fiscally solvent in uncertain budgetary times. Creates a respectful environment that embraces the University's principles of community.
- Thorough knowledge of the purchasing function with broad understanding of purchasing objectives and initiatives.
- Skills associated with directing a purchasing function ensuring adherence to purchasing practices and guidelines.
- Demonstrated strong and effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Management skills required to lead department, including management of staff performance and development, team building and communications, resolution of issues and conflicts, review and approval of work, and hiring and training employees. Develop long term strategies
- Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills required in interacting with both internal and external resources.
- Ability to negotiate with vendors and gain cooperation of others.
- Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
- 10+ yearsin a related field
Preferred:
- Professional certification preferred.
Total Rewards
Conditions of Employment:
- Background Check and Live Scan
- Employment Misconduct*
- Legal Right to work in the United States
- Vaccination Policies
- Smoking and Tobacco Policy
- Drug Free Environment
- Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
- California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
- E-Verify
- Pre-Placement Health Evaluation
Closing Statement:
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.
See All 19 Procurement Director Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Procurement Director JobsProcurement Director Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Procurement Director Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in procurement director jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, or a related field required
- CPSM or CSCP certification strongly preferred by California employers
- Seven or more years of progressive procurement or strategic sourcing experience
- Demonstrated experience managing supplier contracts in regulated California industries such as defense or healthcare
- Proficiency with enterprise procurement platforms such as SAP Ariba or Oracle Procurement Cloud
- Strong knowledge of California public contracting regulations for candidates pursuing public sector roles
Procurement Director Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a procurement director in California?
Becoming a procurement director in California typically requires a bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, or a related field, followed by progressive experience in purchasing or strategic sourcing. California has no state-issued license for private-sector procurement directors, but professional credentials such as the Certified Professional in Supply Management or Certified Supply Chain Professional carry significant weight with California employers. Public agency roles may require compliance with the California Public Contract Code and familiarity with state procurement rules.
How much do procurement directors make in California?
Procurement directors in California earn a median of about $159,830 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $99,560 for the lowest 10% to over $241,340 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire procurement directors in California?
Employers hiring procurement directors in California right now include Gilead Sciences, CBRE, and Strava, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's mix of defense contractors, major health systems, and technology headquarters makes it one of the most diverse procurement hiring markets in the country.
Which California cities have the most procurement director jobs?
San Diego, Foster City, and Carson have the most procurement director openings in California. Los Angeles leads because of its concentration of defense primes, entertainment conglomerates, and port-adjacent logistics operations, while the Bay Area's technology headquarters and San Diego's biotech and military contractor base drive consistent demand in those markets.
Are there remote procurement director jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many comparable senior roles. About 86% of procurement director openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how much of the work centers on vendor negotiations, contract analysis, and cross-functional coordination that can be handled off-site. Strategic sourcing and category management functions are the most commonly offered as fully remote arrangements.
How can I get hired as a procurement director in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a purchasing analyst or sourcing specialist role at a large California employer and building toward director-level responsibility over time. Major California health systems such as Kaiser Permanente and defense primes such as Northrop Grumman recruit procurement coordinators and contract administrators as development roles. Earning a CPSM certification early accelerates advancement. Candidates with backgrounds in finance, operations, or project management at California technology or manufacturing companies also make strong lateral moves into procurement without a traditional supply chain starting point.
Where can I find and apply to procurement director jobs in California?
You can find and apply to procurement director jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly to each one.
See All 19 Procurement Director Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Procurement Director Jobs