Assistant Group Supervisor - Procurement

The Procurement Group is responsible for APL's commercial and non-commercial purchases, subcontracts, construction contracts, furniture procurements, real estate leasing, and Small Business Resource Office. Our vision is to be a trusted Lab partner and a center of excellence for procurement.

We are seeking an Assistant Group Supervisor (AGS) to partner with the Group Supervisor in leading a high-performing organization of 70+ procurement professionals. This role operates within a shared leadership model, where two AGSs collaborate closely, divide responsibilities, and provide seamless leadership coverage. Over time, responsibilities will rotate to build broad organizational insight and leadership depth.

As a Procurement Assistant Group Supervisor, you will serve as a strategic and operational leader responsible for:

Shared Leadership Model

• Partner closely with the Group Supervisor (GS) and fellow AGS to align priorities, strategy, and execution across the Procurement Group
• Share responsibility for group performance, staff engagement, and operational outcomes
• Provide full leadership coverage in the absence of the GS and/or other AGS
• Rotate leadership responsibilities over time to develop comprehensive understanding of all aspects of group operations

Organizational Leadership

• Partner with the Group Supervisor to shape and implement the strategic vision, structure, and priorities for the Procurement Group
• Establish and implement performance metrics and accountability frameworks that drive transparency, consistency, and continuous improvement
• Lead workforce planning efforts, including aligning staffing and organizational structure to meet evolving mission needs
• Collaborate across the Department and Laboratory to strengthen partnerships and maximize procurement's impact
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and respect for different perspectives

Staff Development & Performance Management

• Ensure Section Supervisors are effectively managing staff performance, development, and accountability
• Conduct skip-level engagements to maintain awareness of staff morale, challenges, and development needs
• Lead and support performance management actions, including coaching and progressive discipline when necessary
• Inspire and empower staff to achieve technical excellence, problem-solving capability, and continuous improvement
• Identify and develop high-potential staff and build leadership bench strength
• Ensure staff are provided meaningful opportunities for growth aligned with organizational needs

Operational & Technical Leadership

• Perform quality and technical reviews of complex procurements (e.g., >$500K) to ensure sound business judgment and compliance
• Provide expert guidance on contract strategy, negotiation, and interpretation of FAR/DFARS and other regulatory requirements
• Support staff in resolving complex contractual and business issues
• Analyze procurement data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, and establish key performance indicators to inform decision-making
• Drive procurement efficiency initiatives while maintaining strong compliance and risk management standards

Process Improvement & Innovation

• Lead efforts to modernize procurement processes through automation, digital tools, and responsible use of AI
• Identify opportunities to enhance existing tools and implement new capabilities that improve efficiency, compliance, and user experience
• Ensure staff are trained and equipped to effectively leverage systems and tools
• Promote a forward-leaning culture that embraces innovation and continuous improvement

Operational Execution

• Ensure the group has the resources, tools, and infrastructure required to meet mission needs
• Support development of scalable processes that enable growth and adaptability
• Help optimize workflows across sections to improve efficiency and responsiveness
• Assist in strengthening partnerships with internal customers to enhance procurement's value and mission impact

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a business-related field
• Have at least 10 years of experience in Federal Procurement, Contracting, and/or Subcontracting
• Have at least 5 years of experience leading and/or managing staff with demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion
• Demonstrate success in leading and managing teams in a complex environment
• Have demonstrated expertise in federal procurement regulations (FAR/DFARS) and their practical application
• Have experience managing or overseeing complex, high-value procurements
• Demonstrate the ability to think strategically and lead change while ensuring sustainable execution
• Have outstanding leadership attributes, including the ability to motivate, inspire, and hold staff accountable
• Demonstrate the ability to mentor, develop staff, and build strong relationships across organizational boundaries
• Have experience using data and metrics to drive operational and strategic decisions
• Possess excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, with a proven ability to operate effectively in a team environment
• Exhibit unquestionable integrity and sound judgment
• Are able to ultimately obtain a Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have 12+ years of professional experience, including significant procurement or contract management leadership experience
• Have demonstrated success leading at the group or section level, particularly within APL or similar environments
• Have experience leading organizational transformation, process improvement, or modernization initiatives
• Have experience implementing or leveraging procurement systems, analytics tools, or AI-enabled solutions
• Demonstrate strong strategic visioning capability and a track record of achieving measurable outcomes

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities athttp://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contactAccommodations@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.