Bobby Clark
Director, IT Solutions & Vendor Management,
Clemson University
Procurement as Partnership: Aligning IT, Procurement, and Vendors for Smarter Purchasing
Friday, October 02, 2026 | 9:15AM–10:00AM MT
Session Type:
Breakout Session
Delivery Format:
Panel Session
Great procurement partnerships don’t happen by accident; they coalesce when IT leaders, procurement professionals, and vendor partners understand each other’s worlds. When these groups align around shared goals, institutions move faster, save money, and build vendor relationships that deliver lasting value. This session brings together a variety of perspectives (including a CIO, a chief procurement officer, a director of IT vendor management, and a vendor) to share how collaborative approaches to procurement produce better outcomes for everyone involved. Presenters will walk through how purchasing decisions get made, who is involved, which compliance requirements shape the process, and how each stakeholder can contribute to a smoother experience. Attendees will learn practical strategies for engaging procurement as a true partner, framing business cases that build momentum, and leveraging cooperative agreements to accelerate timelines. Vendor partners will learn how to prepare for productive institutional relationships, from HECVAT completion to accessibility documentation to internal sales team alignment. Whether you are an IT leader, procurement professional, or vendor partner, this session offers a shared vocabulary and actionable framework for building the kind of cross-role collaboration that makes procurement work for everyone.
