UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
CPO David Cho on transforming the University of Massachusetts ’ procurement functions , and the ‘ better , faster , cheaper ’ philosophy to deliver value
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Year Founded
24,163 Employees including students
18,615 Employees excluding students
$ 3.4bn Revenue
The University of Massachusetts is a world-class public research university committed to advancing knowledge and transforming lives . Through its world-class educational programmes , groundbreaking research enterprise , and its impactful community service and industry engagement activities , UMass harnesses the revolutionary spirit of Massachusetts to deliver an unparalleled student experience .
With four comprehensive campuses , a top-ranked medical school and a missiondriven law school , each campus offers a dynamic educational experience in a uniquely Massachusetts location , from the coastal town of Dartmouth to the international hub of Boston , from the vibrant mill cities of Lowell and Worcester to the bucolic hills of Amherst . Though separated geographically , the campuses are unified through a central goal of preparing students to contribute to their communities , thrive in a new economy and change the world by providing a broad range of rigorous academic programs and opportunities .
However , not everything shared this central spirit . Until 18 months ago , the university ’ s procurement function was fragmented , with each campus responsible for its own procurement , accounts payable , sourcing , and contract management activities . That began changing in fall 2019 , when David Cho , who was the CPO of BlackRock , was recruited through a national search to join UMass as the first-ever system-wide Chief Procurement Officer . Hiring a CPO followed the recommendation
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