Bill Cooper assumed the newly created position of University of California (UC) AVP & Chief Procurement Officer in 2013. He advanced the vision of leveraging UC’s vast purchasing power by developing and implementing systemwide supply chain strategies and policies to optimize and maximize University spend.
This meant unifying 10 decentralized campus procurement organizations into a combined purchasing powerhouse through systemwide strategic sourcing, investment in expertise and technology, and emphasizing strong supplier partnerships to source the highest quality goods and services at the best value.
I am tremendously grateful for the procurement organization that Bill has created and the impact it has brought to our UC campuses. He implemented a strong vision from the ground up.
Nathan Brostrom, UC Executive Vice President and CFO
The goal was for UC Procurement to be regarded as a high performing strategic partner essential to the financial health of the University. And the purpose was always "to expand opportunities for teaching, research and public service." Anyone who worked for Bill heard those words repeatedly and spoken with the utmost sincerity.
Bill’s creativity, persistence and commitment has built an innovative organization that has already achieved significant outcomes for the University, along with international recognition. He has been a champion for small businesses and sustainable procurement practices. Under his leadership, UC Procurement launched an initiative to transform operations from traditional procurement models to innovative supply chain structures, while targeting an annual benefit of $500 million to support the University’s mission of teaching, research and public service – that's what we're talking about...
Bill’s career in supply chain management spans over 50 years. In addition to being known for his vision, his transformational leadership, and his ability to deliver exceptional results, he is known for his undying love of the Chicago Cubs.
Prior to joining UC, Bill served as Stanford University’s first Chief Procurement Officer, unifying purchasing and payables functions into a strategic Procure-to-Pay (P2P) procurement organization. Additional experience includes his tenure as AVP & CPO at the University of Missouri System, procurement leadership positions at CalTech, CSU Northridge and other higher education institutions, as well as positions in private industry and the federal government.
A comprehensive search for Bill’s replacement will commence shortly but he won’t ever be replaced, because 'one-of-a-kind' is just that. We’ll miss you, Bill!