Ed Mills, the chief procurement officer at the University of Colorado (CU), manages a range of responsibilities including purchasing, contracting, strategic sourcing, travel, expenses, data analytics and technology for the university. Mills describes his role as similar to operating several small cities, ensuring that each campus and system administration receives the necessary supplies and services to function effectively.
“My team makes sure those things are there, on time and at scale, in support of each one’s mission,” Mills said.
Each year, more than $1 billion passes through CU’s Procurement Service Center (PSC), involving thousands of contracts and purchase orders. Mills emphasizes that every dollar spent is connected to CU’s core mission. “Every one of those dollars is tied to CU’s mission of world-class education, research and health care,” he said. “That’s what makes the work meaningful and every transaction important.”
Reflecting on his approach as chief procurement officer, Mills noted that early experiences shaped his leadership style. “Early in my career, I was a procurement customer, and I remember sitting in meetings thinking, ‘Why is the answer always no?’ That experience taught me that good procurement is about listening, adapting and still finding a way to deliver, and it shaped how I operate today.” He encourages his team to be problem solvers rather than gatekeepers.
Mills highlighted a recent achievement where CU Boulder Athletics finalized a 10-year agreement with Pepsi that eliminates single-use plastics. He said this partnership demonstrates how collaboration can lead to innovative solutions: “The result was a better deal for CU, a first-of-its-kind sustainability win for Athletics, and a blueprint for others to follow.”
When asked about how PSC helps departments maximize value from their expenditures, Mills explained that value varies depending on departmental needs—whether it is speed in contract signing or cost savings. He cited an example where moving Amazon spending into the CU Marketplace improved convenience while also offering better pricing controls.
Regarding efforts to do business with Colorado companies, Mills pointed out CU’s Impact Spending program which aims to direct university spending toward local businesses. The program includes outreach initiatives and mentor-protégé programs designed to strengthen communities across Colorado.
Mills also discussed ongoing projects within procurement aimed at upgrading systems for greater efficiency. A major overhaul of the requisition process has already been implemented. Looking ahead, he sees artificial intelligence as an opportunity for further improvement: “We are AI Ready now and are moving toward being AI Forward… One with growing momentum is AI-enabled contracting.”
Finally, Mills emphasized the dedication of his team: “What I’d love the CU community to know is that there’s a team of dedicated professionals working hard every day to keep the wheels turning. And they deeply care about your mission.”
For more information about CU’s Procurement Services Center visit https://www.cu.edu/psc.
