Jay Hauser

About Jay Hauser

As a senior director and tenured consultant supporting dynamic state and federal government client portfolios, Jay leverages his breadth of knowledge, defense expertise, and experience to best guide and advise major defense industry clients, ensuring successful and expeditious mission delivery. Jay exhibits exemplary written and verbal communication skills and demonstrates advanced proficiency in shaping and leading procurement, acquisition and requirements management, defense knowledge and advisory, vendor relationship management and relationship building, stakeholder management, business development and strategic growth initiatives, process engineering, and continuous improvement principles.A former U.S. Government branch chief and warranted contracting officer for the U.S. Department of Defense, Jay is a defense industry leader motivated by dynamic challenges that afford him opportunities to integrate innovative business solutions and sustainable process methodologies to move companies and organizations forward, faster.Jay excels at:Team Building, Relationship Building, Leadership and Mentoring, Program Delivery, Project Consulting, Project Management, Portfolio Management, Mission Delivery, People, Processes and Technology, Business Development, Strategic Growth, Process Improvement and Process Optimization, Risk Mitigation, Contract Negotiation, Operations Management, Government Consulting, Data Rights and Intellectual Property Rights, Proposal Preparation and Development, Proposal Analysis, Global Market Research, Global Supply Chain Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Customer Relationship Management, Supplier Relationship Management, Lean Principles and Continuous Improvement, Strategic Sourcing, Requirements Management, Advanced Industry Analysis

Experience

1. Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, Director of Ri Division of Purchases

   State of Rhode Island

   Dec 2024 — Present · Providence, RI, US

   Accomplished public sector executive with deep expertise in federal and state procurement governance, centralized procurement operations, and transformative change leadership Expertly navigate Rhode Island’s political and regulatory landscape, advising the Governor’s Office, legislature, and oversight bodies on procurement impacts of proposed legislation and executive prioritiesDirect all strategic and operational procurement functions, overseeing the procurement lifecycle for the Executive Branch and managing cross-agency contracting initiatives aligned with state and federal regulatory frameworksOversee the development of governance frameworks for technology-enabled procurement practices, ensuring ethical use, auditability, and public trustEvaluate and deploy modern procurement tools that enhance speed, efficiency, and service delivery Adept at modernizing outdated systems, implementing enterprise-wide reforms, and fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and innovation in public procurementSteward public resources with integrity and fiscal responsibility, managing multi-million dollar procurements while balancing operational needs, compliance mandates, and long-term value creationShape procurement policies and procedures that align with federal and state laws, while championing flexibility and responsiveness in government contractingLeverage extensive experience in federal procurement protocols, grant compliance, and intergovernmental relations to ensure Rhode Island meets stringent federal funding requirements and programmatic objectivesSpearhead statewide procurement modernization efforts through enterprise-wide change initiatives, including the rollout of digital procurement platforms, automation of manual processes, and data-informed decision-making frameworksManage sensitive transitions and organizational shifts through inclusive communication, executive alignment, and stakeholder engagement strategies

Education

• Bryant University

  Master of Business Administration (M.B.A)

• University of Rhode Island - College of Business

  B.S. Business Administration, Major concentration in Finance, Minor in Communication Studies

• Naval Postgraduate School

  Master of Science (M.S.), Systems Engineering and Program Management

• Bishop Hendricken High School

  Advanced College Preparatory

• University of Rhode Island - College of Business

  B.S. Supply Chain Management, Major concentrations in Six Sigma, Lean Principles, and Logistics