Procurement Specialist (Central)

University of Southern California • Los Angeles, CA

7d

About The Position

The University of Southern California (USC) Procurement Services is seeking a strategic-minded and experienced Procurement Specialist (Central) to join its team. This position manages operational procurement processes and transactions, providing routine and non-routine services and activities. The Procurement Specialist (Central) is responsible for transactions of varying complexity (e.g., low, medium, high cost/risk), ensuring completion, accuracy, policy compliance, and utilization of best practices. Finally, this role ensures timely review and active communication with relevant stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
• Three years’ experience in procurement or related fields.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, able to present and translate complex data to varied audiences.
• Sound judgement, critical thinking and reading ability.
• Excellent problem solving, analytical, and research skills.
• Proficiency for analyzing supplier proposals and conducting basic cost analyses.
• Excellent collaboration, organizational/time-management skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively manage a high volume of transactions, projects and events simultaneously.
• Foundational understanding of procurement agreements and their applicability.
• Excellent networking, interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.
• Demonstrated track record of successful negotiations, delivered value, and production of desired results.
• Proficiency with key software, systems and tools.
• In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC's Unifying Values.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s Degree (Business or related field).
• Five years’ procurement experience in higher education.
• Advanced proficiency with relevant software, systems and tools (e.g., Workday, Oracle/SAP, Jaggaer).
• High level of industry expertise in specific commodities in a procurement capacity.
• Leadership and management skills.
• Proven track record of conducting successful negotiations, delivering procurement value, and producing desired results.

Responsibilities

• Reviews, manages, and approves various operational requests, transactions, and related activities (e.g., requisitions, purchase orders, supplier agreements).
• Works directly with suppliers on behalf of customers and departments.
• Reviews proposals, quotes, and agreements to identify opportunities to add value.
• Maintains industry currency (e.g., key suppliers, pricing, trends) and understanding of all relevant policies and procedures.
• Manages contract review and redlining processes.
• Drafts agreements using approved internal templates.
• Constructs statements of work and/or ensures adequate completion.
• Signs agreements within designated authority thresholds.
• Regularly challenges suppliers to negotiate pricing and business terms while utilizing market intelligence, category expertise, and benchmarks.
• Solicits competitive proposals when possible.
• Facilitates and manages various request-for-X events and processes.
• Ensures overall process integrity, fair and equitable competition, timeliness, and accountability for all participants.
• Prepares necessary documentation, scoring/ranking, analysis, and comparisons.
• Seeks new ways to improve/assist with processes and negotiations.
• Provides information and training/guidance on any of the above to others as necessary.
• Ensures appropriate documentation and audit trail.
• Effectively communicates and coordinates with all appropriate relevant stakeholders.
• Ensures compliance with and advises faculty/staff on all applicable requirements, regulations, policies, procedures and best practices.
• Builds relationships with stakeholders.
• Balances policy enforcement, education, and advising on processes with meeting timelines and organizational demands.
• Problem solves for non-standard requests as well as internal/external policy deviations.
• Performs due diligence and conducts research on previous purchase orders, agreements, and other available resources (e.g., for history, comparison, benchmarking) to determine best course of action.
• Maintains understanding of all agreement types, their uses, and with all relevant systems and tools.
• Works collaboratively to maximize opportunities, implement strategic initiatives, develop category strategies, problem solve, and manage supplier relationships and performance when applicable.
• Provides backup support to peers when necessary.
• Promotes an environment that fosters inclusive relationships and creates unbiased opportunities for contributions through ideas, words, and actions that uphold principles of the USC Code of Ethics.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Benefits

• As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make USC a great place to work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees