Procurement Specialist II

University of Wisconsin Stout•Menomonie, WI

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic’s Purchasing and Materials Management department is hiring a full-time professional academic staff member to support campus procurement needs. The position acts as a liaison among UW-Stout Polytechnic, the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration, the Universities of Wisconsin, and suppliers. It requires interpreting and applying complex state and university administrative policies and procedures. The position is based on campus and performed 100% on-site, and reports directly to the Director of Purchasing and Materials Management. The role supports campus purchasing through requisition and purchase-order processing, assistance with the online e-procurement system, policy guidance, and development and management of solicitations. It also involves supplier research, contract and price negotiations, maintaining purchasing records, reporting on supplier and sourcing outcomes, and communicating procurement decisions to suppliers, stakeholders, and institutional leadership.

Requirements

Experience providing customer service or administrative support in a professional environment.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail.
Experience using office productivity software, such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Apple iWork, or similar, to create, enter, maintain, review, or analyze information.

Nice To Haves

Experience in purchasing, accounts payable, finance, accounting, business operations, office administration, or a related area.
Experience using financial, purchasing, enterprise, or other complex business software.
Experience interpreting or applying policies, procedures, contracts, regulations, or other established guidelines.
Experience processing or reviewing purchase orders, invoices, contracts, quotes, bids, or other business documents.
Experience working in higher education, government, the public sector, or another regulated environment.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of complex solicitations, using appropriate approaches to evaluate third-party sourcing options in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Establish and maintain bid and proposal records to comply with record-keeping requirements.
Answer questions and provide guidance on specific commodities and service areas based on established materials or standards.
Implement supplier reporting protocols to measure cost savings, reductions, avoidance, supplier management, and risk-mitigation programs and strategies.
Research suppliers, available products and services, and market conditions; identify supply options and make recommendations.
Serve as the primary point of contact for external stakeholders, maintain contracts, and negotiate purchase prices to achieve timely sourcing results.
Prepare and disseminate business cases, propose strategic sourcing, and develop programs for stakeholders and institutional leadership.
Draft, submit, and communicate procurement request outcomes to suppliers, stakeholders, and institutional leadership.
Process requisitions and purchase orders in accordance with policies and procedures.
Assist faculty and staff with an online e-procurement system, such as Jaggaer One Procurement or Workday.
Guide faculty and staff in interpreting procurement policies and procedures.
Develop and manage simplified bids, requests for bid (RFBs), and requests for proposal (RFPs) in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Review and negotiate terms and conditions of campus purchases with external suppliers.
Serve as the main point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.
Perform other duties as assigned.