Purchasing Lead

University of Wisconsin Madison • Madison, WI

1d • $58,000

About The Position

The UW-Madison Veterinary Hospital (UW Veterinary Care) is seeking a highly skilled Financial Specialist III to serve as a key financial and purchasing lead, providing expert oversight, guidance, and support for complex hospital financial and procurement activities. This role plays a critical leadership function within the purchasing team, ensuring compliance with campus and state purchasing policies while supporting the hospital’s operational and financial goals. The position is responsible for reviewing, approving, and advising on complex financial transactions; reconciling and monitoring funds; and maintaining accurate financial records. In addition, the specialist acts as a primary resource for purchasing policy interpretation, process improvement, and internal controls. As a lead, this role provides direction, mentorship, and training to team members, supports cross-training efforts, and promotes consistency and best practices across purchasing and financial operations. The incumbent serves as a liaison to hospital leadership, delivering financial insights, recommendations, and status updates to support informed decision-making.

Requirements

• Minimum of two (2) years of financial and purchasing experience within the UW System or the State of Wisconsin, including compliance with applicable policies and procedures
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to train, mentor, and provide guidance to colleagues
• Proven ability to effectively manage work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with competing priorities
• Experience using Workday financial systems, including transaction processing and related financial workflows

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated ability to independently and professionally resolve complex or escalated financial issues in a timely manner
• Experience interpreting and advising on campus, state, and/or federal purchasing policies, guidelines, and best practices
• Ability to navigate ambiguous or evolving situations collaboratively, balancing policy requirements with practical, customer-focused solutions

Responsibilities

• Drafts communications and reports and maintains organization of varied records to provide administrative support within a specified work unit (10%)
• Answers complex fiscal questions and provides information based on set materials and standards to various audiences (15%)
• Reviews transaction processing internal controls and recommends policies and procedures (10%)
• Serve as a unit liaison to leadership providing financial advice, recommendations, and financial status updates (10%)
• May train staff on financial processes and best practices (15%)
• Monitors financial transactions and fund balances and generates and reconciles complex reports and statements in accordance with established rules and regulations (15%)
• Reviews and approves complex transactions and assigns funding codes in accordance with established rules, regulations, and policies (15%)
• Reallocates expenses to appropriate funding strings (10%)

Benefits

• UW Veterinary Care offers competitive wages (including night and weekend differential, if applicable), outstanding employee benefits https:// hr.wisc.edu/benefits/new-employee-benefits-enrollment/benefits-for-employees-covered-by-the-wrs/
• ample paid time off https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/leave/paid-leave/
• financial support for continuing education and pursuing specialty certification
• referral bonuses
• an annual shoe allowance
• a yearly provision of hospital-branded clothing

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED