Senior Buyer

Berklee College of Music•Boston, MA

11d•$95,000 - $112,000

About The Position

Procurement and Campus Business Services is seeking an experienced, analytical, and customer-focused Senior Buyer. Reporting to the Senior Director of Procurement and Campus Business Services, you will manage the end-to-end purchasing lifecycle for goods, equipment, and services across all administrative and academic departments. Operating as an internal strategic consultant and principal supplier liaison, you will balance regulatory compliance and cost efficiency to keep operations running seamlessly. At Berklee, your work directly supports the next generation of creative leaders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
8–10 or more years of progressive experience in purchasing, strategic sourcing, and contract administration.
Advanced proficiency with computer software.
Demonstrated analytical, project management, and contract negotiation skills.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.
A strong customer-service orientation, excellent interpersonal and communication habits, and absolute discretion when handling complex financial information.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience using the Workday Financial System is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Prepare detailed bid specifications, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Quotes (RFQs), and purchase orders.
Evaluate supplier bids to negotiate favorable pricing and contract terms.
Identify quality sources of supply, establish institution-wide commodity contracts, and maintain active vendor relationships to ensure high product and service standards.
Review college contracts to ensure clear terminology, minimize institutional liability, protect physical and financial resources, and monitor vendor compliance.
Expedite ordering and delivery processes.
Monitor transactions from PO initiation through goods receipt, invoice auditing, and vendor payment reconciliation.
Leverage automated procurement systems—specifically Workday Financials—and modern technology tools to streamline purchasing workflows and enhance departmental customer service.
Serve as a trusted consultant to campus stakeholders, assisting with item sourcing, dispute resolution, returns for credit, and training staff on procurement policies.