Senior Purchasing Agent

MSU Careers Details•East Lansing, MI

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Michigan State University Procurement is seeking a remote-friendly Senior Purchasing Agent. Procurement supports the university’s end-to-end supply chain and maintains positive stakeholder relationships. This position advances MSU’s teaching and research mission through strategic procurement of goods and services. It purchases high-risk or complex commodities requiring extensive expertise and negotiates and executes complex, large-dollar purchases. The role works with university stakeholders and subject matter experts to secure value, ensure policy and regulatory compliance, manage sourcing and supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, mitigate risk, and support procurement projects and process improvements. The position also provides expertise and mentorship to procurement colleagues and contributes to policy and procedure development. The position is remote-friendly within Michigan, with regular on-campus presence. Remote and in-office work are arranged with the supervisor. Standard work hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to a four-year college degree in Business Administration, with relevant coursework in marketing, business law, finance, public relations, and computer science, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Five to eight years of related, progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in sales, purchasing/buying, and accounting.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated procurement negotiation and contract-management skills, including ethical and regulatory-based decision-making in high-pressure situations.
Effective interpersonal skills for facilitating and resolving situations involving differing objectives.
An advanced degree in supply chain management, business, a STEM field, or law.
Demonstrated knowledge of supply chain compliance, risk management, and import/export regulations.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with university stakeholders and subject matter experts to obtain the best value on high-risk or complex commodities.
Ensure procurement activities comply with federal, state, and university policies, laws, and regulations.
Evaluate purchase requisitions for appropriateness, content, compliance, and clarity.
Manage procurement processes by writing, issuing, and soliciting requests for information, proposals, and quotations.
Assemble specifications for complex, unique, and large-scale purchases; determine suppliers to solicit; evaluate proposals; and prepare bid analyses.
Select appropriate procurement methods, such as strategic contracts, bid solicitations, or sole source, in accordance with department and university policies and procedures.
Communicate with faculty, staff, and suppliers to clarify requirements, meet supporting-document needs, and foster positive relationships.
Manage supplier relationships and assess supplier performance using measurement tools and decision-modeling practices.
Develop negotiation strategies and negotiate supplier contracts and agreements in partnership with MSU legal and risk management offices.
Assess suppliers and apply compliance-management and risk-mitigation measures, including collaborating on policy development.
Uphold stewardship, sustainability, diversity, equity, and inclusion in support of the MSU Strategic Plan.
Partner with Accounts Payable to resolve invoice discrepancies.
Cover other commodities and duties as needed to serve university stakeholders.
Provide superior customer service and professional written and verbal communication to internal and external partners.
Participate in or lead large, complex projects, including process-improvement initiatives.
Support the procurement team with expertise and experience, and serve as a resource and mentor to colleagues.
Draft policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.