Buyer Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• A minimum of 2+ years of purchasing experience in a complex organization, demonstrating a thorough understanding of procurement processes and best practices.
• Proven attention to detail and a highly organized work style, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in all procurement activities.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate procurement strategies and requirements clearly and persuasively.
• Experience with electronic purchasing systems and eProcurement platforms, with a preference for proficiency in Oracle Cloud Procurement and Contract Management.
• Strong technical skills, with proficiency in procurement software and eProcurement platforms, such as Oracle Cloud Procurement.
• Advanced analytical skills, with the ability to interpret procurement data, generate insights, and support strategic decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to manage orders funded by federal, state, or private grants, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and guidelines.
• Capability to challenge existing systems, processes, and people to facilitate optimal outcomes and drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to connect people, ideas, processes, and issues to foster innovative solutions and improvements.
• Openness to change, adaptability, and the ability to work effectively in a variety of situations, both independently and within teams.
• Experience in building and maintaining effective working relationships with a diverse range of individuals, understanding their needs and goals.
• Ability to foster creativity and experimentation, taking calculated risks, celebrating successes, and learning from failures.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) or other purchasing professional certification

Responsibilities

• Efficiently process, dispatch, and manage purchase orders for goods and services, ensuring compliance with contract terms and university policies.
• Maintain accurate supplier records, oversee the onboarding of new suppliers, and foster strong, collaborative relationships with existing suppliers.
• Draft and negotiate contracts for goods and services, providing expert support in supplier negotiations, requests for proposals, and contract deployment.
• Function as the primary liaison between university customers and suppliers, ensuring seamless procurement transaction support and effective communication of specifications and sourcing options.
• Support stakeholders and Category Managers in evaluating supplier performance, ensuring adherence to quality standards and contractual obligations.
• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities and process improvements to enhance procurement efficiency and value.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with university policies, industry regulations, and best practices, mitigating risks and maintaining high ethical standards.
• Promote sustainable procurement practices and ethical sourcing, ensuring that all purchasing decisions align with the university’s commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
• Utilize procurement software to analyze procurement data, generate reports, and support informed decision-making processes.
• Provide exceptional service to university faculty, staff, and students, continually seeking innovative ways to enhance service delivery and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Actively seek opportunities for process improvement and capability enhancement within the Procurement Services Team and the broader Finance group.
• Promote a culture of innovation within the procurement function, encouraging creativity and experimentation.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with procurement activities to ensure sustainable and resilient supply chains.