Buyer - Sourcing Specialist
External posting
Full-Time, Exempt , Administrative/Professional
Pay Range: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00
JOB SUMMARY:
The primary focus of this position is to author and conduct complex competitive solicitation processes (RFPs, Bids, etc.). This position will also support and perform day-to-day Purchasing functions. This is an in-person role based at the SVSU main campus.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Serve as the department’s sourcing strategy expert and primary lead on RFP and competitive bidding activity. Demonstrate expertise with respect to all procurement concepts, tools, and techniques for obtaining best value for the University while maintaining compliance with policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
- Work in a consultative manner with internal and external University stakeholders to promote product research and guide the development of appropriate specifications to facilitate an effective competitive solicitation process for the procurement of goods and services.
- Determine internal customer expectations, author & distribute bids and request for proposals, accurately analyze & provide summary results of bids or proposals, make sound recommendations, and generate desirable outcomes that deliver optimum value for the University and meet or exceed the needs of the project stakeholders.
- Review, redline and negotiate University preferred contractual terms and conditions to align with University’s best interests and assure compliance with legal requirements.
- Analyze University utilization and consumption patterns to identify opportunities to consolidate and leverage campus buying power. Work in cooperation with University stakeholders to standardize best practices and products for the purpose of selecting strategic partners that will yield savings, efficiencies, and enhanced product and service quality.
- Communicate with and advise the campus community regarding approved purchasing procedures and practices.
- Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of software procurement complexities, and guide members of the campus community through the software procurement and renewal processes.
- Develop proficiency with University procurement systems and accurately explain the use of these systems to University stakeholders.
- Support purchase requisition review, editing, and PO processing as needed.
- Maintain appropriate vendor relationships. Communicate with external partners to assure timely delivery of goods and services as well as rectify shipping errors, damages, and returns for credit.
- Assist with the training of University stakeholders regarding procurement best practices, purchasing policies & procedures, preferred contract terms and conditions, and procurement technology systems.
- Cross functional training on all procurement functions will be a requirement of this position.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Reports to Associate Director of Purchasing; may also receive supervision from higher levels of management.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in related field.
- Three to five years of work experience in a procurement, legal/para-legal or other field directly related to the essential duties & responsibilities specified.
- Detailed, accurate, and grammatically correct written & oral English language communication skills are an essential requirement of this position.
- Must be a customer focused, results oriented, critical thinker with mathematical and financial acumen.
- Demonstrated Microsoft Office Suite of products skills are required. Must have the ability to quickly adapt to use of procurement software systems and Enterprise Resource Planning Software systems.
- Must be a self-starter with demonstrated ability to work alone or as a part of a team and perform duties within scheduled time limits.
- Must exercise independent and appropriate judgment based on specific situations, within guidelines and defined authority limits.
- Demonstrated positive interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively and project a positive image.
- Experience and ability to positively interact with a diverse campus community
- Ability to perform the essential functions and requirements of the job with or without accommodation
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance or Supply Chain Management.
- Experience in higher education.
- Experience with Workday.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Duties are generally performed inside and not exposed to adverse conditions.
The above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job and shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.
Posted through: Open Until Filled
Applicants must apply online at jobs.svsu.edu.
About SVSU:
Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its roughly 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. For eight consecutive years, SVSU has been recognized as a “Great College to Work For” (2016-2023).
SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation.
SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students’ performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels.
More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in student housing that has been rated No. 1 among public universities in the U.S. (2018-2023). SVSU fields 19 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students. For more information, please visit our website, http://www.svsu.edu.
