Assistant Manager of Purchasing and Accounts Payable

Cambridge Public Schools; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridge Public Schools is seeking an Assistant Manager of Purchasing and Accounts Payable to lead daily operations within the Finance Department. The role supports contracting, requisitions, purchase orders, and vendor management while ensuring compliance with state and local policies.

The position requires strong analytical skills, experience with PeopleSoft or similar ERP systems, and the ability to develop staff.

Qualifications

• Progressive professional experience in purchasing, procurement, accounts payable, finance, business operations, or a related field.
• Knowledge of Massachusetts public procurement requirements (M.G.L. Chapter 30B) and related regulations.
• Experience supervising staff in a deadline-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with day-to-day management of Purchasing & Accounts Payable operations, prioritizing workflow and deadlines.
• Oversee preparation and processing of contracts, requisitions, purchase orders, and vendor documentation.
• Support accounts payable workflows, vendor inquiries, and payment exceptions.
• Supervise, train, onboard, and develop Purchasing & Accounts Payable staff.
• Provide guidance on procedures, systems, deadlines, and customer service expectations.
• Assist in planning, development, and delivery of purchasing and AP training for CPS administrators and staff.

Skills

Procurement

Accounts payable

Contracting

Vendor management

Public procurement

Leadership

Excel

SQL queries

Education

Bachelor's degree

MCPPO preferred

Tools

Oracle PeopleSoft

Excel

Job description

Assistant Manager of Purchasing and Accounts Payable

Cambridge Public Schools Purchasing/Accounts Payable - Cambridge, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Cambridge Public Schools

Job Details

Job ID: 5971783

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Oct 26, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Position : Assistant Manager of Purchasing and Accounts Payable

Finance Department

Overview of Cambridge Public Schools:

Cambridge Public Schools (CPS) serves approximately 7,000 students in grades JK–12 and employs more than 1,800 staff members across the district. The Purchasing & Accounts Payable Department, within the Office of Finance & Budget, supports schools and departments by facilitating timely and efficient purchasing, contracting, vendor management, and payment processes while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and City of Cambridge and CPS policies.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager of Purchasing & Accounts Payable, the Assistant Manager supports the day‑to‑day operations of the department and serves as a key resource to staff, schools, departments, vendors, and City partners. The position helps oversee purchasing and accounts payable workflows, supports and develops department staff, ensures timely completion of contracts, requisitions and purchase orders, supports compliance with public procurement requirements, and assists with the administration and continuous improvement of financial systems and business processes.

The Assistant Manager will also serve as a resource to the department in the Manager's absence and will help ensure continuity, accuracy, responsiveness, and strong customer service across Purchasing & Accounts Payable operations.

Key responsibilities

• Assist with the day-to-day management of Purchasing & Accounts Payable operations, including prioritizing workflow, monitoring deadlines, resolving escalated issues, and ensuring timely completion of departmental work.
• Oversee and support the preparation and processing of annual contracts, requisitions, purchase orders, vendor documentation, and related procurement transactions.
• Support accounts payable operations, including invoice and payment workflows, vendor inquiries, payment exceptions, documentation, and coordination with appropriate CPS and City departments.
• Assist with the supervision, training, onboarding, and ongoing development of Purchasing & Accounts Payable staff.
• Assign and monitor work as appropriate and provide guidance to staff regarding procedures, systems, deadlines, and customer service expectations.
• Support districtwide procurement activities and advise schools and departments regarding purchasing requirements, processes, timelines, contracts, and vendor-related matters.
• Assist with the planning, development, and delivery of purchasing and accounts payable training for CPS administrators and staff.
• Ensure departmental practices and transactions comply with applicable Massachusetts public procurement requirements, municipal finance requirements, and City of Cambridge and CPS policies and procedures.
• Maintain effective working relationships with City of Cambridge departments and other internal and external partners involved in procurement, contracting, auditing, finance, technology, and vendor services.
• Partner with the Manager of Purchasing & Accounts Payable to review, document, standardize, and continuously improve departmental policies, procedures, internal controls, workflows, and service delivery.
• Provide functional support for Oracle PeopleSoft and related financial systems, including troubleshooting user and workflow issues, supporting system upgrades and enhancements, creating and maintaining queries and reports, and coordinating with technical support personnel to identify and resolve system issues.
• Analyze purchasing and accounts payable data to identify trends, outstanding transactions, workflow issues, and opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and customer service.
• Maintain appropriate records and documentation to support internal controls, audits, regulatory compliance, and departmental reporting.
• Serve as a resource to department staff and district stakeholders in the absence of the Manager, as assigned.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to meet the evolving needs of the schools, district, and finance department.

Your Skill Set

• Progressive professional experience in purchasing, procurement, accounts payable, finance, business operations, or a related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of purchasing and accounts payable operations, including procurement, contracts, requisitions, purchase orders, vendor management, and payment processes.
• Knowledge of Massachusetts public procurement requirements, including M.G.L. Chapter 30B and other applicable state and municipal procurement requirements.
• Experience supervising, leading, training, or coordinating the work of staff in a deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, resolve operational issues, and maintain accuracy while working within competing deadlines.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency with Oracle PeopleSoft or comparable enterprise financial or ERP systems.
• Experience developing queries, reports, dashboards, or other tools used to analyze and monitor financial or operational activity.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and demonstrated ability to analyze and organize complex data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to provide responsive, professional service to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and internal controls consistently.
• Ability to identify opportunities for process improvement and support the implementation of new systems, procedures, and workflows.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, supply chain management, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) designation or related public procurement training preferred, or willingness to pursue applicable certification following appointment.

Salary: Commensurate with experience, with an estimated projected salary range of $86,395.65 - $97,204.44

At the Cambridge Public Schools, we are committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end, we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.

Position Type: Full-Time

Job Categories:

Administration > Business/Finance

Job Requirements

• At least 5 year(s) of relevant experience preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Tiara Smith-Matthews , Manager of Accounts Payable and Purchasing
• Financial Operations
• Email: [e-mail]