Athletics Equipment Associate

Purdue University; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Purdue University is seeking an entry-level Athletic Equipment Associate to lead the equipment management for the baseball program and assist with other sports in the Mackey Arena equipment room. The role includes developing annual equipment budgets around $500,000, researching vendors, and supervising student employees.

The position involves inventory control, apparel distribution, and coordination with game management staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• One year of experience in college/high school athletics environment preferred.
• Strong PC skills and familiarity with databases and spreadsheets.
• Knowledge of NCAA rules and equipment fabric/durability is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead equipment manager for Purdue baseball; assist with other sports as needed.
• Develop and monitor annual equipment budgets (~$500,000 total).
• Research vendors and sample products; make recommendations.
• Instruct and review work of student employees; oversee apparel distribution.
• Oversee inventory, distribution, and return of equipment; manage event staff apparel.

Skills

PC skills

NCAA rules

Interpersonal skills

Fabric knowledge

Protective equipment knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

ACS inventory system

Ariba purchasing system

Job description

City: West Lafayette

Job Description:

Job Summary

This is an entry level equipment position with a 3-year limited term.

The Athletic Equipment Associate will be the lead equipment manager for Purdue baseball. This position will also assist the current equipment staff with all other sports in the Mackey arena Equipment room as needed. This position will work with the Assistant and Associate Equipment Managers in developing and monitoring annual equipment budgets for individual sports (approximately $500,000 total). Research vendors, products, and requests sample products from specific vendors and make equipment/apparel recommendations. Instruct, and review the work of temporary and student employees. Leads the creation and planning of the department distribution and taxation process of all apparel. Oversee equipment inventory & distribution and supervise the return of yearly issued equipment. Oversee event staff apparel management.

What You'll Be Doing:

Equipment Inventory/Distribution

• Works on ACS inventory system, in conjunction with Assistant/Associate Equipment Managers, to create inventory records for each student-athlete and distributes appropriate gear to designated sport student-athletes.
• In conjunction with Assistant/Associate Equipment Manager size and fit individual athletes in uniforms and equipment based on uniqueness and needs of each sport.
• Issue necessary items by sport for daily practice. Ensure all safety regulations are maintained.
• Prepare game items for all contests for each specific player.
• Compiles end-of-season inventory on all athletic equipment and apparel used during the season (i.e. uniforms, accessories, equipment covers, additional apparel used for travel). For items not returned, the associate will direct the Athletic Business Office staff to charge the individual student-athlete for appropriate costs, using the University billing systems.
• Inventories and organizes all equipment to be reconditioned for the upcoming season. This includes, labeling each item, and adding to the computer database.
• As necessary, creates database for inventory of designated sport equipment.
• Receives all ordered items and cross checks packing lists with order form and distributes items as needed. Follows up paperwork with the Athletic Business Office to pay vendors in a timely fashion.

Purchasing/Fiscal Control

• Work with Assistant and Associate Equipment Managers in developing and monitoring annual equipment budgets for individual sports (approximately $500,000 total).
• Utilize Ariba purchasing system to process athletic equipment orders and track through the purchasing process.
• Discusses purchase needs with designated coaches. Meets with coach during budget process to determine game and sports equipment to be purchased during the budget cycle. Research vendors, products, and requests sample products from specific vendors. Rechecks inventory for sizes and quantities. After checking with various vendors, participates in a joint decision by coach/head equipment manager on which company to purchase equipment/uniforms from.
• Plans and researches the yearly Nike allotment for designated sport with the head equipment manager in accordance to the Purdue University contract. In conjunction with Assistant/Associate Equipment Manager based on the sport and equipment needs, determines or recommends how to best utilize the dollars allotted to fulfill the proposed budget request.

Supervision

• Instructs and reviews the work of regular and temporary student employees.
• Train student employees in daily tasks-including but not limited to-collecting and washing laundry, redistributing the laundered items into locker rooms, prepare uniforms and equipment for team travel, and supervise in maintenance of game uniforms

Event Staff Apparel Management

• Coordinate with game management staff on set-up of official event staff for all designated sport home games. Leads the creation and planning of the department distribution and taxation process of all apparel. Distributes and/or oversees distribution and collection of all apparel/gear prior to and after each contest. Review sport schedule with the Athletics Game Management Staff to ensure management of event staff apparel. Other related duties as assigned

About Us:

Purdue Athletics is built on unrivaled pride, unlimited potential, and a sense of shared purpose that unites staff, student-athletes, and the broader community. As part of Purdue’s 150-year legacy, Athletics exemplifies a culture of collaboration, continuous growth, and excellence, where every member is encouraged to strive for success while fostering a positive and supportive environment. Joining Purdue Athletics means joining a team committed to building a better world together—where professional aspirations thrive, innovation is celebrated, and a lasting impact is made on campus and beyond.

What We're Looking For:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree
• One year of experience working in a college or high school athletics department environment
• Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
• Previous experience at the collegiate level or directly related work experience preferred

Skills needed:

• Personal computer and related software skills, e.g., word process, spreadsheets, database, data query, Internet, etc., necessary
• Knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations preferred
• Strong interpersonal skill for developing working relationship with coaches, athletes, and sales representatives preferred
• Knowledge of athletic fabric, differences, durability, and care preferred
• Ability to maintain knowledge that is current on all protective equipment preferred

Who We Are:

Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.

Additional Information:

• Purdue’s benefits summary https://www.purdue.edu/hr/Benefits/
• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period

Career Stream

Compensation Information:

Professional 1

Pay Band O001

Job Code#20002019

Link to Purdue University's Compensation Guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university