Buyer

University of Maryland; College Park (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Maryland’s Procurement & Business Services department is seeking a proactive Buyer to provide professional procurement services for UMD College Park and other USM institutions. Under supervision, the Buyer manages routine and moderately complex procurements from requirements development through award, contract, and PO administration.

Responsibilities include requisitions, POs, solicitations, bid packages, and supplier evaluations; conducting market research; negotiations; and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Three (3) years of experience as a buyer performing work involving development of vendor source and the procurement of a variety of supplies, materials, equipment and services.
• Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.

Responsibilities

• Review and process requisitions; prepare and review purchase orders, contracts, solicitations, bid packages, and related documentation.
• Conduct competitive solicitations; evaluate supplier proposals; make award recommendations; negotiate and administer contracts and purchase orders.
• Process change orders, expedite orders, support invoice-related issues, and complete sole source actions within delegated authority.
• Advise departments on procurement processes and ensure compliance with policies, procedures, laws, and audit requirements.

Skills

Market value knowledge

Competitive bid purchasing principles

Interpretation of specifications

Relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Job Description Summary

The University of Maryland's (UMD) Procurement & Business Services department is seeking a proactive problem solver to join its team of procurement professionals. The Buyer is an early-career procurement position responsible for providing professional procurement services for the University of Maryland College Park and, as needed, other institutions within the University System of Maryland (USM). Under general supervision, the Buyer manages routine and moderately complex procurements within assigned categories and level-of-signature authority, from requirements development and solicitation through award, contract and purchase order administration, and post-award support.

Position Overview and Key Responsibilities:

The Buyer works collaboratively with campus departments, procurement colleagues, and suppliers to clarify requirements, develop specifications, conduct market research and sourcing activities, and identify qualified suppliers. Responsibilities include reviewing and processing requisitions; preparing and reviewing purchase orders, contracts, solicitations, bid packages, and related documentation; conducting competitive solicitations; evaluating supplier proposals; making award recommendations; and negotiating and administering contracts and purchase orders using University-approved terms and conditions. The Buyer also processes change orders, expedites orders, supports invoice-related issues, and completes sole source actions within delegated authority.

The Buyer ensures procurement activities comply with University and USM policies, procedures, applicable laws and regulations, and audit requirements. The position advises departments on procurement processes and single and sole source justifications, maintains required documentation, and routes actions exceeding delegated authority for approval. The Buyer also supports supplier diversity by encouraging participation from minority- and women-owned businesses and small business enterprises through outreach, tracking, and documentation.

About the Department of Procurement & Business Services at the University of Maryland:

In support of the University of Maryland's (UMD) mission of excellence in education, research, outreach and collaborative partnership with the greater community, the Department of Procurement & Business Services is a diverse professional team strongly committed to our customers.

The Department of Procurement & Business Services is responsible for providing procurement services to UMD, the University System of Maryland Office, and Universities at Shady Grove. Additionally, the Construction and Facilities Procurement area provides capital construction procurement and contract administration services to its service center locations, institutions, including Bowie State University, Frostburg State University, Salisbury State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, The Universities at Shady Grove, Southern Maryland Higher Education Center, and University of Maryland Global Campus.

Physical Demands:

Sedentary Work: Primarily desk-based, requiring prolonged periods of sitting while performing tasks such as typing, filing, and using a computer.

Repetitive Motion: Frequent use of a keyboard, mouse, and phone, which may involve repetitive hand and wrist movements.

Occasional Lifting: Ability to lift and carry office materials, files, and supplies up to 20-25 pounds (e.g., boxes, office equipment).

Standing and Walking: Occasional walking to meetings, interacting with staff or faculty, and attending departmental events or presentations.

Visual and Mental Acuity: Requires the ability to focus on financial reports, spreadsheets, and documents for extended periods and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Communication: Frequent verbal communication with staff, faculty, and campus administrators, requiring clear speech and the ability to hear and respond appropriately in meetings and discussions.

Licenses/ Certifications:

N/A

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Three (3) years of experience as a buyer performing work involving development of vendor source and the procurement of a variety of supplies, materials, equipment and services.

Other: Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

Knowledge of the concepts of market value and sources of supply for a variety of supplies, materials, and equipment.

Knowledge of competitive bid purchasing principles, methods and procedures.

Skill in the use of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace products.

Ability to interpret narrative and technical product specifications and standards.

Ability to maintain effective relationship with internal and external stakeholders.

Additional Job Details

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