Buyer I - Accounting & Procurement

Valdosta State University; Valdosta (GA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA, seeks a Buyer I for Accounting & Procurement to procure supplies, equipment, and services for campus departments. This regular, full-time role emphasizes eProcurement and policy adherence to State of Georgia guidelines.

Responsibilities include processing purchase orders, maintaining records, coordinating with departments, ensuring regulatory compliance, identifying vendor sources, and monitoring requisitions and contracts to support campus operations.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in specified field and one (1) year of related work experience.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Professional licensure, certification, and/or designation may be required in some areas.

Responsibilities

• Process purchase orders and requisitions - 25%: Review and processes requisitions and prepare purchase orders.
• Maintain files - 15%: Maintain and update a variety of purchasing files and records.
• Coordinate with departments - 15%: Coordinate with university departments to determine procurement needs and coordinate the acquisition of goods and services.
• Ensure compliance - 10%: Ensure compliance with state laws and university purchasing policies and procedures.
• Determine vendor sources - 20%: Determine vendor sources and product availability.
• Monitor status - 15%: Maintain contact with vendors and ensure compliance with contracts. Track the status of requisitions, contracts, and orders.

Education

Associate's degree

Job description

Job Title: Buyer I - Accounting & Procurement
Location: Valdosta State University
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 304910

About Us

As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities' rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia's Core Values.

Blazer Creed

Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity, and citizenship. As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University. Civility - A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being. Integrity - Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty. Citizenship - Every Blazer has an interest in the well‑being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help. As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles of Civility, Integrity, and Citizenship.

Job Summary

Procure supplies, materials, equipment, and services for campus departments.

Responsibilities

In addition to procuring good and services for the campus with an emphasis on eProcurement purchases, this position will be responsible for all aspects of non-benefit insurance and claims for the University and administers the Fleet Management program. Serves as the primary point of contact with internal and external constituencies on insurance and claims functions. Acts as liaison for the University on any matters pertaining to purchase, maintenance, repair and disposition of fleet vehicles. Ensures that all activities follow State of Georgia, Board of Regents, and Valdosta State University regulations/policies by staying current on updates.

Typical Allocation of Duties

• Process purchase orders and requisitions - 25%: Review and processes requisitions and prepare purchase orders.
• Maintain files - 15%: Maintain and update a variety of purchasing files and records.
• Coordinate with departments - 15%: Coordinate with university departments to determine procurement needs and coordinate the acquisition of goods and services.
• Ensure compliance - 10%: Ensure compliance with state laws and university purchasing policies and procedures.
• Determine vendor sources - 20%: Determine vendor sources and product availability.
• Monitor status - 15%: Maintain contact with vendors and ensure compliance with contracts. Track the status of requisitions, contracts, and orders.

Supervisor Expectations

• Obtain GCPA certification after six (6) months of hire.
• Serve as point of contact for non-benefit insurance and University Fleet Management.

Required Qualifications

Associate's degree in specified field and one (1) year of related work experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. Professional licensure, certification, and/or designation may be required in some areas.

Proposed Salary

$16.70/hr ($34,746/annual)

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Conditions of Employment

Applicants are required to provide:

• professional references with current contact information
• documentation of academic credentials
• employment history

Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to:ask candidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment,view social media outlets, andremove job postings without additional notification.Employment is contingent upon:successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background checkreference checksEmployment may also be contingent upon the job-based requirements if applicable for your position:satisfactory credit checksuccessful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)pre-employment drug testingconfirmation of credentials After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training:New employee orientationVSU's Annual Compliance Training:USG Ethics PolicyConflict of Interest/Outside Activities PolicyDrug Free WorkplaceSexual Misconduct and Title IXFamily Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)Motor Vehicle PolicyWorkers Compensation (new hires)Georgia Open Records Act (new hires)USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly)Job-specific training such as: FMLA and Worker's Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive DrivingEqual Employment Opportunity

Equal Employment Opportunity

Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.

Background Check

• Position of Trust + Credit

Accommodations

If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Catherine Wills, in the Office of Human Resources at [e-mail].

Special Applicant Instructions

Valdosta State University may provide employment-based immigration sponsorship for select positions when consistent with institutional needs, University policy, and applicable law. Sponsorship is considered on a case-by-case basis and is not available for all positions. Applicants who anticipate requiring employer sponsorship now or in the future are encouraged to contact Human Resources early in the recruitment process with questions regarding sponsorship eligibility.

Clery Disclosure

The Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act requires institutions of higher education to publish an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR). The ASFSR includes crime statistics for the three previous calendar years of reported crimes that occurred on campus; in or on certain non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by our institution; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and fire safety policies and statistics. The ASFSR is published annually by October 1 and is available online at: https://www.valdosta.edu/administration/finance-admin/police/asfr-2026-ybl.pdf. You may request a paper copy of the report by emailing [e-mail].