Finance Procurement Specialist (HEOa) - Purchasing

Lehman College; New York (NY); On-site; USD 73,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Lehman College in New York seeks a Finance Procurement Specialist to assist the Procurement Director with diverse operations, ensuring compliance with College and City policies. The role involves preparing requisitions, processing orders, and coordinating RFQs, RFPs, and vendor management.

The position emphasizes analysis, reporting, and process improvements within the Procurement Office, supporting MWBE and related compliance efforts. Strong collaboration across campus is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and four years of related professional experience required.
• Experience in procurement, purchasing, contract administration, or related field.
• Ability to interpret policies and procurement requirements; manage multiple priorities under deadline pressures.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and process RFQs, RFPs, and IFBs, including documentation and bidder lists.
• Coordinate requisitions, purchase orders, contracts, and related procurement documents.
• Review and monitor contracts, renewals, and milestones for timely action.
• Provide guidance to departments and resolve procurement issues promptly.
• Assist with spend analysis, reporting, and procurement process improvements.
• Collaborate with vendors, CUNY Central Office, and internal stakeholders.

Skills

Procurement experience

Contract administration

Financial administration

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CUNYfirst

CUNYBuy

Excel

Access

Outlook

Job description

Finance Procurement Specialist (HEOa) - Purchasing

Lehman College, the senior College of the City University of New York seeks a Finance Procurement Specialist in the Department of Procurement to assist the Procurement Director with the various operations of the department.

Responsibilities

Conduct assigned aspects of the procurement process, including the preparation, review, processing, and execution of requisitions, purchase orders, contracts, and related procurement documents; ensure compliance with CUNY, City, State, and College policies and procedures. Review, assign, and monitor requisitions in CUNYBuy; provide guidance to departments, resolve procurement issues, and ensure purchases are processed accurately and timely. Assist departments with developing specifications, scopes of work, and solicitation documents; support the preparation and administration of RFQs, RFPs, and IFBs, including developing bidder lists, distributing solicitation documents, coordinating required advertisements, and assisting with the review and evaluation of responses. Prepare and process contract award, renewal, extension, amendment, and related documentation; monitor contract expenditures, expiration dates, renewals, and other milestones to ensure timely action and continuity of services. Coordinate vendor-related activities, including obtaining required documentation, submitting new vendor information to CUNY Central Office, and serving as a liaison among College departments, vendors, the Procurement Office, and the CUNY Vendor Management Unit. Maintain procurement and contract tracking systems; identify priority and time-sensitive procurements; review and reconcile CUNYfirst reports; and prepare spreadsheets, status reports, dashboards, and other management tools, including information required for MWBE and procurement-related reporting. Conduct spend analysis by category, vendor, department, and College function; identify purchasing trends and opportunities for cost savings, standardization, consolidation, and other procurement efficiencies. Assist with the development and implementation of procurement procedures, internal controls, and workflow improvements; collaborate with Business Office staff to streamline processes, improve efficiency, strengthen compliance, and enhance customer service. Provide procurement guidance and technical assistance to College departments and assist with procurement-related research, audits, reconciliations, special projects, and requests for documentation from College management, CUNY Central Office, auditors, and other oversight entities. Assist the Director of Purchasing with special projects, procurement initiatives, and day-to-day operations of the Procurement Office; may act on behalf of the Director in the Director's absence.

Qualifications

Required: Bachelor's degree and four years of related professional experience required. Demonstrated experience in procurement, purchasing, contract administration, financial administration, or a closely related field. Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and procurement requirements. Experience managing multiple assignments and priorities in a deadline-driven environment.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Public Administration, or a related discipline preferred. Knowledge of governmental procurement procedures, New York State procurement requirements, CUNY purchasing policies and procedures, contract administration, and procurement reporting principles, including MWBE/SDVOB requirements. Knowledge of competitive procurement methods, including RFQs, RFPs, and IFBs, vendor registration, contract renewals, procurement compliance, contract tracking, and related processes. Strong analytical, research, evaluation, and problem‑solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy and the ability to analyze procurement and financial data and identify trends and opportunities for improvement. Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and establish productive working relationships with College departments, vendors, CUNY Central Office, and other internal and external stakeholders. Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to establish priorities, manage multiple and competing assignments, coordinate procurement activities, follow up on outstanding matters, and meet established deadlines in a time‑sensitive, customer-service-oriented environment. Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment while also functioning effectively as a collaborative team member; ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive procurement, financial, contractual, and vendor information. Ability to identify workflow and operational issues, develop practical solutions, and recommend strategies to improve procurement processes, efficiency, internal controls, customer service, and spend management. Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, particularly Excel and Access, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, PeopleSoft/CUNYfirst, CUNYBuy, and other financial, procurement, reporting, and database systems; ability to learn and effectively utilize new technologies and systems. Ability to prepare and interpret procurement reports, spreadsheets, status reports, tracking tools, and management analyses, including spend analysis, contract monitoring, procurement performance reporting, and other operational reports.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Coordinates matters related to procurement under management direction. Maintains accounts, budgets, contracts, agreements, and documentation related to the procurement process. Analyzes procurement practices, procedures, and responsibilities, developing process documentation and identifying potential improvements. Maintains College and University systems that manage and track procurement activities. Assumes responsibility for selected procurement projects. Performs related duties as assigned.

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Assistant

FLSA

Non-exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary commensurate with education and experience, $73,294 -$85,556. CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

CLOSING DATE

Review of applications will begin on October 17, 2026 and continue until a candidate has been identified.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID: 32851

Location: Lehman College