Lead Departmental Buyer – Procurement & Contracts (Higher Ed)

utaustin; United States; On-site; USD 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bureau of Economic Geology at UT Austin is seeking a Senior Departmental Buyer to lead procurement for its research and operations on the Pickle Research Campus in North Austin. This in-person role requires independent work, meticulous record-keeping, and strong collaboration with internal stakeholders and vendors.

Responsibilities include end-to-end purchasing, contract reviews, and developing procurement strategies that align with the unit's budget and goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, or a related field; 3+ years of experience.
• Experience with vendor negotiations and contract compliance.
• Proficiency in enterprise financial systems used at UT Austin (DEFINE, Contracts Plus).
• Strong organizational and communication skills; ability to interpret procurement regulations.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate full procurement lifecycle for goods, services, and equipment; vendor selection, bids, contracts, purchase orders.
• Handle purchasing activities using UT ProCard/PointPlus and UT Market; liaise with contracts office; ensure compliance.
• Mentor and lead departmental purchasing staff; maintain documentation and audit readiness.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Autonomy

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration / accounting

Tools

UT ProCard

UT Market

DEFINE

Contracts Plus

Job description

The Bureau of Economic Geology at UT Austin is seeking a Senior Departmental Buyer to lead procurement for its research and operations on the Pickle Research Campus in North Austin. This in-person role requires independent work, meticulous record-keeping, and strong collaboration with internal stakeholders and vendors.

Responsibilities include end-to-end purchasing, contract reviews, and developing procurement strategies that align with the unit's budget and goals.