Procurement Accountant

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17 paid holidays

Medical, dental & vision benefits

Retirement savings programs

Generous paid time off

Free EV charging on campus

Health equity culture

Growth and development opportunities

Diverse campus community

Meaningful work supportive of research

Job summary

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) seeks a detail-oriented Procurement Accountant to manage purchasing, vendor relations, and procurement records.

The role supports budgetary matters and ensures cost-effectiveness and compliance across university departments. Reporting to the Procurement Supervisor, you will lead PO processing, maintain vendor data in the ERP (Great Plains), and support competitive bidding while collaborating with Accounts Payable and stakeholders to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 3–5 years of procurement experience with vendor negotiations and PO processing.
• Proficiency in Excel and Word; attention to detail; ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience with ERP purchasing systems and Great Plains is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement operations and process purchases per university policy.
• Prepare purchase orders and monitor orders through delivery.
• Coordinate order tracking with Shipping/Receiving and internal customers.
• Manage vendor records, bid processes, and vendor debarment reviews.

Skills

Vendor negotiations

Attention to detail

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP purchasing systems

Great Plains Purchasing Module

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Los Angeles, CA | Full-Time | Onsite

Help Power a Mission That Matters

At Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), every purchase supports something bigger than a transaction. It supports the education of future healthcare professionals, groundbreaking research, and our mission to advance health equity in underserved communities.

As a community-founded, mission-driven university, CDU is seeking a detail-oriented and customer-focused Procurement Accountant to play a critical role in managing procurement operations, vendor relationships, purchasing activities, and financial stewardship across the university. If you enjoy balancing analytical thinking, problem-solving, vendor negotiations, and customer service while working for an organization that makes a meaningful community impact, we'd love to meet you.

Why Join CDU?

• 17 Paid Holidays Each Year
• Excellent Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits
• Retirement Savings Programs
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Free EV Charging Stations on Campus
• Mission-Driven Culture Centered on Health Equity
• Professional Growth and Development Opportunities
• Collaborative and Diverse Campus Community
• Meaningful Work That Supports Education, Research, and Community Health

About The Role

Reporting to the Procurement Supervisor, the Procurement Accountant is responsible for purchasing materials and services in accordance with university policies and procedures while ensuring cost-effectiveness, quality, vendor compliance, and timely delivery. This position serves as a key partner to departments across the university and plays an important role in maintaining procurement records, managing vendor relationships, supporting competitive bidding processes, and assisting with budgetary matters.

What You’ll Do

Lead Procurement Operations

• Process and manage purchases of materials and services in accordance with university procurement policies.
• Prepare purchase orders and monitor order status through delivery.
• Coordinate order tracking with Shipping and Receiving and provide timely updates to internal customers.

Build Strong Vendor Partnerships

• Conduct annual vendor debarment reviews.
• Create and maintain vendor records within the University's ERP system, including Great Plains.
• Participate in vendor demonstrations and help identify new sourcing opportunities.
• Monitor pricing trends and negotiate purchases that balance quality, cost, and service.

Support Strategic Purchasing & Compliance

• Manage competitive bid processes and ensure compliance with university requirements for purchases over $25,000.
• Maintain procurement documentation and purchasing records that support Accounts Payable and financial operations.
• Assist with procurement procedures, procurement reporting, and departmental budgetary matters.

Manage Contracts & Financial Documentation

• Prepare and track consultant agreements, contract extensions, leases, and renewals.
• Reconcile invoices and collaborate closely with Accounts Payable.
• Prepare procurement reports and analyses for management.

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a related field.
• 3-5 years of procurement experience, including vendor negotiations and purchase order processing.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education or an academic environment.
• Experience using ERP purchasing systems.
• Experience with Great Plains Purchasing Module.
• Experience with online approval workflows and procurement systems.

The Ideal Candidate

You Are

• A skilled negotiator who enjoys finding value-driven solutions.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.
• Customer-service focused and responsive to stakeholder needs.
• Comfortable working with procurement data, contracts, and financial information.
• An excellent communicator who can build productive relationships across departments and with external vendors.
• Passionate about supporting an institution committed to serving diverse communities.

Why This Role Matters

Behind every successful academic program, research initiative, and community health effort is a strong operational foundation. As a Procurement Accountant, you’ll help ensure CDU has the resources, partnerships, and financial stewardship necessary to fulfill its mission.

Your expertise will directly support the faculty, staff, researchers, and students who are transforming healthcare and advancing equity in the communities we serve.

Join CDU and help make every dollar count toward a healthier future.