Purchasing Assistant

UF/IFAS - School of Natural Resources and Environment; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

UF/IFAS - School of Natural Resources and Environment in Gainesville seeks a Purchasing Assistant to handle daily purchasing duties, maintenance contracts, supplier liaison, and procurement system support.

You will follow state and university policies, provide excellent customer service, and help analyze purchasing patterns and budgets. A high school diploma with related experience is required; valid driver's license is needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and one year of appropriate experience. Appropriate college course work or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.
• A valid Driver's License is required.
• Proven excellence and experience in procurement.
• Proven excellence in customer service.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and their applications.
• Knowledge of medical and scientific products and their applications.
• Knowledge of State, UF, and College regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Strong internal initiative, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Good public relations skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and courteously, both written and verbally, and work with the public tactfully and courteously.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to use MS Office and fiscal-based applications.

Responsibilities

• Daily Purchasing Duties: Receive, research, process, and fulfill new order inquiries and requests.
• Long-Range and Situational Duties: Establish and manage maintenance contracts; liaise with suppliers and representatives.
• Analyze and Reporting Duties: Yearly Purchase Order reviews and recommendations for new Purchase Orders; purchasing trends; annual audit requirements.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Classification Minimum Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and one year of appropriate experience. Appropriate college course work or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Classification Title

Purchasing Assistant

Classification Minimum Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and one year of appropriate experience. Appropriate college course work or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Job Description

• Daily Purchasing Duties
  • Receive, research, process, and fulfill new order inquiries and requests
  • Investigate and reconcile outstanding orders
  • Employ proactive cost-savings initiatives
  • Communicate, coordinate, and cooperate with internal and external contacts
  • Use online and customized software applications
  • Follow University and State buying policies, protocols, and regulations
  • Provide exceptional customer service
• Long-Range and Situational Duties
  • Establish and manage maintenance contracts
  • Liaise with suppliers and representatives
  • Support customers in their use of procurement systems
  • Find alternatives for regularly stocked commodities
  • Collaborate with CVM fiscal teams
  • Assist with budgetary quotes
  • Audit buying patterns for efficiency and effectiveness
  • Interpret, explain, and apply complex policies and procedures
  • Research, identify, evaluate, support, and resolve discrepancies
  • Complete training requirements
• Analyze and Reporting Duties
  • Yearly Purchase Order reviews and recommendations for new Purchase Orders
  • Purchasing trends
  • Annual audit requirements
  • Departmental spending trends
  • May have to operate a state vehicle over limited distances
  • Other duties as assigned.

Expected Salary

$17.50 - $19.00 / hour

Required Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent and one year of appropriate experience. Appropriate college course work or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

A valid Driver's License is required.

Preferred

• Proven excellence and experience in procurement.
• Proven excellence in customer service.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and their applications.
• Knowledge of medical and scientific products and their applications.
• Knowledge of State, UF, and College regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Strong internal initiative, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Good public relations skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and courteously, both written and verbally, and work with the public tactfully and courteously.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to use MS Office and fiscal-based applications.

Health Assessment Required: No