Purchasing Manager

College of St Scholastica Inc; Duluth (MN); On-site; USD 58,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

College of St Scholastica Inc in Minnesota is seeking a Purchasing Manager to oversee purchasing, procurement, insurance coordination, and related business services, promoting responsible financial stewardship through effective purchasing practices and contract management.

This role supports the implementation and ongoing use of Workday for procurement, serves as a primary resource across campus, and guides departments on policies, workflows, and vendor relationships to improve efficiency and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Administration, Procurement, or related field with at least three years' experience in purchasing/procurement or business operations; or equivalent.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and ability to work with databases and enterprise systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to customer service and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Purchasing and Procurement: Oversee purchasing activities and coordinate timely, cost-effective acquisition of goods/services.
• Evaluate suppliers, negotiate pricing and terms, coordinate orders/deliveries, identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Workday Integration and Systems: Support Workday purchasing configuration, testing, and optimization; maintain data and reporting.
• Vendor and Contract Management: Maintain supplier relationships, monitor performance, renewals, and risk.
• Insurance Coordination: Coordinate certificates of insurance, renewals, and related requirements.
• Business Operations and Process Improvement: Develop procedures, strengthen controls, and promote efficiency.
• Campus Engagement and Customer Service: Provide guidance on policies and Workday processes across campus.
• Reporting and Administration: Maintain records; use Workday/Excel to analyze activity and support decisions.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Management/Administration or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Databases

Workday

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Purchasing Manager

4 days ago Requisition ID: 1127

Salary Range: $58,000.00 To $64,000.00 Annually

The approximate base compensation range is posted, but the actual offer will reflect our total compensation and benefits package. The offer will be determined by a number of factors including the selected candidate's experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, FTE, number of months worked, as well as internal equity among our team.

Position Summary

The Purchasing Manager oversees the College's purchasing, procurement, insurance coordination, and related business services. This position promotes responsible financial stewardship through effective purchasing practices, supplier and contract management, insurance administration, and continuous process improvement.

The Purchasing Manager will play an important role in supporting the implementation, integration, and ongoing use of Workday for procurement and related business processes. Serving as a primary resource for departments across campus, the Manager provides guidance on purchasing policies, workflows, system functionality, vendor relationships, and insurance requirements while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, accountability, and customer service.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Purchasing and Procurement: Oversee purchasing activities and coordinate the timely, cost-effective acquisition of goods and services. Evaluate suppliers, negotiate pricing and terms, coordinate orders and deliveries, and identify opportunities for cost savings and improved purchasing efficiency.

Workday Integration and Systems: Support the implementation, configuration, testing, and ongoing optimization of Workday purchasing and procurement processes. Help establish effective workflows, maintain accurate supplier and purchasing data, support system adoption and user training, and collaborate with Finance, Information Technology, and campus departments to improve system functionality, reporting, and internal controls.

Vendor and Contract Management: Establish and maintain supplier relationships, monitor vendor performance, coordinate contract administration and renewals, and collaborate with departments to resolve purchasing issues and assess vendor-related risks.

Insurance Coordination: Coordinate insurance documentation, certificates of insurance, renewals, and related requirements with brokers, insurers, vendors, and internal departments. Maintain accurate records, monitor deadlines, and assist with insurance claims and information requests.

Business Operations and Process Improvement: Develop and maintain purchasing procedures, strengthen internal controls, analyze purchasing activity, and recommend improvements that support cost containment, compliance, and operational effectiveness.

Campus Engagement and Customer Service: Serve as a knowledgeable and responsive resource for faculty, staff, and administrators. Provide guidance on procurement policies, Workday processes, purchasing procedures, and related business services while promoting consistent practices across campus.

Reporting and Administration: Maintain accurate procurement, vendor, contract, and insurance records. Use Workday, Excel, and other information systems to analyze purchasing activity, prepare reports, monitor performance, and support informed decision-making.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Business Administration, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, or a related field, and at least three years of professional experience in purchasing, procurement, or business operations, preferably in higher education;or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, communication, and negotiation skills.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and the ability to work effectively with databases, enterprise systems, and electronic records.

Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, exercise sound judgment, and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to customer service, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Demonstrated cultural competence and the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in higher education, nonprofit organizations, or complex institutional environments.

Experience with Workday or another enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, including procurement workflows, system implementation, testing, reporting, or user training.

Familiarity with supplier negotiations, contract administration, vendor management, and purchasing policies.

Experience coordinating insurance documentation, certificates of insurance, renewals, or general risk management activities.

The Purchasing Manager supports the College's operational effectiveness and financial sustainability through efficient procurement, effective Workday utilization, strong vendor relationships, coordinated insurance activities, and responsible stewardship of institutional resources.