Purchasing Manager

The College of St. Scholastica; Duluth (MN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The College of St. Scholastica seeks a Purchasing Manager to oversee campus purchasing, procurement, and related business services. You will guide Workday procurement configurations, data quality, and user training while ensuring policy compliance and process improvement.

In this role you will manage supplier relationships, negotiate terms, and coordinate insurance documentation, renewals, and vendor risk. A strategic partner to departments, you will drive cost savings and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Business Administration, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; 3+ years experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee purchasing activities and coordinate timely, cost-effective procurement of goods and services.
• Support Workday integration, configuration, testing, and optimization of purchasing processes.
• Establish and maintain supplier relationships, monitor performance, and manage contract renewals.
• Coordinate insurance documentation, renewals, and related requirements; monitor deadlines.
• Develop and maintain purchasing procedures and strengthen internal controls.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource for faculty, staff, and administrators on procurement policies and Workday processes.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Management or related field

Tools

Excel

Databases / enterprise systems

Workday

Job description

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.