Purchasing Manager

Kettering University

Flint (MI)

On-site

USD 85,000 - 120,000

Full time

10 days ago

Application generator

Turn this role into an interview — a resume and cover letter built around what this employer wants.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement benefits with matching

Life and accident insurance

Tuition assistance and waiver programs

Paid vacation and holidays

Sick and disability pay

Home purchase assistance

Recreation center membership

Job summary

Kettering University in Flint, MI seeks an experienced procurement professional to manage university purchasing operations and contract administration. You will lead supplier negotiations, develop standards, and collaborate with executives to align procurement with the university mission.

Responsibilities include policy development, bid management, vendor evaluation, and cost-saving initiatives, with a focus on compliance, stakeholder engagement, and ethical sourcing in a complex

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Legal Studies, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
Two or more years of progressively responsible experience in purchasing, contract administration, paralegal work, vendor management, or a related area
Strong contracting and negotiation skills.
Experience reviewing and negotiating contracts, identifying potential business or institutional risks, and escalating concerns when appropriate.
Experience supporting sourcing activities, including RFP / RFQ development, vendor evaluation, negotiations, and supplier management.

Responsibilities

Manage the daily operations of the purchasing function to ensure timely, ethical delivery of essential goods and services to the Kettering community.
Evaluate, make recommendations, and develop University-wide procurement policies and procedures for the implementation of standards that represent best practices in compliance with all applicable Federal and State rules and regulations.
Develop positive relationships and partner with Vice Presidents, Provost Office, Deans, Directors, Department Heads, and other campus constituents to develop and implement procurement initiatives that improve procurement processes, increase contract compliance, reduce purchase and invoice transactions and ensure support for the unit and the mission of the university.
Negotiate contracts for the acquisition of goods and services, as well as lead complex and detailed initiatives that are directly related to procurement. Promote strategic activities with commodities; focusing on supplier management.
Recommends overall contracting strategies and negotiates legal and business terms to support goals of the requester in alignment with contracting and regulatory requirements.
Apply facilitation and leadership skills to obtain end-user participation in and support for large scope purchasing projects.
Assist end-user departments in the formulation of bid specifications; facilitate and lead cross-functional task teams to garner end-user support on projects.
Contribute to the efficient operation of the business unit by partnering with the CFO ; provide information, insight, analysis, and recommendations to maximize revenues and profits.
Initiate cost savings programs, management and growth of a portfolio of contracts, providing vision and leadership in identifying strategic procurement initiatives.
Develop specifications, issue, and analyze requests for proposals and award contracts to successful suppliers.
Act as an agent of the university to negotiate with vendors and approve purchase orders within university approved budgets.
Employ data and metrics to manage the effectiveness and efficiency of procurement and contract operations.
Serve as backup to other areas of the Business Office.
Routinely update and maintain desk procedures for all related purchasing tasks.
Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Contracting & negotiation

RFP/RFQ development

Vendor management

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field

Tools

Ellucian Banner Finance

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Job description

About Kettering: Kettering University is a national leader in experiential STEM and business education, integrating an intense academic curriculum with applied professional experience. We inspire students to realize their potential and advance their ideas by combining theory and practice better than any institution in the world. Kettering University is dedicated to achieving the extraordinary through technological innovation, leadership, and service, built on values that foster respect, integrity, creativity, collaboration, and excellence in growth, global leadership, community outreach, and an engaged community of stakeholders.

Benefits: include health, dental and vision coverage; retirement benefits with up to a 9% Kettering matching contribution; life and accident insurance; tuition assistance and waiver programs; vacation and holiday pay; sick and disability pay; home purchase assistance program; recreation center membership; and many other benefits.

To learn more please view the Kettering University Profile.

Experience in higher education or non-profit.
Experience using Ellucian Banner Finance or a comparable enterprise resource planning or purchasing system preferred.
Comfort using AI-enabled tools to support research, drafting, analysis, and workflow efficiency, with appropriate attention to accuracy, confidentiality, and University policies, preferred.

Job Specific Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Legal Studies, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
Two or more years of progressively responsible experience in purchasing, contract administration, paralegal work, vendor management, or a related area
Strong contracting and negotiation skills.
Experience reviewing and negotiating contracts, identifying potential business or institutional risks, and escalating concerns when appropriate.
Experience supporting sourcing activities, including RFP / RFQ development, vendor evaluation, negotiations, and supplier management.

Competency Requirements

Understanding and commitment to Kettering values:
- RESPECT : for teamwork, honesty, encouragement, diversity partnerships with students.
- INTEGRITY : including accountability, transparency and ethics.
- CREATIVITY : fostering flexibility and innovation.
- COLLABORATION : across disciplines and with all partners.
- EXCELLENCE : in all we do.
Excellent customer service and communication skills in both written and verbal formats.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and diplomatically with all levels of an organization.
Ability to use the Microsoft Office and Google suites and other hardware/software as needed.
Strong analytical and organizational skills; able to follow through with commitments.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex projects simultaneously, including the ability to work effectively in a team environment and to make decisions within stated scope.

Posting Information

Posting Number

Posting Number SP00492

Posting Date

Posting Date 09/17/2026

Closing Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

Job Duties

Percent of total time

Percent of total time 100

Duties

Manage the daily operations of the purchasing function to ensure that the university’s policies and practices allow timely, efficient, and ethical delivery of essential goods and services to the Kettering community.
Evaluate, make recommendations, and develop University-wide procurement policies and procedures for the implementation of standards that represent best practices in compliance with all applicable Federal and State rules and regulations.
Develop positive relationships and partner with Vice Presidents, Provost Office, Deans, Directors, Department Heads, and other campus constituents to develop and implement procurement initiatives that improve procurement processes, increase contract compliance, reduce purchase and invoice transactions and ensure support for the unit and the mission of the university. This may include planning sessions designed to educate customers about procurement processes, supplier selection processes and supplier relationship management.
Negotiate contracts for the acquisition of goods and services, as well as lead complex and detailed initiatives that are directly related to procurement. Promote strategic activities with commodities; focusing on supplier management.
Recommends overall contracting strategies and negotiates legal and business terms to support goals of the requester in alignment with contracting and regulatory requirements.
Apply facilitation and leadership skills to obtain end-user participation in and support for large scope purchasing projects.
Assist end-user departments in the formulation of bid specifications; facilitate and lead cross-functional task teams to garner end-user support on projects.
Contribute to the efficient operation of the business unit by partnering with the CFO ; provide information, insight, analysis, and recommendations to maximize revenues and profits.
Initiate cost savings programs, management and growth of a portfolio of contracts, providing vision and leadership in identifying strategic procurement initiatives.
Develop specifications, issue, and analyze requests for proposals and award contracts to successful suppliers.
Act as an agent of the university to negotiate with vendors and approve purchase orders within university approved budgets.
Employ data and metrics to manage the effectiveness and efficiency of procurement and contract operations.
Serve as backup to other areas of the Business Office.
Routinely update and maintain desk procedures for all related purchasing tasks.
Other duties as assigned.