Purchasing Manager

Kalamazoo Valley Community College; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Kalamazoo Valley Community College is seeking a full-time Purchasing Manager to lead procurement, accounts payable and vendor relations, ensuring cost-effective practices and compliance with policies.

The role directs purchasing operations, analyzes invoices, supports transition to electronic payments, and collaborates with departments to meet campus needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility and high service standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in finance, accounting, supply chain management or related discipline.
• Three years of related professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Manages one or more direct reports and oversees hiring, onboarding, training and coaching.
• Reviews and approves invoices, reimbursements, vouchers and purchase orders.
• Resolves vendor balance issues and supports transition to electronic payments.
• Coordinates procurement of institutional supplies, equipment and maintenance contracts.
• Ensures purchasing activities comply with policies, grant requirements and laws.

Skills

Vendor management

Data analysis

Communication

Supervisory skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Bachelor's degree in supply chain management

Tools

Ellucian Banner

Job description

Posting Number: 201101579P

Job Title: Purchasing Manager

Location: Texas Township Campus

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full Time

Pay Rate: Minimum of $51,709 per year. Salary will be determined based upon education and relevant years of experience beyond the minimum requirements.

Position Type: Staff

Department: Business Services

Job Summary:

Are you passionate about improving processes and ensuring fiscal responsibility in an educational setting? Do you thrive in a collaborative environment where your leadership supports student success behind the scenes? If this sounds intriguing then Kalamazoo Valley Community College may have an exciting opportunity for you.

About Us:

Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a comprehensive, fully accredited, public, two-year college in Kalamazoo, MI. We offer associate degrees in more than 60 areas of study and 50 certificate programs. Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable opportunities that empower all to learn, grow, and thrive.

About the Opportunity:

Kalamazoo Valley is seeking a full-time Purchasing Manager. A primary responsibility of all employees is to support the instructional mission of the institution and to promote positive student and customer relations. This position plans, directs and evaluates the operational activities of the purchasing and accounts payable functions.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages one or more direct reports, participates in the hiring process, ensures appropriate onboarding, training, coaching and discipline, and through collaboration with the Human Resources Department, develops and implements effective supervisory practices.
• Reviews and approves invoices, expense reimbursements, internal claim vouchers and purchase orders.
• Resolves vendor balance issues and supports the transition of vendor payments from primarily check-based to electronic method/card.
• Supports purchase-card and Amazon purchasing program.
• Coordinates and maintains bid preparation and receipts, processes monthly purchasing card transactions and coordinates procurement of institutional supplies, equipment and maintenance contracts.
• Promotes and supports cost effective purchasing practices while supporting institutional needs.
• Compiles, analyzes, prepares and assists with various IRS filings.
• Provides audit support and preparation in areas such as prepaid expenses, accounts payable and fixed assets.
• Maintains institutional purchasing manual and ensures purchasing activities comply with college policies, grant requirements and applicable laws and regulations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of acceptable accounting principles and practices.
• Knowledge of acceptable external contracting standards and operations.
• Knowledge of acceptable supervisory practices and procedures.
• Skill in working with vendors providing products and services.
• Skill in computing and analyzing data.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications related to the essential functions of the job.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other personnel and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

A combination of education, training, experience, and talents are required for this role. An example of this would be a bachelor degree in finance, accounting, supply chain management or related discipline and three years of related professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience:

Experience with Ellucian Banner or other ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning System) preferred.

Physical Demands:

The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Requires mental acuity including the ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes, the ability to express ideas by means of the spoken word and have close visual acuity.

Work Hours:

Core business hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Posting Date:

09/23/2026

EEO Statement:

As an employer, Kalamazoo Valley encourages, welcomes, and fosters differences because we believe that diversity makes us great. It is the policy of Kalamazoo Valley Community College not to discriminate on the basis of race (including traits associated with race such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), religion, color, national origin/ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, age, height, weight, familial status, veteran status, marital status, citizenship, or any other status or characteristic protected by law, in its programs, services, employment or activities. All qualified applicants will be given equal opportunity and consideration for employment; please consider joining us as we empower all to learn, grow and thrive.

Background and Credit Checks:

Prior to a job offer, candidates will be required to complete a criminal record background check. For some positions, a credit history investigation will also be required. Information gathered will be used for job-related purposes to the extent permitted by applicable law and will not result in an automatic disqualification from an employment opportunity.