Purchasing Specialist

University of North Carolina at Wilmington; Wilmington, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Purchasing Specialist at University of North Carolina Wilmington manages procurement for a diverse portfolio, ensuring best value, quality, and compliance. You will work with campus clients to identify needs, develop sourcing strategies, and process requisitions and purchase orders.

The role emphasizes collaboration, contract terms guidance, vendor evaluation, and adherence to state contracts, with opportunities to pursue professional certifications and ongoing learning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; or Associate’s degree and two years of related experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Three+ years of procurement experience.
• Experience using e-procurement systems such as Jaggaer, SAP Ariba, Oracle Procurement Cloud.
• Ability to develop scopes of work for RFPs and/or IFBs.
• Nationally recognized procurement certification is preferred (CPPO, CPPB, CPSM, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Research assigned commodities, gathering descriptive literature and pricing information.
• Maintain contracts in Contract Tracker and develop electronic catalogs.
• Collaborate with departments to understand product applications and prepare specifications.
• Refer to state contract directory to ensure compliance and seek competitive quotes.
• Engage with stakeholders and vendors to ensure timely, effective procurement outcomes.

Skills

Procurement research

Communication

Sourcing strategies

Contract terms

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Associate’s degree with related experience

Equivalent combination of training and experience

Tools

Jaggaer

SAP Ariba

Oracle Procurement Cloud

Job description

Benefits of Working at UNCW

At the University of North Carolina Wilmington, we are driven by a clear purpose: to empower student success, advance innovation, and strengthen the communities we serve. Guided by our strategic vision and commitment to excellence, UNCW offers a dynamic and collaborative environment where employees can make meaningful contributions while growing their careers.

Located in coastal North Carolina, UNCW combines the energy of a thriving academic community with the natural beauty of nearby beaches and outdoor spaces. Here, professional opportunity is balanced with an exceptional quality of life—creating a workplace where you can thrive both personally and professionally.

As a member of the Seahawk community, you’ll benefit from a culture that values well‑being, lifelong learning, and connection. UNCW offers a competitive and flexible benefits package designed to support your health, financial well‑being, and professional growth. From comprehensive health coverage and retirement options to generous paid leave, tuition opportunities within the UNC System, learning and development opportunities, and wellness programs, UNCW is committed to helping you thrive both at work and in your personal life.

This position is designated as Exempt from the Human Resources Act ( EHRA ).

The Purchasing Specialist position is responsible for managing the procurement of a diverse portfolio of commodities and services, ensuring the best value, quality, and compliance for the University. The ideal candidate will possess strong research and analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

This position works independently with clients across campus to identify procurement needs, develop sourcing strategies, and facilitate the acquisition of a wide range of goods and services. The Purchasing Specialist provides guidance on contractual terms and conditions, evaluates supplier proposals, and makes recommendations regarding contract awards and vendor agreements.

The position is responsible for developing and administering Requests for Quotes (RFQs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Invitations for Bids (IFBs), as well as processing requisitions, purchase orders, and related procurement transactions. The role requires collaboration with campus stakeholders to ensure timely, effective, and compliant procurement outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct thorough research on assigned commodities, including gathering descriptive literature and pricing information.
• Maintain and update contracts in the Contract Tracker system, and develop electronic catalogs to support the university’s mission.
• Collaborate with departments to understand product applications, make plant visits, and assist in preparing specifications.
• Refer to the state contract directory to ensure compliance with state contracts, and seek competitive quotes for items not covered.
• Engage in high‑volume daily interactions with colleagues, internal and external stakeholders, educational institutions, state agencies, and vendors.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree; or Associate’s degree and two years of related experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Three or more years of procurement experience
• The ability to comprehend and interpret NC general statutes as it relates to purchases and contracts
• Experience using e‑procurement systems such as Jaggaer, SAP Ariba, Oracle Procurement Cloud, etc.
• Ability to develop scopes of work for Request for Proposals and/or Invitations for Bid
• Nationally recognized procurement certification is preferred (i.e., CPPO , CPPB , CPSM , etc.)

Required Certifications or Licensures

While no certifications or licensures are required at the time of hire, candidates should be prepared to obtain the following within specified timeframes:

Within one year of employment:

Within three years of employment, one of the following certifications:

• Certified Professional Public Buyer ( CPPB )
• Certified Professional in Supply Management ( CPSM )
• NIGP -Certified Procurement Professional ( NIGP - CPP )

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The Purchasing Department plays a crucial role in supporting the University’s educational mission by helping departments acquire high‑quality goods and services at the best possible prices and within the required timeframes.

Our team is responsible for generating and managing contracts and leases, overseeing asset management from acquisition to disposal, and processing requisitions efficiently while adhering to state purchasing requirements, UNCW policies, and the highest ethical standards. Our primary focus is to meet the needs of the University community.

University Information

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world‑class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate‑level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN‑to‑ BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

EEO Statement

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex‑offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E‑Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Months per Year: 12

FTE: 1.0 (40 hours per week)

Type of Position: Permanent

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

None

Posting Specific Questions

• * How did you learn of this opportunity with UNCW? (2026)
  • UNCW Website
  • UNCW LinkedIn Page
  • UNCW X Account (formerly Twitter)
  • UNCW Employee Referral
  • UNCW Instagram Account (UNCW_jobs)
  • UNCW Job Alert
  • Chronical of Higher Education
  • Glassdoor
  • Higher Ed Jobs
  • Indeed
  • Inside Higher Ed
  • North Carolina Job Network
  • Craigslist
  • Career Events/Job Fairs
  • Billboards/Marquee
  • Other
• * If you selected "Other" to the question above, please explain how you found out about this opportunity. Enter N/A if not applicable.

  (Open Ended Question)