Senior Purchasing Agent

Eastern Michigan University; Ypsilanti (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Eastern Michigan University is seeking a Senior Purchasing Agent to lead procurement within assigned categories. You will engage with departments to run strategic sourcing events, negotiate vendor agreements and develop vendor relationships while ensuring compliance with university policies.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree with several years of purchasing or strategic sourcing experience, plus familiarity with Banner/SAP/Oracle ERP platforms and strong project-management skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 3–5 years purchasing experience or 8 years direct purchasing experience.
• 3+ years progressively responsible strategic sourcing experience.
• Experience negotiating contracts and maintaining records to audit contract compliance.
• Emphasis on project management skills with business ethics.
• Knowledge and experience with Banner or other ERP software with procurement modules.

Responsibilities

• Perform market analysis and develop data elements for RFPs/RFQs/RFIs.
• Formulate specifications and review responses to award recommendations.
• Negotiate contracts with vendors and maintain records for audit.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with university policy and procedures.
• Coordinate e-Procurement and Purchasing Card platforms usage.
• Review viable options for materials, equipment, supplies and services.
• Decide on public bids or use of existing/consortium contracts.
• Serve as liaison to departments and outside agencies for commitments.
• Coordinate web-based purchasing programs with strategic suppliers.
• Familiar with Federal, State and Local rules for applicable DEA compliance and hazardous materials.
• Identify strategic suppliers and maintain competitive pricing relationships.
• Mediate vendor/consumer conflicts and provide resolution.
• Perform general accounting functions related to POs and expenditures.
• Contribute to goals and objectives for Purchasing.
• Participate in workshops and committees related to the area.
• Complete other duties as necessary.

Skills

Market analysis

Strategic sourcing

Contract negotiation

Vendor relationship mgmt

Project management

Communication

e-Procurement / Purchasing Card

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or related field

Tools

Banner ERP

SAP

Oracle

Procurement systems

Job description

Title: Senior Purchasing Agent

Employee Classification: PE - Professional/Technical Exempt

Pay Grade: PT 08

Division: Business and Finance

Subdivision: Purchasing

Department: Business and Finance

Campus Location: Main Campus

General Summary

Responsible for all related procurement activities within assigned commodity categories. These responsibilities include engaging with department(s) to execute strategic sourcing events, develop strategic vendor relationships and negotiate vendor agreements.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform current market analysis and internal specifications development with university departments to compile all data elements for the creation of Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quotation (RFQ) and/or Request for Information (RFI).
• Formulate specifications document for complex or unique goods and services. Review and analyze responses to make award recommendations to the department.
• Negotiating contracts with vendors and maintaining records to audit contract compliance.
• Ensure all purchasing activities adhere to established University's Procurement policy and procedures guidelines.
• Previous background in the use of e-Procurement and Purchasing Card platforms.
• Review all viable purchasing options with university departments for the acquisition of materials, equipment, supplies and services.
• Determine whether to process for public bids or the use of existing or consortium contracts/agreements.
• Serve as liaison to all University departments, administrators and outside agencies with authority to make commitments based on EMU's purchasing policy and procedures.
• Coordinate, monitor and maintain web-based purchasing programs with strategic suppliers.
• Familiar with Federal, State and Local rules and regulations for assigned area, if applicable, for DEA compliance, hazardous materials purchases.
• Determine strategic suppliers for selected commodities and maintain existing relationships with vendors to ensure the availability of competitive priced goods and services.
• Mediate vendor/consumer conflicts and provide resolution.
• Perform general accounting functions, including, but not limited to, purchase order review, account expenditures, and change orders.
• Contribute to the development of goals and objectives for Purchasing.
• Conduct or participate in workshops, committees and professional conferences designed for the area of assignment.
• Complete other assigned duties as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of a Bachelor's degree with three to five years of purchasing experience or 8 years of direct experience in purchasing is required.

At least three (3) years progressively more responsible strategic sourcing experience is required.

This position requires specific knowledge and experience within the area assigned.

Experience in negotiating contracts with vendors and maintaining records to audit contract compliance is required.

Emphasis on project management skills with a high degree of business ethics.

Knowledge and experience working with Banner or other related ERP software (SAP, Oracle) with procurement applications is required.

Ability to communicate effectively with both internal and external clients, displaying a high level of customer service is required.

Preferred Qualifications

N/A

Special Instructions

N/A

Appointment Percentage

100%