Specialist - Purchasing

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Hoffman Estates (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Harper College is seeking a buying professional to coordinate procurement activities, develop RFPs/ITBs/RFQs, review bids, and support contract negotiations under Illinois statutes and college policies.

You will lead sourcing initiatives, optimize purchasing processes, maintain Oracle Purchasing integrations, and work with departments and vendors to ensure compliant, efficient procurement operations across the college.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Five years’ experience in purchasing, shipping/receiving, and basic accounting preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
• Shows sound judgement and effective decision-making in a procurement context.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate procurement activities with departments, vendors, and consultants.
• Develop RFPs, ITBs, RFQs, and other procurement documents; review bids for compliance.
• Support contract negotiations and ensure adherence to laws and policies.
• Lead sourcing initiatives, evaluate supplier performance, and optimize costs.
• Maintain procurement records, reports, and coordination with Oracle system.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Contract negotiations

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Vendor management

Decision making

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Oracle Purchasing

Job description

ABOUT US

We are Harper College...the college in your community.

The College was established by referendum in 1965 and openedSeptember 1967. It is named for Dr. William Rainey Harper, apioneer in the junior college movement in the United States and thefirst president of the University of Chicago.

Harper College is now one of the nation’s premier communitycolleges and one of the largest, serving approximately 29,000students annually in Chicago’s northwest suburbs. The College’sacademic programs prepare students for rewarding careers and fortransfer to four-year universities. Harper offers associate degreeand certification programs, advanced career programs, workforcetraining, professional development, continuing education classes,accelerated degree options for adults and developmental educationprograms.

At Harper College, we are committed to fair and equitablecompensation for all employees. In compliance with Illinois statelaw, we prioritize transparency in salary information. Our salaryranges reflect our dedication to attracting and retaining toptalent while ensuring equitable pay practices.We encourage opendiscussions about compensation and invite you to reach out with anyquestions you may have regarding salary details. Harper Collegetypically offers compensation up to the median market rate for thisposition. We aim to ensure our pay is competitive while aligningwith both the role's requirements and the candidate's experience.To review all benefit information visit us at:

https://www.harpercollege.edu/about/directory/hr/index.php

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree required. Certification in theProcurement Field (CPPB, CPM, CPSM etc.) is preferred and shall berequired to continue in position.

Experience: Five years’ experience in purchasing a variety ofgeneral and specialized items, shipping and receiving, and basicaccounting, preferably for a Public Sector entity. ProficientMicrosoft Word and Microsoft Excel use. Displays willingness tomake decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgement; supports andexplains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people indecision-making process.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Characteristic Duties:

Coordinates the College's procurement activities by assisting withsolicitation development, bid and proposal administration, andcontract support. Works with departments, vendors, and consultantsto develop specifications and prepare Requests for Proposals(RFPs), Invitations to Bid (ITBs), Requests for Quotations (RFQs),and other procurement documents. Reviews bids and proposals forcompliance, supports contract negotiations, and recommends awarddecisions while ensuring adherence to State of Illinois statutes,Board of Trustees policies, and College procedures.

Leads sourcing initiatives by identifying opportunities forcompetitive purchasing, contract optimization, cost savings,quality improvements, and supplier diversification. Researchesmarket conditions, evaluates supplier performance, monitors pricingtrends, and develops sourcing strategies that supportorganizational objectives and maximize value.

Establishes, leads, and maintains business-to-business (B2B)supplier relationships, including vendor agreements, supplierpunchout catalogs, hosted catalogs, electronic ordering solutions,and other Oracle Procurement integrations. Collaborates withsuppliers and internal stakeholders to implement and maintainefficient purchasing processes, optimize supplier connectivity,ensure contract compliance, and enhance the end-user purchasingexperience within the Oracle system.

Coordinates testing, provides training, troubleshooting, andenhancement activities related to the Oracle Purchasing Module.Supports and leads Department initiatives. Identifies opportunitiesto improve procurement workflows, system functionality, reportingcapabilities, and operational efficiencies, while serving as aresource for end users Collegewide.

Ensures procurement activities are conducted in accordance withapplicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Maintainscomplete procurement records and documentation, prepares purchasingreports, analyses and develops procurement-related correspondence,and assists with board exhibits.

Serves as a liaison between the Purchasing Department and internaldepartments to provide guidance on procurement policies,procedures, and best practices. Communicates effectively withvendors, and internal and external partners to resolve purchasingissues, facilitate purchasing decisions, and ensure successfulprocurement outcomes.

Assists with resolving invoices, shipment, supplier, and contractissues; coordinates the disposal of surplus equipment and assets inaccordance with statutory and Board requirements; oversees the workof temporary employees and student assistants.

Provides backup support for purchasing staff as needed whilemaintaining high standards of professionalism, ethics, andconfidentiality.

Processes requisitions and approves purchase orders.

Performs other duties as assigned;

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Work is primarily indoors and sedentary in nature.

Equipment/Tools Used

Utilize standard office equipment, including computers, to performthe duties of the job.

Supervision:

Under the general supervision of the Purchasing Manager, receivesoral and written instructions as needed. Provides directions fortemporary staff and student assistants.

42.11306

ABOUT THE TEAM

Financial Services, under the direction of the Controller, encompasses thebusiness side of running the College.

RESPONSIBILITIES