Specialist - Purchasing

William Rainey Harper College; Palatine (IL); On-site; USD 58,676 - 73,345; Full time

Job summary

William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, IL seeks a procurement professional to coordinate purchasing activities and support contract administration. You will develop RFPs/ITBs/RFQs, review bids, and help ensure compliance with state policies and college procedures.

The role emphasizes supplier relationships, cost savings, and process improvements within the Oracle Purchasing module, with a focus on accurate record-keeping and stakeholder communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Five years’ experience in purchasing for general and specialized items.
• Proficient in Word and Excel; ability to justify decisions.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate procurement activities: solicitation development, bids, ITBs, RFQs, and related documents.
• Assist with contract negotiations and award recommendations.
• Lead sourcing initiatives for cost savings, supplier diversification, and process improvements.
• Maintain Oracle Purchasing module testing, training, and end-user support.
• Ensure procurement records and reports meet laws, policies, and procedures.
• Communicate with vendors and internal departments to resolve issues.

Skills

Purchasing experience

MS Word

MS Excel

Decision making

Vendor relations

Education

Bachelor's degree

Procurement certifications (CPPB/CPM/CPSM)

Tools

Oracle Procurement

RFx/bid management tools

Job description

We are Harper College…the college in your community.

The College was established by referendum in 1965 and opened September 1967. It is named for Dr. William Rainey Harper, a pioneer in the junior college movement in the United States and the first president of the University of Chicago.

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

At Harper College, we are committed to fair and equitable compensation for all employees. In compliance with Illinois state law, we prioritize transparency in salary information. Our salary ranges reflect our dedication to attracting and retaining top talent while ensuring equitable pay practices.We encourage open discussions about compensation and invite you to reach out with any questions you may have regarding salary details. Harper College typically offers compensation up to the median market rate for this position. We aim to ensure our pay is competitive while aligning with 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 the Procurement Field (CPPB, CPM, CPSM etc.) is preferred and shall be required to continue in position.

Experience: Five years’ experience in purchasing a variety of general and specialized items, shipping and receiving, and basic accounting, preferably for a Public Sector entity. Proficient Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel use. Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgement; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process.

Job Description

Characteristic Duties:

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

Leads sourcing initiatives by identifying opportunities for competitive purchasing, contract optimization, cost savings, quality improvements, and supplier diversification. Researches market conditions, evaluates supplier performance, monitors pricing trends, and develops sourcing strategies that support organizational objectives and maximize value.

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

Coordinates testing, provides training, troubleshooting, and enhancement activities related to the Oracle Purchasing Module. Supports and leads Department initiatives. Identifies opportunities to improve procurement workflows, system functionality, reporting capabilities, and operational efficiencies, while serving as a resource for end users Collegewide.

Ensures procurement activities are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Maintains complete procurement records and documentation, prepares purchasing reports, analyses and develops procurement-related correspondence, and assists with board exhibits.

Serves as a liaison between the Purchasing Department and internal departments to provide guidance on procurement policies, procedures, and best practices. Communicates effectively with vendors, and internal and external partners to resolve purchasing issues, facilitate purchasing decisions, and ensure successful procurement outcomes.

Assists with resolving invoices, shipment, supplier, and contract issues; coordinates the disposal of surplus equipment and assets in accordance with statutory and Board requirements; oversees the work of temporary employees and student assistants.

Provides backup support for purchasing staff as needed while maintaining high standards of professionalism, ethics, and confidentiality.

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 perform the duties of the job.

Supervision:

Under the general supervision of the Purchasing Manager, receives oral and written instructions as needed. Provides directions for temporary staff and student assistants.

About the Team

Financial Services, under the direction of the Controller, encompasses the business sideof running the College.

Job Info

• Job Identification 231124
• Job Category Professional
• Posting Date 07/28/2026, 07:35 PM
• Locations 1200 W Algonquin Road, Palatine, IL, 60067, US
• Degree Level Bachelor\'s Degree
• Job Schedule Full time
• Salary Range $58,676 - $73,345
• Grant-funded position? No
• Salary Account Number 0001-8040-126-5102001-44020-051