Strategic Procurement Buyer

Vanderbilt University; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt University is seeking a Procurement Buyer to support the Procurement Services Team in managing the full procure-to-pay process, including purchase orders, supplier onboarding, and contract deployment. The role emphasizes cost-effective purchasing, compliance, and stakeholder collaboration across faculty, staff, and students.

Responsibilities include drafting contracts, negotiating terms, and evaluating supplier performance, with a focus on sustainable and ethical sourcing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant procurement experience.
• Minimum of 2+ years of purchasing experience in a complex organization.
• Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) or other purchasing certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Order management: process, dispatch, and manage purchase orders per contract terms and policies.
• Maintain supplier records, onboard new suppliers, and foster relationships with vendors.
• Draft and negotiate contracts for goods and services; support supplier negotiations and RFPs.
• Monitor supplier performance and ensure compliance with obligations and quality standards.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and drive process improvements within procurement activities.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with university policies, regulations, and risk management standards.
• Promote sustainable and ethical sourcing aligned with the university's commitments.
• Utilize procurement software to analyze data, generate reports, and support decision-making.
• Provide excellent service to faculty, staff, and students; seek continuous improvement.

Skills

Procurement processes

Supplier relationships

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

CPM certification (preferred)

Tools

Oracle Cloud Procurement

Contract Management

Job description

Vanderbilt University is seeking a Procurement Buyer to support the Procurement Services Team in managing the full procure-to-pay process, including purchase orders, supplier onboarding, and contract deployment. The role emphasizes cost-effective purchasing, compliance, and stakeholder collaboration across faculty, staff, and students.

Responsibilities include drafting contracts, negotiating terms, and evaluating supplier performance, with a focus on sustainable and ethical sourcing.