Strategic Sourcing Purchasing Agent - Hybrid

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Daytona Beach (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time off

Tuition coverage

Retirement plan contributions

Personal leave

Job summary

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Purchasing Agent to join the Procurement Services team in Daytona Beach, FL. The role partners with university departments to guide procurement, process requisitions, and support competitive solicitations including RFPs, ITNs, and RFQs while ensuring policy and regulatory compliance.

The successful candidate will conduct spend analyses, engage suppliers, negotiate contracts, and lead sourcing strategies to optimize value,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, procurement, supply chain management, or related field.
• Minimum 1–3 years of relevant work experience in accounting or finance.

Responsibilities

• Provide procurement guidance and process purchase requisitions.
• Source goods and services and support RFPs/ITNs/RFQs.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and regulatory requirements.
• Perform spend analysis and supplier engagement.
• Negotiate contracts and manage supplier relationships.
• Develop sourcing strategies to optimize value and reduce risk.
• Act as procurement consultant to departments and promote best practices.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Decision making

Supply chain knowledge

Procurement processes

Communication skills

Customer service

Organizational skills

Process improvement

Budget awareness

Cross-department collaboration

Discretion with sensitive information

Accountability

Stress management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business / procurement / supply chain

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Procurement tracking systems

Job description

The Opportunity

The Strategic Sourcing Purchasing Agent reports directly to the Director of Procurement Services and serves as a key member of the University's Procurement team. This position partners closely with departments across the University to provide procurement guidance, process purchase requisitions, source goods and services, support competitive solicitation processes including Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Invitations to Negotiate (ITNs), and Requests for Quotations (RFQs), and ensure compliance with University policies and applicable regulatory requirements.

The Purchasing Agent works collaboratively with faculty, staff, administrators, and internal stakeholders to deliver exceptional customer service while supporting the University's operational, academic, and strategic objectives. The role contributes to strategic sourcing initiatives through spend analysis, supplier engagement, contract negotiation, supplier relationship management, and sourcing strategy development designed to optimize value, reduce risk, contain costs, and improve procurement outcomes. The position also serves as a procurement consultant to University departments by promoting best practices and identifying opportunities to leverage University-wide spending.

The successful candidate will be able to work independently on complex projects requiring sound judgment, strong analytical skills, and demonstrated procurement expertise while collaborating with Procurement leadership to identify opportunities for spend consolidation, supplier leverage, process improvement, and operational efficiencies. This position plays an active role in supporting solicitation activities, evaluating supplier proposals, measuring sourcing performance, and implementing strategic purchasing initiatives that advance the University's procurement objectives.

About us

For over 100 years, Embry-Riddle has been the world's leading aviation and aerospace university, educating more than 30,000 students across residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, as well as through a global network of Worldwide locations and online programs. With more than 165,000 alumni around the world, our impact reaches every corner of the aerospace, aviation, defense and technology industries.

Today, our faculty, researchers and professional staff are advancing innovation across aviation, space, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and next-generation engineering. Working alongside industry leaders, government agencies and innovators, they are solving real-world challenges and shaping the technologies that will define tomorrow.

Whether you are an educator, researcher, administrator, technologist or industry professional, your work at Embry-Riddle will contribute to something bigger than a job. Join a community driven by discovery, purpose and excellence-and help shape the future of aerospace.

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy up to 18 days of paid leave in your first year, including 3 days granted upon hire and 15 days accrued throughout the year. You'll also receive 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.

• Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26.

• Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes 6% of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution - with no vesting period.

• Personal Leave: Relax with 15 days of personal leave for non-exempt employees or 18 days for exempt full-time employees in your first year.

Required Education and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, or a related field required.

Experience

• Minimum of 1-3 years of relevant work experience in accounting or finance.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong negotiation, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• In-depth knowledge of supply chain and procurement functions and procedures.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to deliver high levels of customer service to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to work proactively and drive process improvements.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience using procurement tracking systems and tools.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Strong budgeting and financial process awareness.
• Comfortable working collaboratively with both the Budget Office and Controller's Office on payment and process-related issues.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and in stressful situations.
• High level of accountability and willingness to take ownership of tasks, decisions, and outcomes.

Embry-Riddle is committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We strive to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students are treated fairly and provided equal opportunities for employment, advancement, compensation, training, and other benefits of employment. Embry-Riddle makes employment decisions - including hiring, promotions, compensation, and other terms of employment - based on individual merit, qualifications, and abilities. Embry-Riddle is strongly opposed to discrimination and harassment, and such behavior is prohibited by university policy. Embry-Riddle does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics, age, religion, or pregnancy status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, in its employment, educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, or other school-administered programs or activities. For further information, please visit our website.