Temporary Purchasing Assistant

Northwestern University; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern University in Evanston is seeking a temporary full-time Purchasing Assistant to join the Temp Center. The role involves purchasing support and expense report processing, working 37.5 hours per week at 9am-5pm in the office, with pay of $23.00 per hour.

You will assist faculty, staff, and students, ensure compliance with university policies, and use MS Office for daily tasks. A bachelor's degree and strong writing and organizational skills are required.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Strong writing skills.
• High level of organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Diligent and can work independently.
• Experience working with confidential information.
• Professionalism.
• Flexibility, adaptability in a fast paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with purchasing and expense report processing to support departmental operations.
• Help faculty, staff, and students while ensuring compliance with university policies.
• Maintain attention to detail and provide strong customer service.

Skills

Writing skills

Organization

Independent work

Confidential information handling

Professionalism

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Job description

Department: Temp Center
Salary/Grade: TMP/01
Position: Temporary Purchasing Assistant
Hours: This is a full-time position (37.5 hours per week/ 9am-5pm in office / M-F)
Pay: $23.00 per hour
Campus: Evanston
Location: Evanston, Illinois
Approximate start date: 10/5/2026
Approximate end date: 4/30/2027

Northwestern University is seeking a temporary full-time Purchasing Assistant for the Evanston campus.

Temporary Job Description

Engineering with purchasing and expense report processing. This role is part of a team focused on smooth departmental operations, assisting faculty, staff, and students, and ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures. Successful candidates will have strong attention to detail, excellent customer service skills, comfortability with bookkeeping and/or numbers, and effective written and verbal communication skills. Previous administrative office experience and familiarity with enterprise financial and purchasing systems are preferred.

Qualifications Required

• A bachelor's degree or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience;
• Strong writing skills;
• High level of organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Diligent and can work independently;
• Experience working with confidential information;
• Professionalism;
• Flexibility, adaptability in a fast paced environment.

Software Required

• MS Office suite 2013 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

In addition to salary, this temporary position is eligible for paid time off and paid sick time in accordance with Northwestern University policies. This position is not eligible for other benefits offered to regular staff positions.

Northwestern University seeks to employ a varied and diverse range of dynamic people who understand the importance of our mission and vision. When you consider a temporary opportunity at Northwestern University, you know that you are joining an institution with a deep history of academic, professional and personal development.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.