Purchasing Specialist

The University Purchasing Department is a service unit within the Division of Business and Finance reporting to the Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Administration. The Purchasing Department administers the procurement function for the

University. The unit is staffed by a team of professional, experienced, and dedicated employees.

Primary Purpose of the Position:

The primary purpose of this position is to provide support within the Purchasing Department to fulfill the University's procurement related requirements. A purchasing specialist is responsible for ensuring all request and supporting documentation submitted to the Purchasing department is accurate and in compliance with current university and state purchasing policies. Th is position will support campus purchasing activities by overseeing the functional setup and maintenance of contracts within the electronic procurement (eProcurement) system, as well as lead sourcing events for various equipment, supplies and services.

Bachelor's degree; or associates degree and two (2) years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Professional Knowledge: Possession of professional skill and/or knowledge of large-scale purchasing, laws, policies, regulations, practices and purchasing methods and procedures, General knowledge of accounting principles and methods in relation to purchasing. Knowledge of applicable sources, prices, market factors and product characteristics of various commodities and/or services.

Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of a variety of technology, financial systems, and software packages to create and maintain data. Knowledge of technology principles and terminology associated with the work unit and area of responsibility. Working knowledge of technologies and systems in place with the capability of supporting these technologies. Technical Support: Ability to troubleshoot standard/common operating systems and software/hardware issues. Ability to listen to symptom descriptions to analyze problems and to resolve effectively. Ability to communicate technical information in an understandable way to non-technical users.

Planning and Organization: Ability to implement established rules and regulation, review work for compliance to standards, and propose procedural changes and/or policy revisions. Research emerging technologies associated with supported systems.

Coordination of Workflow: Determine and execute workflow for purchasing process; collect and review purchasing information; monitor and apply procedures. Prepare and maintain records.

Customer Service/Communication: Ability to determine customer needs and effectively communicate back to internal and external stakeholders. Develop and maintain strong relationships with departmental personnel, vendors and other customers/clients both orally and in writing. Support and encourage improved customer service behavior. Attends training sessions, holds meetings, and informs customers of new procedures, contract changes. Provide input to improve communications with customers.

Problem Solving: Ability to resolve problems of moderate complexity. Ability to select best solution from several options or where no precedent exists. Ability to make suggestions for and/or implement process improvements in the work unit. Ability to interpret oral and/or written guidelines to solve problems.

Project Management: Ability to establish working relationships with others and provide communication of activities. Ability to manage technical projects involving own work and under minimal supervision. Demonstrates initiative in solving problems associated with projects and daily work.

Please make sure that the work history listed on your application is identical to the work history listed on your resume. The application must be filled out completely, Do Not Use the phrase "see resume."
Please list at least three (3) professional references to include a current supervisor. References will only be contact if you are selected for the position and with your permission.

If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

This position is subject to the successful completion of an employment background check. An employment background check includes a criminal background check, employment verification, reference checks, license verification (if applicable), academic verification and credit history check (if applicable).

Fayetteville State University is committed to equality of educational opportunity and employment and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status. Moreover, Fayetteville State University values diversity and actively seeks to recruit talented students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds.

Fayetteville State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and seeks priority referrals of protected veterans for our openings.