Associate Director of Purchasing -

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act.

The Associate Director of Purchasing supports the Director in leading and managing all aspects of the University’s procurement operations, overseeing a purchasing budget of approximately $40 million. This position maintains full charge of the purchase order process and daily workflow, while providing buying expertise across a broad range of commodities — including information technology, furniture, athletics equipment and apparel, and various facilities-related goods and services — ensuring compliance with state statutes, university policies, and ethical procurement standards.

The Associate Director supervises a clerical support staff of three, coordinating operational activities, workload prioritization, and performance development in alignment with departmental goals. This position also carries responsibility for contract lifecycle management, advising campus stakeholders on contractual compliance and working to standardize and negotiate agreements that align with the University’s financial and operational objectives. Additionally, this position is responsible for campus-wide training and communications related to purchasing systems and procedures, as well as for recommending, developing, and implementing improvements to policies, programs, and processes that advance the efficiency, effectiveness, and service-oriented mission of the Purchasing department. The Associate Director acts on behalf of the Director in their absence.

Bachelor’s degree; or Associate’s degree and two years of related experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Permanent Full-Time

40

12

03/20/2026

Yes

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include a cover letter, current resume, and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact Tamrick Mull at tmull@email.wcu.edu

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.