Buyer

Job Title:

Buyer

Full or Part Time:

Full time

Hours:

40

Exempt:

Yes

Supervisory Org:

Purchasing (PM)

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY: Conduct day-to-day processes to procure goods and services in accordance with the University’s purchasing policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Process purchase requisitions within the SVSU ERP system, ensuring compliance with policies and regulations. Review and validate requisitions, collaborate with initiators to make necessary revisions, issue purchase orders, and verify receipt of each order by the appropriate supplier.

• Develop proficiency with university procurement systems and accurately explain the use of these systems to university stakeholders.

• Work in a consultative manner with internal and external partners to procure goods and services, demonstrating expertise with respect to all procurement concepts, tools, and techniques for obtaining best value for the University while maintaining compliance with purchasing policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.

• Communicate with campus community regarding approved purchasing & contracting procedures and practices. Assist in the training of university stakeholders.

• Work with the campus community to facilitate product research and development of product and/or service specifications to facilitate effective competitive quote solicitation processes.

• Analyze University utilization and consumption patterns to identify opportunities to consolidate and leverage campus buying power.

• Serve as the department’s primary lead for management of several key supplier relationships throughout the procure-to-pay process.

• Serve as the department’s primary lead on the collection and tracking of cooperative purchasing agreements and contracts that could be used to obtain “best value” for the University in combination with or in lieu of competitive bid processes.

• Prepare and write bids and requests for proposals, analyze results, and make recommendations based on achieving optimum value for the University and meeting the needs of stakeholders.

• Work with the Administrative Secretary to coordinate and perform order confirmation, follow-up, and expediting tasks. Maintain appropriate supplier relationships. Communicate with external partners to ensure timely delivery of goods and services, as well as rectify shipping errors, damages, and returns for credit.

• Actively engage in Workday month-end and year-end closing tasks.

• Coordinate the delivery and installation of furniture and equipment between the supplier and the requesting department. Assure that appropriate insurance requirements are met as required.

• Cross-functional training on all procurement functions will be a requirement of this position.

• Perform other duties as assigned.
  

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: General supervision is received from the Associate Director of Purchasing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in related field.

• Three to five years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

• Detailed, accurate, and grammatically correct written & oral English language communication skills are an essential requirement of this position. Must be able to effectively communicate with all stakeholders, including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, visitors, suppliers, and guests.

• Must be a self-starter with demonstrated ability to work alone or as part of a team and perform duties within scheduled time limits.

• Ability to exercise independent and appropriate judgment based on specific situations.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new software quickly.

• Experience and ability to positively interact with all members of the campus community

• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or Supply Chain Management

• Employment experience in higher education

• Experience with Workday

• Experience with website creation and design
  

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Duties are generally performed inside and not exposed to adverse conditions.

• All work associated with this role must be performed within the state of Michigan.

The above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job. It shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

About SVSU:

Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its roughly 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. SVSU was recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for 9 consecutive years (2016-2024).

SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation.

SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students’ performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels. SVSU is constructing the first university research facility on Lake Huron to improve public health and the economy in the Saginaw Bay watershed.

More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in student housing that has been rated No. 1 among public universities in the U.S. (2018-2025). SVSU fields 20 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students. For more information, please visit our website , http://www.svsu.edu .