Procurement Analyst II

Special Instructions to Applicants: Please attach a cover letter and a curriculum vitae in the Supporting Documents section of the application.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

About George R. Brown School of Engineering

The George R. Brown School of Engineering ranks among the top 20 undergraduate engineering programs (US News & World Report) and is strongly committed to nurturing the aspirations of faculty, staff, and students in an inclusive environment.

We seek greater representation of women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans in disciplines in which they have historically been underrepresented; to attract international students from a wider range of countries and backgrounds; to accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff who are diverse in background and thought, and we support an inclusive environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our diverse community.

Position Summary:

The Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering has an open Procurement Analyst position. The Procurement Analyst will be an integral member of ECE’s research, finance and administrative team. This role provides comprehensive procurement support for a broad portfolio of contracts, subawards, and departmental purchasing activities. Responsibilities include gathering required documentation and approvals for purchase requests, receipting purchase orders to facilitate payment, and reconciling p-card transactions. The Procurement Analyst also prepares financial management reports for assigned research grants, monitors transactions, and supports other essential financial operations within the department.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The successful candidate will demonstrate experience in procurement operations within a large, complex organization, with prior use of P-Cards considered an asset. They will possess strong analytical capabilities, enabling them to assess complex data, uncover trends, and drive cost efficiencies and process enhancements. Advanced expertise in Excel or similar analytical tools, as well as hands-on experience with procurement systems, is essential.

Workplace Requirements:

Hybrid position: This is a full-time position requiring on-site work during the six-month probationary period. After successful completion of the probationary period, limited hybrid work flexibility may be available. In accordance with Rice Policy 440, work arrangements are subject to change.

Proposed Hiring Range : $63 ,100 - $69,900

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 2+ years of experience in accounting/finance
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of market conditions, trade practices, sources, and lead times
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment
• Ability to identify, clarify and resolve routine to moderately complex issues
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population
• Understanding of and familiarity with specific acquisitions processes such as RFP’s, IFB’s Source Selection methodologies, market surveys, auctions and analytics-applied decision making
• Demonstrated proficiency in MS Office (MS Excel and MS Word) and Adobe Acrobat

Preferences:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, or finance experience
• Experience working in an institution of higher education with some experience in financial management
• Management of personnel and grants/contracts with federal/state agencies
• Procurement experience. 1-3 years of accounts payables, preferably in expense processing, financial administration, or P-Card administration

Essential Functions:

• Serves as a relationship manager to campus vendors
• Advises and assists department staff, faculty and leadership in the acquisition of goods and services and in the selection of supplies and equipment
• Performs high value transactions and services such as buying scientific or other specialized equipment and supplies
• Conducts market research on services, materials, equipment and supplies
• Evaluates price, quality, availability, reliability, and technical support when choosing equipment and supplies
• Evaluates vendor quotes, negotiates price and delivery and places orders
• Identifies and obtains inventory and non-inventory material goods and services
• Researches and resolves issues or discrepancies with deliveries and pricing, and ensures accuracy of the delivery and timely payments to vendors
• Advises and assists departments in the selection of appropriate supplies and equipment, as needed
• Performs related procurement activities as assigned
• Prepares, reviews, processes, and reconciles invoices and expenses
• Leads departmental sourcing and procurement strategies
• Oversees the supplier registration process within the department
• Collaborates with departments and process partners to resolve procurement-related issues
• Serves as a point of contact for Property Accounting, as applicable
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Provides administrative support by coordinating research-related travel, procuring equipment and supplies, and scheduling meetings and events.
• Supports faculty, students, and staff by responding to inquiries related to purchase orders and assisting with the acquisition of vendor quotations.
• Trains faculty, students, and staff on the use of the Quartzy web-based system.
• Serves as a liaison between the department and the Rice Procurement Office, Payments Team, Facilities Management, and Inventory Management teams.

• Serves as the primary representative for space management and laboratory/equipment oversight

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.