Procurement Specialist

- Higher Education, government procurement experience preferred.
- Professional purchasing certification desirable (i.e. CPPB, CPPO, C.P.M. or CPCM).
- Ability to assess and demonstrate working knowledge of common procurement principles, ethics, and standards with integrity and confidentiality.
- Ability to take ideas or set of instructions and convey them to individuals or groups in a manner that is comprehensible (verbal and non-verbal), that leads to building strong professional relationships.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
- Able to facilitate training for staff and faculty at all levels within University.
- Familiar with accounting principles and practices.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a diverse team.
- Provide professionalism and diplomacy at all levels within the University.
- Must possess ability to adhere to strict deadlines while maintaining sense of urgency; multi-tasking daily duties and projects.
- Direct experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning System (" ERP") preferably Ellucian Banner.
- Direct experience with an eprocurement system, preferably Jaggaer (formerly SciQuest).
- Knowledge of State and departmental procurement regulations, guidelines, and policies and procedures including North Carolina Administrative Code, statutes and Executive Orders.
- Knowledge of the North Carolina E-Procurement System, the North Carolina Interactive Purchasing System ( IPS).
- Computer skills and knowledge; Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint), Adobe Pro; Visio knowledge desirable.
- Comfortable with public speaking (i.e. presentations) or training one-on-one or group settings.

Professional publishing certification desirable (i.e. CPPB, CPPO, C.P.M. or CPCM) desirable.

The position is responsible for acquiring goods and services for the University. Within the Procurement Services Office Team the Purchasing Agent/Procurement Specialist is expected to interface with department personnel and other administrators at the University to ensure that the University's needs and requirements are attained. This position may assist in administering and managing the University Procurement Card Program. This position is responsible for establishing and managing vendor relationships through Strategic Contracts and Master Service Agreements. These efforts must be compliant with all appropriate State of North Carolina, University and/or federal policies, provide internal customer support, category spend management, and vendor management. This position is responsible for evaluating requisitions for completeness, and taking appropriate actions for effective, ethical and timely procurement of products and services for the University. This position is scheduled for a normal 8:00am to 5:00PM work shift; however, the position carries a professional obligation to work additional hours when necessary to ensure performance of required duties or to meet deadlines.

The Procurement Office provides direction over the entire procurement activities within NCA& TSU, including purchasing and administration of the procurement card. Manages all procedural aspects of purchasing activities within State and Federal laws, North Carolina Division of Purchase and Contract rules and regulations, agency/university policy and procedures. Communicates with internal and external customers, clients and suppliers; negotiates between parties; verifies availability of funds, advises management on proper allocation of funds, etc.

Purchasing -In-depth knowledge of procurement principles, ethics and standards as it pertains to the State of North Carolina State or other State Government rules and regulations, to assist customers in acquiring goods/services. The procurement agent/specialist will be responsible for driving quality, delivery, supplier management, and pricing improvements to meet the goals of the organization and the needs of the customers.

Job Duties :
* Place orders for both products and services from external suppliers
* Manages assigned suppliers/vendors and the respective purchasing priorities including but not limited to - assist customers in writing scope of work/specifications, submits purchase orders using an electronic procure2pay system (Jaggaer ), handles returns to vendor and RMA's
* Develops relationships with suppliers to enable the organization to build strategic
partnerships with key suppliers - Supports cost, lead-time and quality improvement initiatives with key suppliers
* Negotiates pricing and contracts with new and incumbent suppliers/vendors
* Manages assigned supplier's spend, category spend and negotiates favorable payment terms and methods to improve working capital
* Identifies the appropriate method of solicitation and creates, executes and manages Request for Quotations (RFQs), Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitation for Bids (IFBs) process.
* Recommends new suppliers to do business with the organization
* Key point of contact between supplier/vendor and factory
* Works effectively with suppliers/vendors to help minimize costs and improve lead times
* Expedites orders that are needed to better align with customer expectations and requirements
* Performs root cause analysis on defective or unacceptable goods or services with inspection or quality control personnel, vendors, and others to determine source and take corrective action
* Communicates with and work closely with assigned departments
* Develops personal annual objectives and goals in concert with departmental and university goals
* Responsible for reporting on all assigned metrics and KPI's
* Develops action plans, standard work, and countermeasures as needed to support the
* metrics and KPI's
* Responsible for maintaining up to date files (i.e. contract, solicitation)
* Performs other related duties as required.

- Assess, identify/evaluate options for resolution(s) if applicable as it pertains to procuring products/services.
- Perform market research to understand conditions, availability of products/services, supplier capability(s), and other pertinent data to determine an efficient/effective method to procure products/services.
- Performs other related duties as required.

- Create and share documents from Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, and Outlook
- Create and share documents in Adobe Pro.
- Create and share data from Banner and eprocurement systems (Jaggaer formerly SciQuest).
- Assist in testing functionality (i.e. departmental/campus wide) and upgrades in Banner and eprocurement systems
- Responsible for assisting in material and format development to train staff and faculty university-wide related to eprocurement functionality and tools.
- Assist in development and maintenance of departmental procurement website.

Perform other related duties as required.

- Strong skills (verbal and nonverbal) to convey clear exchange of thoughts, ideas, feelings and emotions to customers, vendors, and teammates.
- Being flexible with teammates and customers when working to complete individual or team tasks/assignments.
- Be able to manage time to support and assist customers and teammates in acquiring products/services timely and adhering to state, federal and university rules/regulations.
Perform other related duties as required.

Ability to meet/exceed customer requirements/needs to provide customer service resulting in a positive customer experience.

Duties:
- Respect the diversity of customers and vendors.
- Provide accurate information when responding to customer inquiries and questions in accordance with established processes & procedures.
- Respond to customer inquiries, requests, feedback in a timely manner to maintain customer service standards (i.e. timeliness and accuracy).
Perform other related duties as required.

You must complete and submit an electronic application for employment to be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD 214 form. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with your application during the process of applying to the job posting. Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. North Carolina A&T State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. North Carolina A&T State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. No one who applies or seeks employment will be denied admission to or employment at North Carolina A&T State University on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disabling condition, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or sexual orientation and sexual identity.

Employee Benefits available to NC A & T permanent employees include the following and more: