Purchasing Buyer

Under the direction of the Director of Purchasing, the Purchasing Buyer is responsible for procuring equipment, goods, and services in compliance with the Utah State Procurement Code and Utah Tech University procurement policies and procedures. This position manages a variety of procurement activities including formal and informal solicitations, supplier relationship management, contract coordination, purchase order processing, and strategic sourcing initiatives.
The Buyer works collaboratively with faculty, staff, vendors, and campus stakeholders to support operational and academic needs while ensuring compliance, fiscal responsibility, and efficient procurement practices. This position also assists with procurement training, supports the University Purchasing Card (PCard) program, and contributes to process improvements and campus-wide procurement education.

Additional information about the Purchasing Office can be found online athttps://employees.utahtech.edu/business-services/purchasing/.

• Collaborate with University departments to identify and support procurement needs for goods, services, equipment, and construction-related purchases.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with internal departments, project managers, and campus stakeholders to promote communication, trust, and effective coordination throughout the procurement process.
• Review requisitions for accuracy, compliance, funding, and completeness; create and process purchase orders in a timely manner.
• Prepare, issue, evaluate, and award formal and informal solicitations including Requests for Quotes (RFQs), Invitations for Bids (IFBs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and sole source justifications.
• Develop specifications and scopes of work in collaboration with campus departments to ensure competitive and compliant procurements.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with vendors and suppliers while promoting fair and ethical procurement practices.
• Evaluate supplier performance and assist in resolving vendor concerns, discrepancies, or contract-related issues.
• Assist in administering the University Purchasing Card (PCard) program, including application review, cardholder support, training, compliance monitoring, and audit assistance.
• Provide guidance and training to faculty and staff regarding procurement procedures, State code requirements, and University policies.
• Research and identify cost-saving opportunities, cooperative contracts, and process improvements that provide added value to the University.
• Coordinate purchasing activities with departments such as Accounts Payable, Budget, Finance, Legal Affairs, Information Technology, Facilities, and Internal Audit.
• Maintain accurate procurement records, contracts, supplier documentation, and purchasing data for reporting, audit, and compliance purposes.
• Analyze purchasing trends and spending data to improve operational efficiency and support strategic sourcing efforts.
• Assist with year-end purchasing activities and ensure deadlines and procurement timelines are met.
• Support implementation and utilization of procurement systems and technologies, including electronic sourcing and contract management platforms.
• Represent the Purchasing Office in a professional and service-oriented manner while maintaining confidentiality and ethical procurement standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Public Administration, Finance, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years of professional purchasing, procurement, contracts, or related experience required.
• Working knowledge of procurement principles, contract administration, competitive solicitation processes, and vendor management.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain policies and procedures to a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated customer service and interpersonal skills with the ability to establish effective working relationships across campus and with external vendors.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and Adobe Acrobat.

• Higher education, government, or public procurement experience preferred.
• Experience with procurement and financial systems such as Ellucian Banner, Chrome River/Emburse, Jaggaer/SciQuest, or similar ERP and eProcurement platforms.
• Knowledge of Utah State Procurement Code and public procurement practices.
• Experience drafting solicitation documents, specifications, and contract language.
• Familiarity with purchasing card administration, auditing, and compliance monitoring.

POSITION DETAILS, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:Full-time overtime-exempt staff position. Annual salary of $50,000+ depending on qualifications and experience. Desired start date of July 2026. Excellent benefits package included that begins on start date; includes medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, employee assistance and wellness programs, retirement plan contributions, and undergraduate tuition waivers for employees and eligible dependents, as well as paid holidays in addition to sick and vacation leave accruals. Seehttps://humanresources.utahtech.edu/employee-benefits/ under "Benefits Summary" for more details.

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PROCEDURES:Application review begins June 8, 2026.Submit application materials (including resume contents and contact information for three professional references) and upload a cover letter electronically.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY:Utah Tech University is an open, comprehensive, polytechnic institution, committed to exceptional student learning and success that has adopted an instructional approach of "active learning. active life." and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. We seek faculty and staff committed to creating an active, applied and career-oriented learning environment that is student-centered. Established in 1911 as a community college and in 2013 as a state university, our University is located in picturesque southwestern Utah, approximately 120 miles northeast of Las Vegas. The area is renowned for its red rocks, desert climate, over 300 days of sunshine annually, and featuring easy access to world-class outdoor recreational opportunities.Click here to learn more about the University.

Utah Tech University is a fast-growing Utah public institution of higher education, with more than 13,000 students. We offer over 250 programs, including doctoral, masters, bachelors, associates, certificates, endorsements, minors, and/or emphases. We seek faculty and staff committed to creating an active, applied, and career-oriented learning environment that is student-centered, who bring new ideas, possess values and career aspirations aligned with the University's mission and vision, and are inspired to build a premier open, comprehensive, polytechnic university.

Utah Tech employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must provide employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Utah Tech is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources athr@utahtech.edu or 435-652-7500.

Utah Tech University does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services. For more information or contact information, please visithttps://titleix.utahtech.edu/reporting-discrimination/.

For important information regarding academics, campus safety, student services, employment laws, and other regulatory requirements, visit Utah Tech University's Right-to-Know https://utahtech.edu/right-to-know/ and Clery Acthttps://police.utahtech.edu/clery-act websites.