Buyer - Princeton University

Overview

Princeton University’s Office of Finance and Treasury seeks a highly motivated and capable procurement specialist for a position in the central Procurement Services function. This role supports campus departments with sourcing and buying activities within a decentralized e-Procurement environment ensuring the effectiveness of the University’s source-to-pay (S2P) process and systems.

As a key member of the procurement services function, this position leads tactical sourcing activities, manages a portfolio of contracts, and ensures high dollar purchase transactions are appropriately compliant with policy, funding obligations, and good procurement practices.  

Through a consultative approach, this role guides campus departments in selecting suppliers and pricing, utilizing contracts, and educates on procurement best practices. This position suggests and implements process improvements to enhance the S2P process in collaboration with campus partners and internal stakeholders. This role also guides campus department stakeholders to resolve system, process, purchase transaction, and supplier issues which may include supplier fulfillment delays, supplier non-compliance to performance expectations, import/export compliance and contractual matters.

The Office of Finance & Treasury actively searches for staff members of exceptional ability and promise who share in Princeton University's commitment to excellence, and who present a diversity of viewpoints and cultures. We offer varied professional opportunities spanning all aspects of financial management, analysis, and processing in support of the teaching and research mission. As part of the University community, we respect the dignity and individuality of each member while trying to foster a sense of shared experience and common purpose. We are unwavering in our commitment to both diversity and community and embrace the variety of talents, backgrounds, and perspectives of all of our colleagues.

Responsibilities

Requisition Processing and Compliance

• Collaborate with campus partners to ensure contracts, purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and payments are transacted efficiently and effectively
• Review, evaluate, and approve purchase requisitions within an e-Procurement system for a wide variety of categories and campus departments.
• Negotiate supplier pricing and terms, calculate cost savings, and document purchase transactions in compliance with University policy and procurement best practice, consulting internally with category managers and contract managers as necessary and appropriate
• Create and use data, and collaborate with stakeholders, to develop process improvements
• Provide guidance to campus partners to resolve procurement and compliance issues
• Ensure selected suppliers are appropriate, agreements protect the University, and pricing considers the total cost of ownership
• Utilize interpersonal skills and well-reasoned judgment to balance and resolve conflicting demands to meet academic and administrative department and researcher’s needs while delivering value and protection to the University

Tactical Sourcing & Contracting

• Develop and execute requests for information (RFI) and requests for proposal (RFP) and support category management activities for more complex projects
• Evaluate bids and use appropriate analytical tools to evaluate and select suppliers in support of stakeholders’ goals and objectives
• Support negotiations to ensure optimal value to the University
• Participate in value contribution and cost containment activities
• Create and execute contracts according to University policy in alignment with category strategy and in conjunction with stakeholders
• Collaborate with the Category Managers to manage assigned contracts and ensure they meet University needs
• Ensure end users have access to accurate catalog content
• Analyze spend data to identify cost savings and operational efficiencies

Buying Support

• Resolve supplier, procurement, and fulfillment issues as necessary in support of campus departments
• Collaborate, prioritize and use judgment with stakeholders to provide high levels of service and ensure alignment with organization and departmental objectives
• Use data to communicate insights into common issues and leverage resources appropriately
• Lead training sessions to guide campus stakeholders on sourcing and procurement policy and procedures

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or 2-4 years’ equivalent experience in a sourcing and procurement profession
• Strong collaboration and communication skills with the ability to influence others
• Demonstrated ability to manage a portfolio of responsibilities, priorities and tasks
• Analytical skills necessary to drive process improvements
• Excellent skills with Microsoft Office Tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPM or CPSM certification
• Ability to negotiate contracts with suppliers to achieve organizational objectives
• Experience working with federally funded procurements
• Experience with electronic sourcing and eProcurement tools
• Experience with contracts and understanding terms and conditions
• Experience with category management concepts

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Standard Weekly Hours

Eligible for Overtime

Benefits Eligible

Probationary Period

Essential Services Personnel (see policy for detail)

Physical Capacity Exam Required

Valid Driver’s License Required

Experience Level