Purchasing Agent III

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Position Summary:

The Division of Financial Affairs at Florida Atlantic University is seeking a Purchasing Agent III in Boca Raton, FL.

The Purchasing Agent III is responsible for developing, coordinating, and executing strategic procurement and contracting activities in support of the University community. Provides comprehensive procurement services throughout the procurement and contract lifecycle, ensuring compliance with Florida State University System Board of Governors (BOG) regulations, applicable procurement regulations and policies, and all relevant federal, state, and local laws. Promotes effective competition, cost efficiency, risk mitigation, contract compliance, and best value through sound procurement strategies, market research, financial analysis, and supplier relationship management. Serves as a procurement advisor and strategic partner to University departments, supporting institutional objectives through transparent, accountable, and results-oriented procurement practices.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Strategic Procurement and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develops, coordinates, and executes procurement strategies for assigned spend categories and commodities in alignment with University priorities, operational requirements, and applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Collaborates with departments across the Division of Financial Affairs and the broader University community to assess procurement needs, establish sourcing strategies, evaluate alternatives, and develop solutions that achieve operational objectives and deliver best value.
• Serves as a procurement liaison and advisor to end-user departments, project managers, and other stakeholders, providing guidance on procurement policies, procedures, competitive requirements, contracting options, and applicable BOG regulations and state statutes.
• Manages multiple procurement initiatives concurrently in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment, balancing competing priorities, project milestones, regulatory requirements, and established deadlines.

Procurement Lifecycle and Competitive Solicitations

• Coordinates and supports the full procurement lifecycle, from initial requirements assessment and sourcing strategy through solicitation, evaluation, award, contract execution, and ongoing contract administration.
• Develops, coordinates, and administers competitive solicitation documents, including Invitations to Negotiate (ITNs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Invitations to Bid (ITBs), ensuring requirements are clearly defined, evaluation methodologies are appropriate, and solicitation processes comply with applicable regulations and University policies.
• Conducts market research and supplier outreach to identify qualified sources, assess market conditions, evaluate available solutions, and promote effective competition.
• Analyzes and evaluates procurement alternatives, including state, county, cooperative, and other authorized public-sector contract vehicles, to identify compliant sourcing opportunities and maximize institutional value.
• Participates in bid and proposal evaluations, conducts cost comparisons and financial analyses, assesses supplier responses, and develops recommendations based on documented evaluation criteria, operational requirements, compliance considerations, and overall value to the University.

Contract Development and Administration

• Coordinates the review, negotiation, routing, execution, and modification of supplier contracts, purchase orders, and change orders in accordance with University policies, delegated authority, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Supports contract administration and management throughout the contract term, including monitoring contract expenditures, purchase order balances, invoice activity, deliverables, renewal provisions, expiration dates, and other critical contractual milestones.
• Collaborate with end-user departments, Accounts Payable, project stakeholders, and other relevant units to resolve contract-related issues, address supplier performance concerns, and promote timely and accurate invoice processing.
• Assists in the resolution of supplier disputes, contractual discrepancies, performance issues, and other procurement-related matters, escalating issues as appropriate to protect the University's interests.
• Maintains accurate and complete procurement documentation to support transparency, accountability, internal controls, and audit readiness.

Compliance, Risk Management, and Operational Effectiveness

• Interprets and applies applicable BOG regulations, state statutes, University procurement policies, and other relevant requirements to procurement and contracting activities.
• Identifies potential compliance gaps, contractual risks, process deficiencies, and opportunities to strengthen procurement controls; recommends appropriate corrective actions and risk mitigation strategies.
• Promotes consistent application of procurement requirements and supports the development of compliant, defensible, and well-documented procurement decisions.
• Utilizes the Workday enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and other designated procurement technologies to facilitate procurement transactions, maintain accurate records, monitor contract activity, and support effective workflow management.
• Prepares, analyzes, and interprets reports related to procurement activity, contract utilization, expenditures, spend patterns, supplier performance, and operational trends to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

Customer Service and Organizational Support

• Provides professional, responsive, and solutions-oriented service to University departments, suppliers, and other stakeholders while maintaining the integrity of procurement policies and established controls.
• Communicates procurement requirements, timelines, procedures, and decisions clearly and effectively to stakeholders with varying levels of procurement knowledge.
• Identifies opportunities to streamline workflows, improve procurement practices, strengthen internal controls, and enhance service delivery.
• Provides cross-functional support and serves as a backup for other Procurement functions to maintain operational continuity and meet departmental needs.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

FAU Benefits and Perks

If Benefits & Perks are important to you, then FAU is the place to be! Working at FAU has its perks! In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, FAU offers:

• Excellent benefit packages including Medical (PPO/HMO $50 per month single & $180 per month family), Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending plans, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and much more.
• State retirement options including tax-deferred annuities and Roth 403(b) plans.
• State employees Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• Sick Leave Pool Program.
• Paid time off (eligible employees) including vacation and sick leave, 1 personal day, 9 paid holidays, and paid winter break (at President's discretion).
• Paid Community Engagement Volunteer Service Day
• Employee Educational Scholarship Program (EESP) for eligible Staff/Faculty - Tuition assistance after 6 months of full-time employment. For in-unit faculty, the EESP program may be extended to spouses and dependent children (eligibility rules apply).

For details on FAU's amazing offers visit us at https://www.fau.edu/hr/benefits/index.php

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Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in an appropriate area of specialization and two years of relevant professional experience.

Demonstrated experience in procurement and contracting, including competitive solicitations, contract development and administration, supplier negotiations, sourcing analysis, and supplier relationship management.

Knowledge of procurement principles, competitive purchasing practices, contract management, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established deadlines.

Strong written and verbal communication, stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and customer service skills.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications:

Professional experience in public higher education procurement

Experience developing and administering complex competitive solicitations, including ITNs, RFPs, and ITBs.

Experience with Euna Solutions/Bonfire or comparable electronic public procurement and solicitation platforms.

Experience with Workday ERP or comparable enterprise procurement and financial management systems.

Familiarity with Florida public-sector procurement requirements, including applicable BOG regulations, state statutes, and University procurement policies.

Experience conducting market research, cost and pricing analyses, supplier evaluations, contract utilization reviews, and procurement reporting.

Demonstrated ability to identify procurement risks, strengthen internal controls, improve processes, and support audit-ready documentation.

Experience with strategic procurement and contracting activities for facilities management, physical plant, construction, and housing initiatives.

Required Licenses, Certifications, and/or Other Specific Requirements of Law:

Valid driver's license required.

Subject to a criminal background check, which may include Level II screening in accordance with Florida Statute §435.04.

Position is subject to applicable federal and state privacy regulations.

Salary:

$58,000.00 - $80,000.00

Commensurate with experience

College or Department:

Division of Financial Affairs

Location:

Boca Raton

Work Days and Hours:

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

Application Deadline:

2026-10-30

Special Instructions to Applicant:

This position may close without prior notice.

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:

Resume

Cover letter

OFFICIAL SEALED TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED:

Final candidate will be required to have official, sealed transcripts and original NACES evaluation, if applicable, sent from their educational institution to Human Resources prior to the start of employment.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS REQUIRED:

Selected candidates must successfully complete and pass all employment screenings prior to the start of employment. Employment screenings may include a criminal background check (level I and level II), motor vehicle check, credit check, reference checks, alcohol, and drug screening check.

REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATIONS:

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations may contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX at 561-297-3004 or send an email at accommodate@fau.edu. To contact Human Resources, please call 561-297-3057. For communication assistance call 7-1-1.