Senior Purchasing Agent

Department: Procurement and Payment Services

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Range is $20.48 - 24.88/hr based on qualifications

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8a - 5p. Flexibility in schedule may be available based on departmental needs and supervisor approval; work is performed on-site and in person.

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story

"An office is a place where dreams come true" – Michael Scott.

Do you enjoy solving problems, building relationships, and helping organizations make smart purchasing decisions? Are you interested in a career that combines strategy, compliance, customer service, and business operations?

The person selected for this position will have the requisite experience and confidence needed to assist with the daily needs of the department and the eagerness to jump in with our E-Procurement system. We need your work ethic and pride to drive you through learning all the regulations under which the university must operate. Bring your motivation to deliver high quality and adaptive results within the bounds of policy and with the resources at hand. Your documentation of solutions or processes, thorough and professional correspondence with requestors, and a robust understanding of policy &/or regulations will give you a leg up in this office.

In this role, you'll serve as a trusted advisor to departments across campus, helping them navigate purchasing requirements, identify procurement solutions, manage contracts, and acquire the goods and services needed to support teaching, research, student success, and university operations. You'll have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of procurements, collaborate with stakeholders across campus, engage with suppliers, support research initiatives, and contribute to projects that improve efficiency and strengthen business processes. From formal bids supplier partnerships, no two days are exactly alike.

We're looking for candidates who are curious, detail-oriented, customer-focused, and excited about helping others succeed while ensuring responsible stewardship of university resources. Just like Michael Scott said, “It’s never too early for ice cream.” The world’s best boss would agree with us in that it’s never too early to submit your application for this position!

Job Summary

Coordinates the process for acquisition of goods and services for campus departments.

Essential Functions

Researches, analyzes and evaluates requisitions based on procurement standards. Prepares bids and awards contracts for the procurement of product and service needs of the University. Coordinates the contract administration for established University enterprise agreements. Provides guidance and consultation to University administration regarding a variety of purchasing issues and inquiries.

Job Duties

• Review and approve requisitions to ensure compliance with university, state, federal, and sponsor requirements, including appropriate procurement methods, bid thresholds, account coding, supporting documentation, and contract utilization.
• Coordinate and facilitate sourcing activities, including Requests for Quote (RFQ), Requests for Proposal (RFP), Requests for Information (RFI), and other procurement methods while ensuring adherence to applicable regulations and policies.
• Manage and administer contracts by creating, maintaining, monitoring, and auditing purchasing agreements while assisting departments with contract interpretation and procurement strategy.
• Partner with campus departments, principal investigators, suppliers, and stakeholders to provide procurement guidance, resolve purchasing issues, support sponsored projects, and facilitate successful procurement outcomes.
• Assist in the development of training content, job aids, documentation, and outreach materials to improve understanding of procurement policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
• Support continuous improvement efforts through process analysis, policy development, supplier engagement, fiscal year-end activities, documentation management, and implementation of strategic procurement initiatives.

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Seven (7) years of experience in procurement or related field. Every 30 hours of college coursework can be substituted for two (2) years of experience.

Required License/Certifications/Training:

None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of procurement principles, sourcing methods, contract administration, and purchasing regulations.
• Ability to review and analyze procurement transactions for accuracy, compliance, completeness, and adherence to established policies and procedures.
• Interpret and apply complex regulations, contract terms, procurement requirements, and business rules while exercising sound judgment.
• Ability to research, analyze, and resolve procurement issues involving multiple stakeholders, suppliers, and regulatory requirements.
• Capable providing effective customer service, consultation, and guidance through clear written and verbal communication.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and successfully coordinate complex procurement activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Coursework in purchasing, contracting, public administration, supply chain management, accounting, or finance.
• Experience using ERP or eProcurement systems such as Unimarket, Jaggaer, Workday, PeopleSoft, SAP, Oracle, or similar platforms.
• Experience reviewing and approving requisitions, purchase orders, contracts, or sourcing events.
• Experience interpreting and applying procurement policies, regulations, and contractual requirements.
• Experience providing customer service, consultation, and training to business users.
• Experience working with state, federal, grant-funded, or sponsor-funded purchasing requirements.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators. Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchange information.

Additional Physical Requirement: