Purchasing Specialist

Purchasing SpecialistAbout the OpportunityJOB SUMMARYThe Purchasing Specialist serves as the main point person andsubject matter expert on the procure-to-pay and contract processesfor research in the Departments of Civil Engineering and ChemicalEngineering, including but not limited to navigating the contractprocess and understanding the requirements for different paymenttypes and requests for Civil Engineering and Chemical Engineeringfaculty. The Purchasing Specialist will be responsible for managingthe process, facilitating and executing research purchases with ahigh level of accuracy and customer service. They will partner withthe post-award management team to ensure purchases are compliantwith the proposed funding source and create documentation tocapture existing and new workflows, provide reports and statisticsas directed, and perform other duties as required. This person willbe trained in grant compliance and be able to advise faculty toensure purchases are compliant with sponsor and universitypolicies. This person will negotiate quotes and manage the contractprocess for the faculty member. This person will be asked toanalyze purchasing data and identify trends to make processes moreefficient. This position will be split evenly between theDepartment of Civil Engineering and the Department of ChemicalEngineering. The home department will be Civil and EnvironmentalEngineering. This position is hybrid with the understanding thatthe person is in-person at least 4 days a week.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSAssociate degree required, Bachelor's degree preferred. Excellentorganizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills. Aptitude foraccuracy and detailed work is essential. Ability to prioritize workand multitask with ease and efficiency. Must be process-orientedand have the ability to work both independently and in a teamenvironment. Successful candidates must stay current with all newand existing regulatory requirements and institutionalpolicies/procedures and keep faculty PIs and department leadershipinformed of changes. Due to the amount of personal and financialinformation involved this person must have the aptitude fortreating sensitive information related to salaries in aconfidential and professional manner. High level of customerservice and boutique support. Desktop software application skillsrequired for the following: web browsers, Adobe, Microsoft Teams,Excel, and Outlook.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIESManage P2P - Research Purchases 45%The Purchasing Specialist will be responsible for managing theprocess, facilitating and executing research purchases with a highlevel of accuracy and customer service. They will partner with thegrant team to ensure purchases are compliant with the proposedfunding source and create documentation to capture existing and newworkflows, provide reports and statistics as directed, and performother duties as required. This person will be trained in grantcompliance and be able to problem-solve within grant regulations.Use Marketplace, Concur and PO system.Manage Purchase Orders & Contracts 45%The Purchasing Specialist will manage the PO and contract processfor research items from beginning to end. Serve as liaison betweenOGC and faculty, tracking and filing all contracts in an organizedand timely manner. Be the expert on the contract and paymentprocesses along with proactively managing contract and paymentprocesses. Negotiate directly with vendors to answer questions,problem solve, set expectations, request and organize requireddocumentation, etc. Educate colleagues and vendors on our processesand timelines and communicate regularly throughout the process tomaintain strong working relationships between the university andexternal vendors.Project Assistance 10%Work with university, college and department staff and faculty onpurchasing projects. Seek improvements to optimize procurementworkflow and best practices. Continue to research initiatives forcost reduction. Performs other miscellaneous tasks asassigned.Position TypeFinanceAdditional InformationNortheastern University considers factors such as candidate workexperience, education and skills when extending an offer.Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefiteligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paidtime off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- aswell as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/for more information.Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seekingto recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty andstaff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all itsforms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respectthat affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receiveconsideration for employment without regard to race, religion,color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disabilitystatus, or any other characteristic protected by applicablelaw.To learn more about Northeastern University's commitment andsupport of diversity and inclusion, please seewww.northeastern.edu/diversity.To apply, visit https://northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/job/Boston-MA-Main-Campus/Purchasing-Specialist_R129069jeid-bdb84a694ec84248b1eec79cf913008c