Purchasing Specialist

Are you ready to make an impact? At North Carolina Central University ( NCCU), we are more than an institution-we are a community rooted in a legacy of excellence and transformation. A historically Black university located in Durham, North Carolina, also known as 'The City of Medicine,' NCCU has been a cornerstone of education since 1910, fostering innovation and progress.

Join our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and exclusive perks designed to support your work-life balance. At NCCU, your professional growth will be nurtured, and your contributions will help shape the future for our students and the community we serve. Become part of a legacy that drives change and achievement.

An opportunity awaits you at NCCU, where your purpose can take flight.
Visit NCCU.edu.

The University Procurement Department is a service unit within the Division of Administration & Finance, reporting to the Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor for University Budget & Financial Planning. The Procurement Department administers the procurement function for the University. The unit is staffed by a team of professional, experienced, and dedicated employees.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide support of procuring and contract administration in accordance with the State of North Carolina Procurement Laws and Regulations, and University Policies and Procedures.

Professional Knowledge: Possession of professional skill and/or knowledge of large scale purchasing, laws, policies, regulations, practices, and purchasing methods and procedures, general knowledge of accounting principles and methods in relation to purchasing. Knowledge of applicable sources, prices, market factors and product characteristics of various commodities and/or services.
Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of a variety of technology, financial systems, and software packages to create and maintain data. Knowledge of technology principles and terminology associated with the work unit and area of responsibility. Working knowledge of technologies and systems in place with the capability of supporting these technologies. Technical Support: Ability to troubleshoot standard/common operating systems and software/hardware issues. Ability to listen to symptom descriptions to analyze problems and to resolve effectively. Ability to communicate technical information in an understandable way to non-technical users.
Planning and Organization: Ability to implement established rules and regulation, review work for compliance to standards, and propose procedural changes and/or policy revisions. Research emerging technologies associated with supported systems.
Coordination of Work Flow: Determine and execute work flow for purchasing process; collect and review purchasing information; monitor and apply procedures. Prepare and maintain records.
Customer Service/Communication: Ability to determine customer needs and effectively communicate back to internal and external stakeholders. Develop and maintain strong relationships with departmental personnel, vendors and other customers/clients both orally and in writing. Support and encourage improved customer service behavior. Attends training sessions, holds meetings and informs customers of new procedures, contract changes. Provide input to improve communications with customers.
Problem Solving: Ability to resolve problems of moderate complexity. Ability to select best solution from several options or where no precedent exists. Ability to make suggestions for and/or implement process improvements in the work unit. Ability to interpret oral and/or written guidelines to solve problems.
Project Management: Ability to establish working relationships with others and provide communication of activities. Ability to manage technical projects involving own work and under minimal supervision. Demonstrates initiative in solving problems associated with projects and daily work.

Bachelor's degree; or Associate's degree and two years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

N/A

North Carolina Central University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

This position prepares bid specifications and other necessary documents related to the purchasing of wide variety of supplies, equipment, and materials. Solicit bids from vendors for purchases within limits established by University Policy, University of North Carolina System, North Carolina General Statute and North Carolina Administrative Code; compare costs and evaluate the quality and suitability of supplies, materials, and equipment. Evaluates bids and vendor capabilities for completeness and accuracy; including gathering statistical, cost, performance, delivery schedules, and other pertinent data. Attend, participate, and lead pre-bid conferences and meetings as assigned; facilitate information exchange with vendors and departments. Conduct product research and schedules demonstrations for testing to determine the technical specifications suitable to meet the using department needs. Obtain competitive sealed proposals, bids and quotations, ensuring all required are included in procurement. Advise and assist University departments in purchasing procedures; assist in preparing specifications and scope of work. Prepare contract modifications.
Receive, examine, and process requisitions; process requisitions by reviewing the requisition, supporting documentation, and issuing a purchase order. Modifies purchase orders; coordinate delivery schedules, track shipments; and if necessary, expedite priority or emergency orders; ensure that purchase items are correctly received, and initiates corrective action in case of damaged or unsuitable items.
Plans and provides procurement training for the University Department End-Users. Generates reports.
Assistant Program Manager of the Procurement Card Program; add, suspend or cancel cards, change card controls, and other related duties to the Procurement Card Program.
Other duties include, but not limited to, supporting the Procurement Team by consulting with Legal Affairs on contract-related matters. Performs reporting duties related to emergency, sole-source, single-source, HUB/ WMBE, and other duties when necessary.

Ability to determine and execute workflow for purchasing process, collect and review purchasing information, and monitor and apply procedures. Ability to prepare and maintain records in a highly organized manner. Knowledge of and experience using SciQuest/Jagger, Ellucian Banner, and NC Interactive Purchasing System ( IPS) is desirable. Liaison between Purchasing & the campus community to teach and administer University credit and gas cards. Update Purchasing Website.
Generate HUB reports quarterly and work on Banner 9.

Ability to develop strong relationships with departmental personnel, vendors and other customers/clients both orally and in writing. Ability to manage negotiations between vendors and internal customers/clients. Ability to support and encourage improved customer service behavior. Ability to attend training sessions, hold meetings, and inform customers of new procedures and contract changes. Ability to provide input to improve communications with customers.

Employee Benefits available to NCCU permanent employees include the following and more: