Procurement Specialist

Job Title

Serves as the point of contact for a specific area of expertise. Provides knowledge and experience of subject matters. Assists with ensuring day to day operations, policies, procedures, and guidelines are followed in particular areas.

Responsibilities

Identifies problems, evaluates facts, and reaches sound decisions/judgments to ensure accountability in procurement and contract practices, including established laws, policies and regulations. Responds positively to internal and external customer requirements; provides training to customers. Acts as liaison between vendors & the University in procurement & contract related matters; monitors vendor performance. Implement and follow the University's Procurement Policy requirement that diverse suppliers must be solicited in all procurement categories.

Analyzes requisitions to ensure specifications are clear & accurate. Performs complex procurement activities including RFP/RFQ processes and approving procurement documents within authority; consults with researcher/faculty/staff to ensure accuracy & fair bid proposal results in accordance with established laws and ethical standards.

Conducts product & strategic sourcing research; analyzes eprocurement data & makes recommendations regarding specific contracting needs, supplier enablements & negotiates improved or new contracts with suppliers.

Monitors applicable regulations to keep apprised of applicable policies, procedures, and laws. Conducts negotiations and develops final purchase order/contract documents; organizes each file to include all documentation that results in a self-explanatory file for audit.

Reviews & provides approval to sole source justification requests in accordance with policies, procedures and state laws; formulates recommendation for sole source approval to supervisor. Prepares high dollar purchase documents for supervisor, executive level and/or Fiscal Review approvals.

Assists in preparation of various reports; attends small & minority business fairs, trade shows, and seminars to develop professional skills; and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business

2 years buying experience, or an equivalent combination of related education and experience

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

About Us

The University of Memphis is a leading, student-centered, urban public R1 research institution. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, on 1,160 acres. The University serves a population of nearly 20,000 students and 2,500 employees, including more than 1,000 full-time faculty members. The University offers bachelor's degrees in more than 230 areas of study, master's degrees in more than 50 subjects and doctoral degrees in 26 disciplines; supported an institutional record of more than $100 million in research awards for FY24; and has an operating budget of close to $500 million.