Senior Purchasing Agent.

Department Information

To apply, please go to: https://cu.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=33617

Who We Are

System Administration, which also houses the Office of the President, is located in the uptown neighborhood of Denver with a few smaller offices located on the campuses. Many of our departments support the educational and research missions of the four University of Colorado campuses, but System Administration is not considered a campus. We provide diverse opportunities for professional development, innovation, and collaboration with talented staff and faculty. Learn more about CU System Administration .

Position Summary: The University of Colorado's (CU or University) Procurement Service Center (PSC) is one of the leading higher education procurement offices in the nation. The PSC supports the entire CU community, which includes four campuses and System Administration, by assisting customers with their purchasing, spend management, procure-to-pay, and travel management responsibilities. The PSC partners with CU constituents and suppliers to provide collaborative, innovative, and leading practices that deliver high quality expertise, significant value, and excellent customer service. Procurement and Sourcing, a unit within the PSC, exists to procure goods and services for the CU community, which includes four campuses and System Administration, from the right source, and at the most reasonable cost possible. Additionally, Procurement and Sourcing assures accountability, integrity, and fairness to the public and business community through the interpretation and application of federal, state, and University procurement rules and regulations.

The Senior Purchasing Agent is responsible for procuring goods and services in a timely manner by specifying delivery from the right source to the right place and at a price consistent with the quality and reliability required by the user. Based on professional experience, knowledge, and using the highest ethical conduct, this position makes procurement decisions for the University community by clarifying requirements, investigating sources of supply, interpreting, and analyzing data and circumstances. This position provides procurement leadership to University departments by guiding them through the procurement process to obtain the best value for CU. Judgment is used in the adaptation and skilled application of guidelines to solve the full range of problems related to each procurement.

This position reports to the Procurement Manager and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified Staff System.

Where You Will Work: This position has been approved for the following work arrangements: Remote, Hybrid, and Onsite.

Onsite – this role is expected to work in the office in City, State. Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule, working some days from home and some days in office. Remote – this role is eligible to work remotely within the United States.

Description Of Job

Duties and Responsibilities:

Procurement of Goods and Services

• Procures services using professional judgment to determine if competition is required. Procures goods and services pursuant to the University’s Procurement Rules on a competitive basis by compiling and refining solicitation specifications, researching and identifying potential sources, and preparing formal solicitation documents.
• Independently determines the most appropriate method of acquiring goods and/or services by examining and evaluating the unique elements of each request: including estimating the value, determining delivery requirements, and researching sources of supply. Accesses and employs the on-line computerized purchasing system and multiple software packages as tools in the procurement process.
• Makes independent judgements of sole source procurements by evaluating and determining the validity of the requestor’s documentation. Assures that the University obtains the best value by negotiating with suppliers. Formulates cost/price analysis based on professional purchasing experience and knowledge.
• Guides campus departments through procurement procedures. Collaborates with campus departments on defining performance measures and award criteria. Interprets and analyzes responses, communicates the results, collaborates with the department on selecting awarded supplier(s), and awards the contract.
• Guides and assures the integrity of all aspects of the solicitation process by researching and developing solicitation documents in collaboration with the requesting department(s). Interprets, explains, clarifies, counsels, and advocates courses of action, and advises the single or multi-campus evaluation committee of options and consequences by employing the University of Colorado Procurement Rules, University Fiscal Rules, Federal Laws and, additionally, the policies/procedures of the various CU campuses as broad guidelines.
• Coordinates with Contract Administrators to negotiate, create and/or amend, contracts with suppliers by interpreting the position of the University on specific terms, nullifying unacceptable terms, proposing alternative terms, and/or writing amendments. Applies professional judgment in the adaptation and skilled application of guidelines to solve the full range of problems related to the assignment. Anticipates and analyzes the impact and consequences of decisions.
  
  

Relationship Management

• Develops and professionally manages effective relationships with suppliers and internal departments.
• Represents the purchasing organization in meetings and/or committees with suppliers, government agencies, professional associations, and other organizations.
• Operates an outreach program with the campus community by meeting with departments to advise them of contracts, policies, and procedures, and to distribute information.
• Disseminates professional purchasing advice to departments and suppliers by interpreting state, federal and University rules, policies, procedures, processes, and financial computer systems.
• Collaborates with PSC management in developing policies, procedures, and guidelines.
  
  

Contract Management

• Independently develops, implements, and administers state and University contracts, agreements, and awards.
• Resolves contract or purchase order conflicts with reference to quality and/or payment discrepancies by using proven, unique, and novel approaches to interpret contract terms and conditions.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or equivalent professional experience (professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis).
• Three (3) years’ professional experience procuring goods and services in a procurement environment or similar business environment.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) years’ professional experience procuring goods and services in a procurement environment or similar business environment.
• Professional experience working with or in government of an institution of higher education.
• Professional procurement certification (e.g., Certified Purchasing Manager, Certified Public Procurement Officer, Certified Professional Public Buyer, Certified Professional Contracts Manager).
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of the business and organizational structure of CU.
• Knowledge of performance measures and contractual concepts, terms, and conditions.
• Knowledge of negotiation methods, strategies, and tactics.
• Oral, written, and listening communication skills, including the ability to accurately interpret what others are saying and convey messages, information, concepts, and details accurately and clearly.
• Computer skills, including the ability to use Microsoft Office programs (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) and learn and experiment with new software and systems.
• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to facilitate interaction, communication, and teamwork between others.
• Negotiation skills, including the ability to listen, establish rapport, solve problems, make decisions, and deal with difficult situations.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to examine and summarize data and trends in order to resolve issues and produce results.
• Organizational skills, including the ability to set and meet goals and deadlines, manage appointments, build schedules, coordinate, and facilitate meetings, and make decisions.
• Creative skills, including the ability to ask questions, generate new ideas, experiment, make observations, and develop connections between disparate concepts.
• Evaluative skills, including the ability to assess information for reliability, validity, and relevance.
• Critical thinking skills, including the ability to identify problems, questions, and assumptions; establish significance; and understand logical connections between ideas.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other University personnel, and the public.
• Ability to balance multiple concurrent and contending tasks and responsibilities and adapt to changing priorities while maintaining personal effectiveness.
• Ability to be cognizant of and address details.
• Ability to deliver a high level of commitment and dedication to customer service.
• Ability to respond to requests in a timely manner.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with team members in-person and remotely.
  
  

Supplemental Information

How To Apply

For full consideration, please attach the following as separate documents to your application by May 27th at https://cu.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=33617 :

• A cover letter identifying the job specific minimum qualifications you possess
• A resume including any and all relevant experience to be accurately assessed against the qualifications listed in the posting.
  
  

Benefits: With our unparalleled range of benefits, including top-notch healthcare, comprehensive wellness programs, enriching professional development, and a dynamic work-life balance, we ensure your holistic growth and happiness.

• No-cost or low-cost medical & dental plan options, some inclusive of IVF assistance.
• Disability, Life, Vision Insurance options.
• Multiple retirement planning options including a mandatory 401(a) plan where CU contributes 10% of your gross pay, a 401k or 403b plan and a 457 deferred compensation plan.
• Pre-tax savings plans, such as Health care and Dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Embrace a healthy work-life balance with ample sick and vacation leave, along with at least 12 paid holidays. This includes a dedicated week off for winter break.
• 4 weeks of parental leave to adjust to the joys of parenthood.
• A tuition benefit program for you and/or your dependents.
• Free RTD EcoPass and Free Onsite Parking at our 1800 Grant Street Office.
• Many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage .
  
  

Additional Taxable Fringe Benefits May Be Available.

For more information on benefits programs, please review our Comprehensive Benefits Guide .

Access our Total Compensation Calculator to see what your total rewards could be at CU. (This position is a University Staff position)