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Purchasing Agent

Employer
University of Colorado System Administration
Location
Denver, CO

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Jobs Outside Higher Education
Government Agencies
Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

Job Details

DescriptionThe University of Colorado's (CU) Procurement Service Center (PSC) is a nationally recognized procurement office dedicated to using technology to enhance the university's programs and create efficiencies within policies. PSC supports the entire CU community, which includes four campuses plus system administration. CU is a public research university serving Colorado, the nation and the world through leadership in high-quality and professional training, public service, advancing research and knowledge and leading-edge health care.

Position Summary:
This work unit exists to procure for the university community, which includes four campuses and system administration, the goods and services that are needed, when they are needed, from the right source and at the most reasonable cost, while interpreting and applying federal, state, and university rules and regulations to assure accountability and integrity to the public and fairness to the business community.

The Purchasing Agent procures 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, while interpreting and analyzing data and circumstances. The successful candidate is an effective communicator committed to delivering the highest quality customer service. The Purchasing Agent provides procurement leadership to university departments by guiding them through the procurement process in order to obtain the best value for the university. 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 Purchasing Services Manager, and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified Staff system. 
Duties and Responsibilities:
Duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:
45% - Procures services
  • Uses 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.
  • Guides campus departments through procurement procedures.
  • Collaborates with campus departments on solicitation creation including requirements and appropriate award criteria.
  • Interprets and analyzes responses, communicates the results, and collaborates with the department on selecting awarded supplier(s) and awards the contract.
  • Guides and assures the integrity of all aspects of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process by research and developing the RFP documents in collaboration with the requesting department(s).
  • Interprets, explains, enforces, 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, State Fiscal Rules, Federal Laws and additionally, the policies/procedures of the various CU campuses as broad guidelines.
  • Coordinates with Contract Administrator to negotiate, create and/or amend, contracts with suppliers by interpreting the position of the University and State of Colorado on specific terms, nullifying unacceptable terms, proposing alternative terms, and/or writing amendments.
  • Utilizes 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.
20% - Independently determines the most appropriate method of acquiring goods and/or services by examining and evaluating the unique elements of each request which includes:
    • Estimating the value
    • Determining delivery requirements
    • Researching sources of supply
  • Accesses and employs the on-line computerized purchasing system and multiple software packages as tools in the procurement process.
20% - Develops and professionally manages effective relationships with suppliers and internal departments by delivering high quality service and accurate information.
  • 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 visiting 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.
  • May develop, implement and administer university contracts, agreements, and awards.
  • Collaborates with PSC management in developing policies, procedures, and guidelines.
10% - Resolves contract or purchase order conflicts with reference to quality and/or payment discrepancies by using proven, as well as, unique and novel approaches to interpret contract terms and conditions.
5% - 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.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
To be successful in this position, candidates will need the following:
  • Knowledge of performance measures and standard contract terms and conditions.
  • Ability and skilled in utilizing Microsoft Office suite.
  • Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other University personnel, and the public.
  • Ability to work under stressful conditions and to successfully handle stressful situations efficiently and effectively.
  • Ability to meet critical deadlines.
  • Ability to work independently and under pressure, to manage multiple concurrent tasks and responsibilities, and to deal with changing priorities, while maintaining personal effectiveness.
  • Excellent communication skills including excellent writing skills.
  • Strong relationship and interpersonal skills, be very detail oriented, have strong organizational and time management skills.
Who we are: System Administration, which also houses the Office of the President, is located in the uptown neighborhood of Denver with an office in Broomfield and a few smaller offices located on the campuses. However, this position is located in Denver. Many of our departments support the educational and research missions of the four University of Colorado campuses. We provide diverse opportunities for professional development, innovation, and collaboration with talented staff and faculty. 
What we offer: 
Salary: The salary has been established at $55,000. 
Benefits: The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:
  • Medical: Multiple plan options
  • Dental: Multiple plan options
  • Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision and Wellness 
  • Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
  • Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
    • Vacation Days: 22
    • Sick Days: 15
    • Holiday Days: 10
  • Tuition Benefit: System employees have the benefit on all campuses 
  • ECO Pass: RTD Bus and light rail service
  • Additional Perks & Programs: Click here to access a few more perks and programs. 
Click here to access our Total Compensation Calculator to see what your total rewards could be at CU. This position is a University Staff position.


For more information on benefits programs, including eligibility, is available at www.cu.edu/employee-services/.



QualificationsMinimum Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree from accredited institution of higher education or equivalent professional experience (the educational requirement may be substituted for professional experience on a year for year basis).
  • Two (2) years of professional experience procuring goods and services.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Professional experience in a higher education institution or other public procurement organization
  • Professional procurement certification such as CPSM or CPPB


Job Category: Business Services
Primary Location: Denver
Schedule: Full-time
Posting Date: May 24, 2019
Unposting Date: Ongoing

Organization

Read our Diversity Profile The University of Colorado is the third largest employer in the state of Colorado and plays a profound role in the lives of individuals, businesses and communities throughout the state, across the country and around the world. Nearly 500,000 alumni lead the way in business, science, the arts, health care and their communities, and they’re joined by some 15,000 more each year.UC aerial view

Founded in 1876, the University of Colorado now includes four campuses: CU BoulderCU Denver, CU Colorado Springs and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The University of Colorado is recognized as a national leader in teaching and research excellence, with campuses offering more than 300 unique degree programs.

University of Colorado campuses are consistently ranked nationally and regionally by U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Colleges Rankings. A total of 14,479 degrees in were awarded in 2015-16 and the total enrollment among CU’s four campuses during the fall 2016 semester was 63,202.

UC buffaloIn FY 2015-16, CU garnered $924 million in sponsored research awards, which support research related capital improvements, scientific equipment and salaries for research and support staff. In the past year alone, CU Technology Transfer registered 275 invention disclosures, 112 new patent filings and 193 follow-on filings. Five new companies were formed based on CU technology.

 

Our outstanding staff and faculty make us who we are. Notable honors and awards received include:  

  • Five Nobel Laureates
  • One Pulitzer Prize recipient
  • Nine MacArthur fellows
  • Twenty-four recipients of the Hazel Barnes Prize
  • Two Carnegie Foundation Professor of the Year honorees

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