Senior Departmental Buyer

Company: University of Texas at Austin
Location: Austin
Posted on: March 20, 2025

Job Description:

Job Posting Title:Senior Departmental Buyer----Hiring Department:Business and Financial Services----Position Open To:All Applicants----Weekly Scheduled Hours:40----FLSA Status:Exempt----Earliest Start Date:Immediately----Position Duration:Expected to Continue----Location:UT MAIN CAMPUS----Job Details:General NotesYour skills will make a difference.The University of Texas at Austin Business and Financial Services Procurement team is seeking a candidate with experience in sourcing goods and services to support departmental units/customers. The ideal candidate will have a customer service mindset focused on continuous improvement. Responsibilities include reviewing and approving purchasing requisitions, drafting and negotiating contracts and purchase orders, and overseeing the entire procurement process. The selected individual will maintain direct communication with campus clients and suppliers, ensuring proactive involvement throughout. Important skills for this position include efficient problem-solving, effective communication, integrity, teamwork, and a positive attitude.You'll be working for a university that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. Your work will make a difference in the lives of university staff, thereby enhancing the student experience. If you're the type of person that wants to know your work has meaning and impact, you'll like working in our department and for UT Austin. UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas: a defined benefit retirement plan
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID cardFor more details, please see: and .Must be authorized to work in the United States on an ongoing, full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship.PurposeThe Senior Buyer will support various BFS units/customers by executing purchasing duties in accordance with The University Handbook of Business Procedures, state rules, and regulations. Responsibilities include processing requisitions, securing bids, making awards for routine purchases, developing and maintaining vendor relationships, and communicating purchasing details and updates with customers and vendors. The role also involves following up on the receipt of materials and supplies, ensuring deliveries meet expectations, and performing other related duties. The candidate must stay current with changes to HBP 7.ResponsibilitiesPurchasing
  • Work with clients to create and finalize all procurement methods available to purchase goods and services, including utilizing pre-established contracts, including Group Purchasing Organizations and cooperative agreements that may provide the best value to the University. The position will create, issue, and manage the entire procurement process from issuance of the solicitation through execution of purchase order or contract, and including the post award contract life cycle.
  • Ensure compliance with all procurement requirements, which apply to The University of Texas at Austin.
  • Provide expert guidance and consultation to all areas including internal and external customers regarding procurement and opportunities.
  • Stay updated on developments in the procurement field by participating in professional development. Build and maintain relationships with suppliers to stay informed about market trends. Keep a working knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies or procedures. Engage actively in assigned committees and meetings within the Business and Financial Services department..
  • Ensure the proactive engagement and creation for maximum opportunity for Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) and Federal Small Business (SB) firms.Effective Communication
    • Communicates with supervisor to maintain timely and accurate work processes.
    • Provides timely and effective communication to customers, suppliers, and co-workers.
    • Replies to emails promptly and professionally.
    • Proactively meets with customers and employees to understand business needs and mitigate issues. Promptly notifies appropriate personnel about any issues or pending problems.
    • Provides professional purchasing guidance to customers when necessary.Administrative Duties
      • Takes initiative to learn new processes and proposes process changes and/or improvements.
      • Displays strong organizational and time management skills.
      • Maintains punctuality and minimizes unplanned absences.
      • Maintains State Purchasing Certification.
      • Performs other duties, including special assignments, as required.Required Qualifications
        • High school diploma or GED and five years of experience in the preparation of contracts and related documents OR Bachelors degree and one year of experience in the preparation of contracts and related documents.
        • One year experience with the State of Texas procurement process.
        • Working knowledge of contract documents (plans, specifications).
        • Minimum of one (1) professional purchasing certification must be attained within twelve-month period of appointment to the position. Once attained, certification must be maintained active.
        • Experience using Excel, Microsoft Word, and eprocurement software.
        • Excellent communication, collaboration and organizational skills, with an ability to manage multiple simultaneous activities in a diverse and complex environment.Certification in the following areas shall be acceptable:
          • Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD)
          • Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM)Preferred Qualifications
            • Four or more years of experience in State of Texas, Higher Ed procurement process.
            • Advanced Work skills including merging, formatting styles, templates and Excel linked workbooks.
            • Experience managing solicitations in a higher education setting as the procurement lead.Salary Range$60,000 + depending on qualificationsWorking Conditions
              • This position is currently remote but may require occasional visits to campus. Please note that work arrangements are subject to change based on university policy.
              • Standard UT schedule, Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.Required Materials
                • Resume/CV
                • 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
                • Letter of interestImportantfor applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers:You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.Important for Current university employees and contingent workers:As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questionspresented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.----Employment Eligibility:Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.----Retirement Plan Eligibility:The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.----Background Checks:A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.----Equal Opportunity Employer:The University of Texas at Austin, as an ,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.----Pay Transparency:The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.----Employment Eligibility Verification:If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.----E-Verify:The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
                  • [PDF]
                  • [PDF]
                  • [PDF]
                  • [PDF]----Compliance:Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in .The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

Keywords: University of Texas at Austin, Austin , Senior Departmental Buyer, Other , Austin, Texas