Senior Buyer

Office of Procurement

Exempt, Regular, 100% Full Time, Pay Grade 3.1

Job Location: Stateside, Adelphi, MD, Hybrid (Occasional Travel to Adelphi Required)

Summary:

The Senior Buyer will be responsible for the procurement lifecycle, which includes understanding and identifying business requirements or problems to negotiating and drafting contracts for goods and non-IT services. Key responsibilities include collaborating with departments and its procurement liaisons, assessing the needs of business owners, researching suitable contracting vehicles, drafting and evaluating solicitations and Request(s) for Proposals (RFPs), verifying vendor quoted pricing against contract terms, drafting contract amendments, processing requisitions, and preparing purchase orders and its change orders in Workday's Financial Management module.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Draft Specifications & Vendor Qualification Criteria: Research business owner needs and develop specifications and vendor qualification criteria for solicitations and RFPs to ensure proper procurement, maximize competition, and ensure adherence to the University System of Maryland's Procurement Policies and Procedures.

• Evaluate Proposals & Lead Evaluations: Evaluate proposal responses to solicitations and, when necessary, lead and collaborate with evaluation committees. Recommend awardees and facilitate required approvals from external parties. Conduct debriefings for unsuccessful vendors.

• Process Requisitions & Purchase Orders: Review requisitions submitted by departments daily. Research existing cooperative agreements when needed. Ensure all requisition attachments are processed and collaborate with departments as necessary. Source requisitions to purchase orders and process change orders in Workday to meet departmental procurement needs.

• Assist with Requisition Issues & PO Inquiries: Help resolve requisition issues that may delay PO processing. Assist vendors and departments with PO inquiries and direct invoice inquiries to UMGC Accounts Payable for resolution.

• Contract Research & Price Validation: Research underlying contracts for UMGC purchases, including validating prices. Review submitted price quotes to ensure they align with contractual terms and conditions.

• Draft Contracts & Amendments: Draft contracts and amendments as needed for statements of work, pricing updates, change orders, contract extensions, term renewals, and other contractual changes.

• Manage P-Card & Reconciliation: Oversee the department's purchasing card (P-Card) and perform monthly reconciliations as required.

• Assist the Assistant Director: Provide support to the Assistant Director in day-to-day procurement activities and assist with various procurement-related tasks.

• Perform all other duties as assigned and as needed.

Skills (specific, learned abilities to perform tasks):

• Analytical Skills: Strong ability to research and analyze contract terms and conditions.

• Microsoft Office 365 Proficiency: Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel for documentation and reporting.

• Multi-Tasking & Problem Solving: Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently while addressing challenges and finding solutions.

• Communication Skills: Effective written and verbal communication, with the ability to clearly convey procurement information to internal stakeholders and vendors.

• Customer Service Orientation: Strong customer service skills, with a professional and solution-oriented approach to vendor and department interactions.

• Attention to Detail: Detail-oriented in reviewing contracts, requisitions, and purchase orders to ensure accuracy.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Ability to work well within a team and assist senior procurement staff as needed.

• Organization Skills: Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of procurement tasks with a focus on deadlines and efficiency.

• Innovation & Professionalism: Approaches tasks with creativity and professionalism, while maintaining a high standard of work quality.

Education & Experience Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

• Experience: Five to seven (5-7) years of experience in procurement or a related field.

• Experience in state and local procurement, and higher education is a plus.

• Two (2) years of customer service experience, preferably in higher education. 

• Exceptional customer service skills with both internal and external customers.

• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects effectively.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365.

Preferred Experience Requirements:

Experience:  Familiarity with the Workday Financial Management system is preferred. Knowledge of the University System of Maryland's Procurement Policies and Procedures is a plus.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

This is a hybrid role, offering teleworking options with the requirement to be on-site at Adelphi as needed.

All submissions should include a cover letter and resume.

The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. UMGC 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, ancestry, political affiliation or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Workplace Accommodations:

The University of Maryland Global Campus Global Campus (UMGC) is committed to creating and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive working environment for people of all abilities. UMGC is dedicated to the principle that no qualified individual with a disability shall, based on disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of the University, or be subjected to discrimination. For information about UMGC's Reasonable Workplace Accommodation Policy or to request an accommodation, applicants/candidates can contact Employee Accommodations via email at employee-accommodations@umgc.edu. 

Benefits Package Highlights:

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 days of paid vacation, 15 days of sick leave, 3 personal days, and 15 paid holidays (16 during general election years). For part-time employees, time off rates will be prorated based on the number of hours worked.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access to health care, medical with vision, dental, and prescription plans for both individuals and families, effective from the 1st of the month following your hire date.
• Insurance Options: Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, and Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance. Part-time employees working less than 0.5 FTE are not eligible for LTD.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Available for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Retirement Plans: Choose between the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) or the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (MSRPS).
• Supplemental Retirement Plans: include 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and various Roth options. The university does not provide matching funds.
• Tuition Remission: Immediate availability for Regular Exempt Staff. Spouses and dependent children are eligible for undergraduate tuition remission after two years of service. NOTE: For part-time employees (at least 50 percent of the time), tuition remission benefits are prorated.

Hiring Range: