Buyer

The University of St. Thomas invites qualified candidates to apply for a Buyer position within the department of Purchasing Services.

The anticipated start date for this position is shortly after January 1, 2026.

The University of St. Thomas embraces belonging and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion an inclusive environment.  The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO).  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristic.  This commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.  A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

• Tuition Remission for employees, spouses, and dependents
• Generous Retirement Contributions to support your future
• Comprehensive Health Coverage including medical, dental, and vision
• Fully Paid Insurance: disability, life, and AD&D
• Paid Parental Leave to support growing families

Salary Range: $56,000-$70,000

The University of St. Thomas has provided a salary range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The specific salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for key purchasing functions for the University of St. Thomas. These key functions include vendor and contract management, bidding compliance, process ownership, project management, system administration, and analysis. Internal consulting is critical as this position is responsible for assisting internal departments in utilizing vendor contracts and exploring new supplier contacts and contracts. This position is also responsible for providing input and compliance regarding policy, procedures, and leading methods to ensure solid financial controls and prudent stewardship of university resources. System skills are necessary as the position must develop, utilize, support, train, and/or administer several purchasing systems, including intranet and website, Banner Finance, eProcurement, eBidding, online travel booking, reporting tools, IRS and governmental guidance, Microsoft Office and more.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Vendor and Contract Management

• Work with university departments to utilize preferred, on-contract vendors
• Explore, evaluate and recommend new vendor opportunities to align with needs
• Work with strategic suppliers to integrate on-line services into UST systems
• Consult with departments on contracts
• Perform periodic category reviews including bidding and negotiation to ensure university departments have access to excellent preferred vendors

2. Purchasing Process Ownership and Project Management

• Develop expertise in insurance procurement processes, such as renewal applications, certificates of insurance, and payments
• Responsible for requisition and purchase order processing and bid management
• Cross-trained for vendor set-up and change processes
• Maintains on-going expertise and pursues continuous education on these topics as relates to industry standards and best methods
• Collaborate and coordinate with Accounts Payable (AP), Controller’s Office, IRT and other departments as needed on routine processing and projects
• Responsible for data integrity of document processing and purchasing transactions including year-end procedures

3. System Administration

• Cross-trained for purchasing system administration (trouble shooting, issue documentation and resolution, system testing, user management and training) of multiple purchasing systems including but not limited to; Banner, SciQuest eProcurement, eBidding and Concur Travel Management
• Works with departments on issue resolution and enhancements
• Seek continuous improvement of system usage and effectiveness and communicate best methods with departmental users

4. Analysis of UST Buying Behavior, Processes and Data

• Review, evaluate, recommend and create and/or simplify Purchasing Services processes for the broader university community
• Analyze purchasing opportunities with internal departments, vendors, consortiums to support the selection of vendors and implementation and use of purchasing technology
• Analyze trends in data to recommend changes in vendor management, system usage, bidding and other UST purchasing processes

5. Internal Consulting

• Demonstrate a high level of customer service to internal customers and external vendors representing Purchasing Services, Finance, and Administration’s vision and strategic initiatives in a professional manner
• Respond to customers and vendors via video conferencing, phone, fax, mail, and/or e-mail in an acceptable timely manner
• Uses good judgment and initiative with projects that improve purchasing services, customer service, vendor relations and the welfare of the UST community

6. Communication & Training

• Develop, write and effectively communicate Purchasing Services related content via an e-mail, newsletter, website update, verbally, etc.
• Provide assistance, training and advice to customers on Banner and e-procurement systems with compliance to department and university policies and procedures

7. Supervision

• Supervise and train student workers on purchasing functions

8. Perform additional tasks as assigned by supervisor

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field

• Two years of professional level experience in purchasing or a related field, (i.e., business, accounting, sales, budgeting, etc.)

Any equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills have been acquired may be substituted.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a university or college setting

• Establishing vendor relationships

• Reviewing and negotiating contracts and other purchasing agreements

HOW TO APPLY

All interested candidates must apply online at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/. Follow the instructions to complete an online application which includes creating or updating an applicant profile, uploading a resume, and completing a job specific application.

In light of its commitment to create and maintain a safe learning and working environment, employment with the University of St. Thomas requires consent and successful completion of a background screening.

Official job posting is available at www.stthomas.edu/jobs.