Easter Seals Jobs

Contract & Procurement Specialist

Employees in the Purchasing Services department are primarily remote workers. There are mandatory quarterly in-person staff meetings and occasional mandatory larger CFO division-wide meetings on campus. There may also be the need to meet customers and suppliers on campus. Trips to campus are commuting expenses paid for by the employee.

Commuting expenses for larger CFO division meetings may be covered by the University.

Job Summary

Prepares equipment, service, and software license contracts; identifies contractual requirements and risks; formulates pre-negotiation strategies. Prepares contracts and assists with creating associated contract requirements. Monitors contracts; ensures compliance and negotiates settlements.

Essential Functions

The Procurement Specialist will manage and award a select number of university-wide contracts and commodities/categories. The individual will sign or review and recommend for signature contracts for an assigned set of university departments. The incumbent will also act as the primary liaison to those departments.

Requirements include:

• • Meeting and educating all levels of university personnel, including Deans, Directors, and Department Heads.
• • Evaluating customer needs, identifying and researching relevant information, and making appropriate recommendations for the acquisition of goods and services, especially acquisitions that are large-scale, complex, and/or of a specialized nature.
• • Directly assisting customers to develop purchasing strategies, including identifying opportunities for cost savings as well as improved products/ services, supplier management, and business processes.
• • Analyzing customers' purchasing patterns.
• • Facilitate the development of complete statements of work, ensuring that specifications and requirements for acquisitions are adequately detailed.
• • Working with Payment Processing to resolve any payment issues.
• • Individual must -
  • develop contracts that reduce risk to the University and conform to University standards and requirements
  • demonstrate knowledge of commodity / category
  • effectively manage assigned University-wide contracted suppliers
  • have considerable knowledge of professional procurement practices
  • have excellent judgment, professionalism and tact as necessary when working with suppliers and University administrators
  • be thoroughly familiar with conducting RFP/RFQ processes
  • have technical competency in developing scope of work specifications for functional and performance based requirements
  • have ability to manage a project and to work with others in a team situation
  • have excellent oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills
  • have an ability to manage complex procurement situations
  • be able to develop and implement solutions to meet departmental purchasing needs
  • have the ability to listen, stay in touch with personnel and University departments
  • be able to interface effectively with University departments to resolve issues
  • have the ability to utilize purchasing and general office software (Outlook, Excel, Word, Access)
  • have the ability to understand and use electronic or internet-based procurement systems
  • be able to identify internal purchasing patterns through the use of computer software assisted data analysis and other means and to suggest purchasing and payment strategies across all commodity and service categories.
  • have the ability to manage a program or project
  • be able to plan, define goals, establish strategies to accomplish goals, estimate needed resources, establish timelines, implement plans, and evaluate progress towards goals

Physical Effort

Generally sedentary position. However, meeting in university buildings across campus is required from time to time. Occasional visits and m etings at supplier facilities.

The University of Pittsburgh is committed to championing all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within our community. This commitment is a fundamental value of the University and is crucial in helping us advance our mission, which includes attracting and retaining diverse workforces. We will continue to create and maintain an environment that allows individuals to discover, belong, contribute, and grow, while honoring the experiences, perspectives, and unique identities of all.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EOE, including disability/vets.

Assignment Category: Full-time regular Job Classification: Staff.Contract & Procurement Specialist Job Family: Finance & Procurement Job Sub Family: Procurement & Purchasing Campus: Pittsburgh Minimum Education Level Required: Bachelor's Degree Minimum Years of Experience Required: 3 Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience: Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement. Work Schedule: M-F, flexible work hours, 6:30 am - 5:00 pm, 7.5 hr day, 1 hr lunch (see more detail below regarding mandatory on campus meetings) Work Arrangement: M-F, flexible work hours, 6:30 am - 5:00 pm, 7.5 hr day, 1 hr lunch (see more detail below regarding mandatory on campus meetings) Hiring Range: TBD Based Upon Qualifications Relocation_Offered: Yes Visa Sponsorship Provided: No Background Check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check Child Protection Clearances: Not Applicable Required Documents: Resume, Cover Letter Optional Documents: Not Applicable PI242851792