Athletics Purchasing Professional

The Purchasing Professional evaluates purchase requisitions for appropriateness, content and clarity; writes and solicits proposals; formulates specifications for complex and unique items for large-scale purchases, and determines suppliers to be solicited for requests for information, proposals and quotations (RFIs, RFPs and RFQs). This position conducts public bid openings, prepares and evaluates bid analyses, and approves the selected vendor. The Purchasing Professional manages supplier relationships and monitors supplier performance for assigned commodities; negotiates prices, terms, and conditions with suppliers; and writes, approves, issues, and administers purchase orders for the University.

The Purchasing Professional is responsible for sourcing suppliers by selecting the appropriate procurement methodology (such as strategic contracts, bid solicitations, sole source) in alignment with Purchasing Department and University business policies and procedures. The Purchasing Professional assesses supplier health and outlook utilizing performance measurement tools and decision modeling practices. The Purchasing Professional also partners with MSU legal and risk management offices when negotiating supplier contracts and agreements. This role is responsible for compliance management and risk mitigation measures when assessing suppliers. The above are accomplished through periodic business reviews to ensure that both technical needs and regulatory requirements are met.

Communication, collaboration, and interaction are frequent with Purchasing Department management, Intercollegiate Athletics staff, and current/potential suppliers. Through these relationships, the Purchasing Professional remains informed of Purchasing Department objectives and effectively implements service to Intercollegiate Athletics, the end user. This position actively promotes the Purchasing Department diversity/inclusion and sustainability programs. Interaction with the accounts payable/invoice audit unit occurs to consult and resolve invoice discrepancies. The Purchasing Professional may be expected to support non-athletic commodity purchasing as well.