How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
Procurement Services has an exciting opportunity for an Intermediate Procurement Agent. This position is part of the technology commodity team. The scope of this category is significant, with a large university-wide impact, responsible for preparing and awarding Request for Quotations (RFQ), Requests for Proposals (RFP) and negotiating contract terms. Candidates for this position must be experienced working in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects concurrently.
Procurement Services seeks to deliver services that power change through expertise, innovation, and relationships, so the university can focus on what it does best: making the world a better place. Moving past "best" to become what's Next.
Responsibilities*
The selected candidate will:
- Evaluate and process procurement requests, examining the request for clarity, appropriateness of purchase, bid specifications, and compliance with university policies and procedures.
- Determine customer expectations and develop timelines that satisfy the purchase requirements; clarify Scope of Work documents.
- Prepare and administer Request for Quotations/Proposals ensuring that specifications and deliverables meet the customer needs and business model. Assist with evaluation and supplier selection and make the awards following the proper procurement process.
- Negotiate favorable commercial terms and conditions.
- Process requests as required for purchase orders, negotiating favorable pricing and delivery following established University protocols and procedures.
- Effectively communicate all contractual requirements and procurement policies and procedures to university faculty, staff and external suppliers.
- Lead the management of the supplier relationships
- Coordinate marketing for promoting new awards and benefits to university community
- As applicable implement post award measures of supplier contract performance
Work closely with the procurement supervisor and other procurement leadership to develop and implement procurement initiatives that improve procurement processes, increase contract compliance, and reduce purchase and invoice transactions.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management or related field or equivalent experience
- 3 - 5 years relevant progressive purchasing experience
- Strong contracting and negotiation skills
- Excellent customer service and communication skills in both written and verbal formats
- Ability to follow through with commitments, and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and diplomatically with all levels of an organization
- Proficient ability to use the Microsoft Office and Google suites and other hardware/software as needed
- Demonstrated organizational and analytical skills
- Proven research and problem solving skills necessary
Strong candidates will have prior purchasing experience with a concentration of skills in leading sourcing projects, the negotiation of contract terms and conditions as well as in supplier management, development of RFP/RFQ specifications.
Modes of Work
The work requirements allow for the majority or all of the work to be completed offsite. On occasion, the employee may be required and must be available to work onsite if necessitated by unit leadership or their designee and/or the job requirements, but is not generally scheduled on a recurring basis.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.