Purchasing Specialist

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Posting Details

Position Information

Position/Classification Title Purchasing Specialist Working Title Purchasing Specialist Competency Level Journey Position Number 101559 Salary Grade Equivalent 69 FLSA Non-Exempt Appointment Type Permanent - Full Time FTE 1 = 40 hours/week, 12 months If time limited, duration date Department Hiring Range $34,116 - $70,000 EEO-1 Category Professionals SOC Code 13-1023 - Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Position Overview

Be an Eagle - Where Purpose Takes Flight!

Are you ready to make an impact? At North Carolina Central University (NCCU), we are more than an institution—we are a community rooted in a legacy of excellence and transformation. A historically Black university located in Durham, North Carolina, also known as ‘The City of Medicine,’ NCCU has been a cornerstone of education since 1910, fostering innovation and progress.

Join our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and exclusive perks designed to support your work-life balance. At NCCU, your professional growth will be nurtured, and your contributions will help shape the future for our students and the community we serve. Become part of a legacy that drives change and achievement.

An opportunity awaits you at NCCU, where your purpose can take flight.

Visit NCCU.edu .

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

The University Procurement Department provides direction over the entire procurement activities within North Carolina Central University, including purchasing and administration of the procurement card. Manages all procedural aspects of purchasing activities within State and Federal Laws, North Carolina Division of Purchase and Contract Rules and Regulations, Agency/University Policy and Procedures. Communicates with internal and external customers, clients and suppliers; negotiates between parties; verifies availability of funds, advises management on proper allocation of funds, etc.

Primary Purpose of Position

The position is responsible for acquiring goods and services for the University. Within the Procurement Services Department, the Procurement Specialist/Purchasing Specialist is expected to interface with department personnel and other administrators at the University to ensure that the University’s needs and requirements are attained.

This position assists in administering and managing the University Procurement Card Program. This position is responsible for soliciting and obtaining completive sealed proposals, bids and quotations, ensuring all required are included in procurement. Advise and assist University departments in purchasing procedures; assist in preparing specifications and scope of work; prepare contract modifications. This position is responsible for establishing and managing vendor relationships through Strategic Contracts and Master Service Agreements. These efforts must be compliant with all appropriate State of North Carolina, University and/or Federal policies, provide internal customer support, category spend management, and vendor management.

This position is responsible for evaluating requisitions for completeness, and taking appropriate actions for effective, ethical and timely procurement of products and services for the University.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Technical Knowledge

• Knowledge of procurement card financial services software, desirable Bank of America Works program.
• Knowledge desirable in eProcurement required system (preferably Jaggaer/SciQuest)
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Purchasing – In dept knowledge of procurement principles, ethics and standards as it pertains to the State of North Carolina State or other State Government rules and regulations, to assist customers in acquiring goods/services. The procurement agent/specialist will be responsible for driving quality, delivery, supplier management, and pricing improvements to meet the goals of the organization and the needs of customers.

Decision Making and/or Problem Solving

• Assess, identify/evaluate options for resolution(s) (if applicable) as it pertains to procuring goods/services and procurement card requests.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Communication And Interpersonal Skills

• Strong skillset to communicate (written and verbal) and interact successfully with diverse people, professionally both individually and in team environments.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Additional Skills

• Ability to take an idea or set of instructions and convey them to individuals or groups in a manner that is comprehensible, but in a manner that (whether using verbal and non-verbal messaging), that leads to building strong professional relationships.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook. Knowledge desirable in Adobe Pro; Visio, Microsoft Teams.
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills (i.e. memos, letters)
• Comfort level with public speaking (i.e. presentations)
• Ability to facilitate training (i.e. staff and faculty) at all levels within the University and with suppliers.
• Ability to work independently and as part of diverse teams (i.e. departmental and project)
• Strong interpersonal skills to conduct business with professionalism and diplomacy at levels.
• Ability to adhere to deadlines and multi-tasking to complete daily duties and projects.
• Procurement Card – Working knowledge of higher education or governmental procurement card program policies and procedures to coordinate, implement, and administer the University’s Purchasing Card (P-Card) Program. Working knowledge as an administrator to use procurement card financial services software (preferably Bank of America Works to create accounts, profiles, review transactions, etc. Serve as the primary interface between the University and card users regarding the use of the card, changes in policy, emerging technology and other issues.Vendor Management – In dept knowledge of procurement principles, ethics and standards as it pertains to the State of North Carolina State or other State Government rules and regulations, to assist customers in acquiring goods/services. The procurement agent/specialist will be responsible for developing and managing the relationships with suppliers.
• Vendor Management – In dept knowledge of procurement principles, ethics and standards as it pertains to the State of North Carolina State or other State Government rules and regulations, to assist customers in acquiring goods/services. The procurement agent/specialist will be responsible for developing and managing the relationships with suppliers.

Minimum Education/Experience

Bachelor’s degree; or Associate’s degree and two years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Licenses or Certification required by Statute or Regulation

Professional Procurement Certification desirable (i.e. CLGPO, CPPB, CPPO, CPM)

Equal Opportunity Employer

North Carolina Central University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

Work Hours Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM Position required to work during periods of adverse weather or other emergencies No Campus Security Authority Designated Position No

Key Responsibilities and Related Competencies

Required Competency Knowledge - Technical Duties

• Place orders for both products and services from external suppliers
• Manages assigned suppliers/vendors and the respective purchasing priorities including but not limited to – assist customers in writing scope of work/specifications, submits purchase orders using an electronic purchasing system (Jaggaer – formerly SciQuest).
• Negotiates pricing and contracts with new and incumbent suppliers/vendors
• Identifies the appropriate method of solicitation and creates, executes and manages Request for Quotations (RFQs), Invitation for Bids (IFBs), and Request for Proposals (RFPs) process.
• Recommends new suppliers to do business with organization
• Expedites orders that are needed to better align with customer expectations and requirements
• Performs root cause analysis on defective or unacceptable goods or services with inspection or quality control personnel, vendors, and others to determine source and take corrective action
• Communicates with and work closely with assigned departments
• Develops personal annual objectives and goals in concert with departmental and university goals
• Responsible for reporting on all assigned metrics and KPI’s
• Develops action plans, standard work, and countermeasures as needed to support the metrics and KPI’s
• Responsible for maintaining up to date files (i.e. solicitation, contract)
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Competency Knowledge - Professional Duties

• Handles cardholder inquiries in a timely manner.
• Creates cardholder accounts
• Monitors and tracks P-Card transactions utilizing computer software.
• Informs customers in writing of P-Card usage violations and maintains records of violations
• Assists in creating/revising University P-Card policies and procedures.
• Assist in implementing policy changes as needed and communicates changes to customers and vendors.
• Educates customers on proper use of P-Card, policy information, and changes to procedures.
• Assists in designing and delivering training programs to card users on procurement card processes and procedures.
• Conducts random reviews of cardholder statements, receipts and other documents to ensure compliance with University, State, and Federal policies and procedures.
• Responsible for cancellation of cards immediately upon receipt of information from HR, payroll, or other source(s).
• Processes information required to maintain organizational reporting and authorization hierarchy as required by the program.
• Provide customer support to cardmembers dealing with charge and credit discrepancies.
• Serves as liaison to University for all P-Card matters.
• Develop, track and report program progress against goals to Procurement Services Director.
• Reviews and analyzes card user and organizational data and prepares usage reports.
• Performs daily review of card transactions to ensure compliance with University, State, and Federal policies, and procedures.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Competency Professional Knowledge Duties

• Develops relationships with suppliers to enable the organization to build strategic partnerships with key suppliers – Supports cost, lead-time and quality improvement initiatives with key suppliers
• Manages assigned supplier’s spend, category spend and negotiates favorable payment terms and methods to improve working capital
• Key point of contact between supplier/vendor and factory
• Works effectively with suppliers/vendors to help minimize costs and improve lead times

Required Competency Other Duties as Assigned Duties

Other duties as assigned.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number SPA01453P Open Date 02/26/2026 Close Date 03/08/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Unofficial Transcripts (official required from selected candidate)

Optional Documents

• DD-214 (Veterans Only)
• Letter of Recommendation 1
• Letter of Recommendation 2
• NGB23A or NGB22/DD256 (National Guard Only)
• Licenses and/or Certification required by Statute or Regulation

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).