Job Description

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and resume in PDF format, maximum 2 pages, in the Supporting Documents section of the application.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government.

Position Summary

The Procurement Coordinator supports the acquisition of goods, services, and technologies to meet stakeholder requirements. This is a service-oriented position that requires effective skills in stakeholder facilitation and engagement, problem-solving, buying, negotiation, supplier relationship management, and contract management.

Ideal Candidate Statement

The ideal candidate is motivated to make a meaningful impact within the procurement process by delivering exceptional customer service, implementing new solutions, and achieving results. They enjoy learning new systems and processes while working closely with stakeholders to provide support and training on procurement-related needs. Clear communication and effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders are key to success in this role.

Workplace Requirements

This position is offered as a hybrid role. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Salary

The expected salary range for this position is $55,000, depending on applicable experience and qualifications. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Accounting, or a related discipline. In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted.
• One or more (1+) years of related procurement experience in a buyer or sourcing role.

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with a variety of individuals and personalities at all levels internally and externally.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, listening, and presentation skills.
• Exceptional team member. Must be able to work with a team, take direction, adhere to required work schedules, meet commitments, focus on details, and comply with work rules.
• Strong analytical, organizational, reasoning, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong customer service focus, including a positive attitude and a sense of urgency.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others and maintain confidentiality when appropriate.
• Ability to resolve conflict in a win-win manner.
• Ability to work independently and within an organization to manage tasks and timeline.
• Ability to maintain a measurable high level of performance.
• Self-motivated with the ability to successfully manage multiple tasks, organize and prioritize work to meet strict deadlines, and work with minimal direct supervision.
• Ability to organize, schedule and prioritize workload to meet key milestones and objectives.
• Intermediate proficiency level in MS Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Must be able to perform all essential and marginal functions of the job.

Preferences

• Two or more (2+) years of related procurement experience in a buyer or sourcing role.
• Familiarity with higher education procurement practices and requirements.
• Intermediate proficiency level with Adobe Acrobat, Oracle Fusion Cloud, eSourcing tools.

Essential Functions

• Serve as a procurement liaison to build relationships with campus stakeholders and suppliers
• Advises and assists faculty and staff with the acquisition of goods and services, procurement policies, best practices, processes, and sourcing strategies
• Support end users throughout the full purchasing life-cycle, helping translate campus requirements into effective purchasing solutions
• Resolve PO, invoice, delivery, and pricing discrepancies.
• Supports low- to mid-complexity RFXs for goods, services and technologies
• Evaluates commercial proposals
• May assist or lead supplier negotiations
• Conducts market research to identify new potential suppliers and evaluate market trends.
• Maintains punchouts and pricing catalogs for preferred suppliers
• Ensures commitments are met
• Performs all other duties as assigned