"Procurement Officer"

Position Overview

The Procurement Officer supports the University of Kansas by coordinating purchasing activities for (a) scientific equipment and consumables (approximately 50% of the portfolio) and (b) a broad range of other university goods and services excluding IT categories (approximately 50%). This role assists with sourcing, competitive bidding, supplier communication, contract coordination, and procurement compliance across assigned categories.

The Procurement Officer works closely with campus stakeholders--including research labs, academic departments, administrative units, and central operations--to ensure timely, compliant, and cost-effective purchasing. This position supports the development of sourcing strategies, conducts market research, and helps evaluate supplier proposals under the guidance of senior procurement staff.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, customer-focused, and comfortable managing multiple requests in a fast-paced environment. They will collaborate with stakeholders to clarify requirements, support informed purchasing decisions, and help drive value for the university.

Due to complex state employment laws, the University of Kansas may be unable to hire fully remote workers for this position outside of Kansas. Specifically, we cannot currently offer employment to candidates residing in the following states: California, Delaware, Idaho & Minnesota. We appreciate your understanding and invite interested individuals from eligible states to apply.

Job Description

40% - Procurement Execution & Sourcing Support

• Assist with sourcing scientific equipment, laboratory instruments, research consumables, and related supplies.
• Support competitive bidding activities (RFQs, informal bids, supplier quote evaluations).
• Conduct basic market research to compare pricing, product specifications, and supplier capabilities.
• Coordinate with suppliers to obtain quotes, product information, and lead-time details.
• Help identify cost-saving opportunities and value-added alternatives.
• Maintain accurate procurement documentation in accordance with university policies.

25% - Contract Coordination & Supplier Interaction

• Draft contracts, renewals, and amendments with limited guidance from procurement leadership.
• Review supplier terms for alignment with KU policies and escalate issues as needed.
• Support supplier relationship management by monitoring performance concerns and facilitating communication.
• Track contract expirations and coordinate with stakeholders to ensure timely renewals or re-bids.

20% - Stakeholder Support & Customer Service

• Serve as a procurement resource for research labs, academic departments, and administrative units.
• Help stakeholders understand procurement processes, requirements, and best practices.
• Clarify purchasing needs and ensure requests are routed appropriately.
• Support cross-functional collaboration to streamline purchasing and reduce delays.

15% - Compliance, Policy Adherence & Process Improvement

• Ensure purchases comply with university procurement policies and state regulations
• Maintain accurate records and documentation for audit readiness.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement workflows and recommend enhancements.
• Participate in training and professional development to strengthen procurement knowledge.

Position Requirements

1. Occasional day travel for mandatory in-person training workshops in Lawrence, KS 2-3 times per year and one (1) regional procurement conferences that is 2-3 nights annually.

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of related experience OR Associates degree and seven (7) years of related experience OR high school diploma/GED and ten (10) years of related experience.
2. Experience working in a customer-service-oriented environment as demonstrated in application materials.
3. Experience that required managing multiple tasks, prioritizing work, and meeting deadlines as evidenced in application materials.
4. Strong written communication and experience that required relationship-building with internal and external stakeholders as shown in application materials.
5. Experience with procurement principles, competitive bidding, or supplier management as evidenced in application materials.
6. Experience using enterprise procurement systems, ERP tools, or purchasing platforms as shown in application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, or related field.
2. Experience purchasing scientific equipment, laboratory supplies, or research consumables as evidenced in application materials.
3. Experience in higher education, government, or public-sector procurement as shown in application materials.
4. Professional certification (e.g., CPSD, CPSM, CPPB, or equivalent).

Contact Information to Applicants

Melanie Ekeland, Associate Chief Procurement Officer
Melanie.ekeland@ku.edu

Additional Candidate Instruction

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume.
• List of three (3) professional references.

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins Monday, February 9, 2026 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.

Advertised Salary Range

$71,000-$85,000 commensurate with experience

Application Review Begins

09-Feb-2026

Anticipated Start Date

01-Mar-2026

Primary Campus

University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

FTE

1.0

Reg/Temp

Regular

FLSA Status

Administrative

Employee Class

U-Unclassified Professional Staff

Work Location Assignment

Telework