Penn State Looking for Strategic Purchasing Agent 2 Full Time

Job Number: REQ_0000030309

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Finance and Business is a values driven organization that supports thousands of university faculty, staff, and students, while also providing services to the broader community and society. The Office of Procurement Services is part of the Finance and Business team and has a vision to develop and execute sound business and cost effective Purchasing solutions to enable the teaching, research, and service mission of the University. Our guiding values model those of Penn State’s and we are especially committed to our goal of communicating openly, honestly, and respectfully with each other, with our customers, and with our suppliers. We also firmly believe in the value of Respect, which encourages us to “respect and honor the dignity of each person, embrace civil discourse, and foster a diverse and inclusive community.” As an incoming team member in the Office of Procurement Services, it will be expected that all employees embody and model Penn State’s and Finance and Business’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Pennsylvania State University seeks a Strategic Purchasing Agent 2 for the Office of Central Procurement unit within the Finance and Business Division. This position will procure resources in accordance with University polices and government regulations and work collaboratively to analyze spending patterns to leverage buying power, reduce costs, and improve overall purchasing performance by actively negotiating and establishing vendor partnerships. This position serves as liaison with University departments and outside organizations and monitors customer satisfaction. 

The Purchasing Agent prepares documentation including quotes and agreements needed to approve purchase orders up to a designated amount and reviews and processes annual contracts. 

Experience and skills required to be successful in this role:

• Appropriate negotiating skills to achieve optimum price, delivery terms, payment terms, and purchase order terms and deliver best value solutions to the University.

• A high degree of organization and problem-solving skills and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.

• Sound principles of customer satisfaction.

Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree or higher plus four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

University Park, PA

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applications without regards to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.