Purchasing Manager

Title: Purchasing Manager

Employee Classification: Professional 52 Wks Non-Unit

Department: Purchasing

Salary Range: $67,569 minimum salary

Who we are:

We are not-for-profit: St. Louis Community college (STLCC) is a non-profit institution dedicated to empowering students, expanding minds, and changing lives. Employees are committed to strengthening the St. Louis community with inclusive and transformative education.

We are a respected employer: For 60 years, STLCC has served the St. Louis community, expanding to 4 main campuses, 2 education centers, 2 workforce training centers, and 5 centers of excellence. More than one-half of the households in St. Louis have at least one member who has taken classes at STLCC.

We make an impact in the community: Through credit courses, continuing education, and workforce development programs, STLCC annually serves nearly 69,000 students. More than 80% of career and technical graduates employed in their fields or continue their education at four-year institutions within six months of graduation. STLCC sends more transfer students to Missouri's four-year colleges/universities than anyone else.

We value Diversity, equity & inclusion: STLCC is committed to fostering an atmosphere of appreciation for all people, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or class.

What you get:

Benefits package [for full-time employees]: STLCC offers one of the best benefit packages in the St. Louis area. As a STLCC employee you will have access to a 100% match on your contribution to retirement, two health insurance plans options that are no cost to the employee - including an HSA option, low-cost life insurance with a 3x salary benefit, and other low-cost benefits including dental, vision, AD&D, ST LT disability insurance.

Opportunity to grow: Over half of our employees have served the college for more than 12 years, exploring different career paths and advancing to higher level positions.

Education & training opportunities: STLCC offers tuition waivers for employees [full-time and part-time] + their dependents. Full-time employees can take advantage of tuition reimbursement for other institutions after just 6 months of service, and an annual professional development allotment.

Work/life balance: Full-time STLCC employees have access to a generous time off package, including holidays, vacation, personal days, medical leave, and other leave options. Our holiday schedule even includes a paid winter holiday at the end of the calendar year.

Commitment to wellness: STLCC HR boasts a dedicated health and wellness specialist who is enthusiastic about creating a culture of wellness throughout the College. With access to college wellness vendors, employees are educated, motivated, and rewarded for healthy behaviors. STLCC employees and anyone living in their household also have access to an employee assistance program (EAP) that can help them with virtually any life need.

The basics of this position:

Performs duties necessary to monitor and coordinate the activities of the purchasing staff. Develops and oversees all tasks necessary to accomplish the College's purchasing objectives to include; development of RFP, RFQ or RFI to accurately convey College needs to potential vendors; develops appropriate scoring matrix and educates user community on the matrix; negotiates contracts to ensure terms are favorable for the College; maintains College purchasing contracts and manages contract renewals. Serves subject matter expert on governmental purchasing best practices and regulations to ensure appropriate compliance.

What you'll do:

• Develops RFP, RFQ or RFI to accurately convey College needs to potential vendors. Develops and executes bid process with College constituencies to ensure a compliant, complete and successful bid process.
  Works with supplier diversity to expand the College's use of M/WBE vendors.
  Assures College bid process abides by College policies and procedures as well as State guidelines.
  Negotiates with vendors to resolve performance issues, enforce contract terms, and ensure best possible outcomes for the College.
  Maintains knowledge of Missouri and federal procurement laws, universal commercial codes, grant programs, College Board policy, required contract language and industry standards. Provides training on regulations to buyers, purchasing card coordinator and College employees to ensure regulatory compliance.
  Maintains vendor files. Ensures all required documentation is in place prior to executing any purchase order with a vendor. Works with bursar to provide expedient, secure payment gateways.
  Develops and maintains documentation on all processes resident in purchasing to ensure continuity and consistent function.
  Primary responsibility for College's bidding and contract maintenance software.
  Performs normal supervisory duties for the purchasing department.
  Develops and reviews reports from the enterprise software system to monitor and assess the work of the division.
  Participates in external audit process.
  Oversees contract performance on compliance and quality issues. Works with College representatives to provide contract administration.
  Effectively integrates technology into the Purchasing processes.
  Interfaces with Finance system functional leader to assure viability of purchasing function in enterprise software.
  Resolves bid disputes as appropriate.
  Develops and oversees the Purchasing department budget.
  Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Education, experience, and other requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related business field with five years' experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Advanced degree (MBA or similar) preferred.
Experience in a higher education or public sector environment is highly preferred, particularly with knowledge of Missouri state regulations and compliance in public procurement.
Strong leadership skills with a proven track record of managing and developing a team.
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement procurement strategies that align with institutional goals, including cost savings and process efficiency.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in procurement practices and supplier diversity initiatives.
Ability to develop creative solutions to procurement challenges and improve existing processes for greater efficiency and compliance.