Senior Departmental Buyer

Job Posting Title: Senior Departmental Buyer ---- Hiring Department: University Housing and Dining ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA ---- Earliest Start Date: Immediately ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue ---- Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS ---- Job Details: General Notes BENEFITS: UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:   100% employer-paid basic medical coverage  Free Capital Metro bus rides Retirement contributions   Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays Career growth & professional development Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website at https://hr.utexas.edu/   to learn more about the total benefits offered when you join our team! Purpose Responsible for executing advanced purchasing and procurement duties in support of University Housing and Dining (UHD). This position processes requisitions, and solicits bids in compliance with University and State guidelines. Develops and maintains vendor relationships to ensure competitive pricing and quality service. Performs highly advanced procurement work with minimal supervision and extensive latitude for initiative and independent judgment. Communicates purchasing details, status updates, and resolves order discrepancies with requesters and suppliers. Responsibilities Performs highly advanced purchasing and procurement work. Oversees purchasing activities for the procurement of supplies, materials, equipment, and services following established University and State guidelines. Serves as departmental buyer and procurement resource for University Housing and Dining (UHD), including Facilities Maintenance, Building Services, Dining Operations, Apartments, Business Services, Residence Life, IT, and Human Resources. Establishes program goals and objectives related to purchasing and procurement activities. Reviews processes regularly to ensure efficiency and identifies opportunities for improvement. Continuously evaluates emerging technologies and tools to enhance purchasing workflows and drive operational effectiveness. Performs advanced contract administration work and participates in the execution and administration of contracts. Demonstrates substantial knowledge of University and State of Texas contract management and execution. Works with requestors to source vendors and manages the contract process from drafting to final execution. Provides clear and consistent written and verbal communication to requestors, vendors, and University purchasing and business contracts offices. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Supports all purchasing functions as needed with primary responsibility for processing routine purchasing requests from UHD departments such as Business Services, Human Resources, Residence Life, Maintenance, Building Services, IT, and Dining Operations. Works independently and collaboratively with other Senior Departmental Buyer on purchasing functions to determine priorities, set timelines, and ensure compliance with University and State purchasing policies. Assists in providing guidance and support to Departmental Buyer as needed. Coordinates and/or develops and provides training to staff regarding purchasing and procurement practices and policies. Performs related functions as assigned. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree. Minimum 3 years of purchasing or relevant experience. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Preferred Qualifications 4 or more years of purchasing experience. Experience working in a higher education setting. Experience using technologies to automate processes and process automation (Power Automate, Power BI, Smartsheet). Familiar with UT purchasing and accounting policies and procedures and/or State of Texas procurement laws. Experience with UT Austin financial systems (DEFINE, FRMS, Point Plus, and UT Market) and/or similar. Experience reviewing processes and workflows, and recommending and implementing improvements to drive efficiency. Experience in creating and maintaining documentation and training materials. Certified Texas Contract Developer or Certified Texas Contract Manager. Salary Range $65,000+ depending on qualifications Working Conditions May work in all weather conditions. Standard office environment. Repetitive use of keyboard at a workstation. Use of manual dexterity. Work Shift Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (hours may vary based on business needs). Required Materials Resume/CV 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor Letter of interest Important   for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers:  You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes. Important for Current university employees and contingent workers:  As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application quest