University of Tennessee – Procurement Specialist – Knoxville, TN

Job title: Procurement Specialist Company: University of Tennessee Job description: Procurement Specialist Biology Business Office The Division of Biology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applications for the Procurement Specialist position within the Biology Business Office (BBO). This is a non-exempt, full-time, staff position, market range 05. The Division of Biology: The Division of Biology houses three different departments: Microbiology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Biochemistry, Molecular, and Cellular Biology. The Division is home to over 1,000 faculty, staff, and students. These researchers are actively engaged in scientific exploration, including field studies throughout the world. BBO functions to actively support these endeavors through centralized financial services and logistics. The Department: As a support facility that falls within the Division of Biology, BBO is committed to excellence in the service and support of academic and scientific research activities. Our primary goal is to support teaching and research by providing procurement, accounts payable and receivable, receiving and delivery, and accounting services. We seek colleagues that are committed to teamwork and have a positive approach to excellence in customer service. The Position: Reporting to the Business Manager, this position is part of the Division of Biology Business Office (BBO) and provides centralized purchasing for all the teaching and research departments and programs in the Division of Biology: Core Biology; Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology (BCMB); Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB); Genome Science and Technology (GST); Microbiology; and 3 recharge centers. This position bears a high level of responsibility for policy compliance and is the first point of contact for faculty/staff/students requesting the purchase of services, materials, and equipment Qualifications PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES • Procurement of services, materials, and equipment as requested by faculty, staff, and students within UT guidelines. • Procurement related problem solving including, but not limited to • shipment tracking and resolution of incorrect, lost, or damaged packages, • negotiating terms of replacement items and/or returns • working with UT Procurement and IT to resolve Market Place processing errors • Maintenance of BBO ordering database field entries and organization of records for tracing order status • Maintenance of vendor contact information and vendor specific ordering requirements • Functional supervision of Buyer’s Assistant responsible for receiving and delivery of packages. • Instruction of faculty/staff/students in BBO ordering process and UT purchasing policies • Providing general office support including, but not limited to • monitoring office supplies • mail sorting & distribution • handling of building-wide lost & found • advising and assisting in preparation of outgoing packages REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Education: • High school diploma or GED Experience: • 1-2 years of materials procurement related work experience Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: • Knowledge of procurement practices. • Knowledge of University fiscal policies. • Knowledge of Division of Biology structure. • Knowledge of Market Place procurement system. • Knowledge of paperwork and packaging requirements for outgoing shipments. • Knowledge of material handling requirements for radioactive and hazardous materials. • Skilled in exercising a high level of discernment and keen business judgment. • Skilled in Microsoft Office • Skilled at communicating well and working effectively and harmoniously with a diverse faculty, staff, student body, outside vendors, and the general public on a daily basis. • Skilled at guiding individuals with vague information to determine details of order requests. • Good organizational skills. • Ability to pay close attention to details. • Ability to recognize the importance of team work and excellent customer service required to maintain the high standards of the Biology Business Office. • Ability to work with minimal supervision. • Ability to set priorities. • Ability to adapt to changing policies and procedures. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: • Associate’s Degree in accounting/finance/bookkeeping or closely related field. • 4-5 years experience in accounting, logistics or closely related business work environment • 1-2 years experience in procurement for a higher education institution SALARY: DOE&Q APPLICATION PROCESS: For consideration, all applicants MUST submit a cover letter, resume and the names, addresses and phone numbers of three references into the UT Human Resources online portal. Visit . ANTICIPATED START DATE: As soon as possible. Review of Applications will continue until position is filled. The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title Vl/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED), 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, telephone (865) 974-2498. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity. Expected salary: Location: Knoxville, TN Apply for the job now! Apply tot his job