Summary
Operating within the Education Finance and Administration sector, the Procurement Specialist independently manages complex, high-dollar purchasing activities and compliant solicitations for the institution. By leveraging deep expertise in procurement codes and enterprise systems like PeopleSoft, this role ensures cost-effective sourcing and mitigates organizational risk by preventing flawed bid processes. As a senior buyer with substantial purchasing authority, the specialist drives the end-to-end bid process from specification to award, optimizing operational budgets and ensuring strict adherence to regulatory standards.
Responsibilities
End-to-End Solicitation Management: Independently run compliant, complex, and high-dollar solicitations from initial specification through to final award.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Mitigation: Ensure strict adherence to state and federal provisions, including the SC Consolidated Procurement Code, to prevent flawed bid processes and mitigate protest risks.
Sourcing Strategy & Bid Preparation: Develop cost-effective sourcing strategies, prepare detailed invitations to bid, and critically evaluate submissions for optimal vendor selection.
Contract Negotiation & Awarding: Evaluate multifaceted award factors and negotiate service contracts within established legal and institutional frameworks.
Procurement System Operations: Utilize enterprise platforms such as PeopleSoft and the USC Supplier Portal to seamlessly process purchase orders and maintain accurate procurement records.
Sourcing Analysis & Evaluation: Compile, assemble, and analyze purchasing data to drive informed sourcing decisions and maximize cost efficiencies.
Operational Budget Support: Assist in the oversight and administration of operational budgets for service divisions, ensuring alignment with funding sources and financial policies.
Junior Buyer Mentorship: Serve as a lead worker to guide, train, and review the work of junior procurement staff, fostering a high standard of purchasing excellence.
Contract Administration & Reporting: Monitor active vendor agreements, compile procurement reports, and provide valuable input for institutional policy enhancements.
Qualifications and Requirements
Experience & Education
Required: Substantial experience managing complex, high-dollar routine buys independently from specification to final award.
Required: Proven background in contract analysis, bid preparation, and operational budget support for a services division.
Preferred: Progress toward or possession of a Certified Public Procurement Buyer (CPPB) credential or actively on the NIGP-CPP path.
Preferred: Experience in foundational contract administration, including monitoring active agreements and preparing compliance reports.Domain Knowledge & Compliance
Required: Expert command of state and federal regulatory frameworks, specifically including the SC Consolidated Procurement Code.
Required: Deep understanding of the specific laws, policies, and funding sources that govern institutional procurement and complex solicitations.
Preferred: Advanced knowledge of sourcing strategy to identify cost-effective approaches across various purchasing methods and categories.Tools & Technologies
Required: High proficiency in utilizing enterprise financial and ERP systems, specifically PeopleSoft, for procurement and purchase order preparation.
Required: Hands-on experience navigating and managing transactions within the USC Supplier Portal or comparable institutional e-procurement systems.Soft Skills & Leadership
Required: Strong analytical skills to compile, assemble, and evaluate complex data for critical sourcing decisions.
Required: Effective negotiation capabilities to establish service contracts and agreements within strict state and federal legal provisions.
Preferred: Demonstrated lead-worker ability to guide, train, and review the daily performance and compliance of junior procurement staff.
Preferred: Advanced reporting and communication skills for drafting position papers, delivering presentations, and providing actionable institutional policy input.