Senior Purchasing Agent

Towson University (TU) has earned distinction as both a top-100 public university and one of the nation's great colleges to work for. Located north of Baltimore, TU currently enrolls over 19,000 students and is the second-largest university in the prestigious University System of Maryland. Towson University fosters a climate that is grounded in respect to cultivating the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.

The Senior Purchasing Agent is responsible for procuring specialized and complex goods and services involving the planning/preparation, solicitation, evaluation, awarding, and administering of contracts for a wide range of services. The position administers low to high-dollar-value procurements while ensuring vendor compliance with terms/conditions, and adherence, to University System of Maryland (USM) and State of MD requirements. This role may work with other USM campuses to source, award, and administer system-wide contracts. This role may also approve routine transactions and make other decisions in the absence of the Director/Associate Director and make procurement presentations to campus leadership and outside groups. Telework may be available for this position up to two days per week following the completion of 90 days of service in good standing.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Independently solicit, evaluate, award, and exercise contract renewals for low to high-dollar-value procurement but are not limited to information technology (IT), services contract, facilities maintenance, construction, commodities and or any other goods and services as assigned by the Procurement Director and Associate Procurement Director. Identify/screen new contract vehicles, validate customer sole-source and emergency justifications, and furnish end users with new contract vehicles, price, and data. Independently lead RFP evaluation teams, conduct IFB, process purchase orders, change orders, and contract modifications or amendments. Prepare and review bids and make contract awards to the most responsive and responsible bidder.
• Independently provide proactive procedural/policy guidance and advice to Procurement customers to ensure fulfillment of the University's and the division's mission, goals, requirements, and schedules, and adherence to State of Maryland statues/regulations, Board of Public Works (BPW) advisories, USM Procurement Policies and Procedures, and best purchasing practices.
• Independently advise end-users on new technology and contract vehicles etc. as appropriate. Consult on tactical issues (e.g., project planning, choice of contracting method, optimal source, term, and contract language, etc.). Remain current with USM, State of Maryland, and other contracts available for use by TU clients, to optimize available resources.
• Independently interpret contract/acquisition law and requirements, representing the University in vendor negotiations as necessary to resolve issues and ensure best value. Resolve procurement issues between customers and suppliers, including difficult and complex contract modifications, disputes, claims and terminations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's Degree with at least two years of procurement related experience.
• Knowledge of Maryland procurement statues/regulations, Uniform Commercial Code, Towson University and USM Procurement Policies and Procedures, and public-sector/higher education purchasing practices.
• Skill in handling a variety of stakeholders, including campus customers, suppliers, elected/appointed officials, and the public. Skill in managing/resolving conflict and achieving consensus. Skill in technical writing, and public presentations--including persuasive writing/speaking.
• Ability to organize large amounts of data, and to quickly grasp/assess a wide variety of markets and industries. Ability to be attentive to detail despite distractions/interruptions, to work under pressure, and manage competing priorities.
• Ability to represent the University effectively in a variety of public settings, and to subordinate personal feelings/preferences to group goals.

Preferences

• Two years’ experience procuring information technology, IT consulting and services related procurement preferred.
• Experience in higher-education or public-sector procurement strongly preferred.

Salary and Benefits

Salary range at $88,000 - $103,000 annually and full University benefits that include 22 days of annual leave, up to 15 holidays, personal and sick days; excellent health, life, and retirement plans; and tuition remission. To learn more about our benefits, click here. TU also offers a variety of great perks and discounts, which can be found here.

This position will be open for a minimum of 14 days. For consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume with your online application.