Senior Departmental Buyer

Job Posting Title: Senior Departmental Buyer - Hiring Department: Bureau of Economic Geology - Position Open To: All Applicants - Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 - FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA - Earliest Start Date: Immediately - Position Duration: Expected to Continue - Location: PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS - Job Details: General Notes This is an in-person position located at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin. Purpose The Senior Departmental Buyer serves as the lead procurement specialist for the Bureau of Economic Geology, overseeing the acquisition of goods, services, equipment, and materials essential to the Bureau’s research and operational activities. This position ensures that all purchasing activities comply with university, state, and federal procurement policies and procedures. The role requires a high level of autonomy, attention to detail, and the ability to manage complex purchasing transactions in support of scientific research and administrative functions. The Senior Buyer acts as the primary liaison between the Bureau, the University Purchasing Office, vendors, and internal stakeholders. Responsibilities include processing purchase orders, managing vendor relationships, resolving procurement issues, and maintaining accurate purchasing records. The position also supports inventory management, contract negotiation, and contributes to the development of procurement strategies that align with the Bureau’s mission and budgetary goals. This role is critical in ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement that supports the Bureau’s multidisciplinary research initiatives in energy, environment, and economics. In addition to procurement duties, the Senior Buyer serves as the team lead for the Bureau’s purchasing staff, providing guidance, training, and oversight to ensure consistent and compliant purchasing practices across the unit. Responsibilities Coordinate and execute the full procurement lifecycle for goods, services, and equipment, including vendor selection, bid solicitation, contract review, and purchase order processing. Performs purchasing, receiving, and reconciliation activities for the procurement of supplies, materials, equipment and services utilizing the Bureau’s internal Purchasing System. Performs buying and purchasing activities using the UT ProCard, PointPlus and UT Market. Submit agreements to UT’s Business Contracts Office and act as Senior Departmental contact for contract negotiations and final signature. Provide guidance on contract negotiation including basic review on contract terms. Ensure all purchasing activities adhere to UT Austin, UT System, and State of Texas procurement policies and procedures. Maintain accurate documentation and audit readiness. Assist in locating products and services required to meet contractual requirements. Provides pricing for contract cost estimates and planning. Provide advance planning and guidance concerning approvals and procedures. Collaborate with financial staff to align purchases with budgetary constraints and grant requirements. Monitor expenditures and assist with financial reporting. Serve as team lead for departmental purchasing staff. Provide training, mentorship, and oversight to ensure consistent application of procurement standards and best practices. Required Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, or a related field with at least three years' experience. Several years of purchasing experience in a complex organization. Knowledge of procurement policies and procedures. Experience with vendor negotiations and contract compliance. Proficiency in enterprise financial systems (e.g., UT Austin uses DEFINE, Contracts Plus and UT Handbook of Business Procedures.) Strong organizational and communication skills. Ability to interpret and apply state and university purchasing regulations. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Preferr…

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