University of Minnesota · 6 hours ago
Purchasing Specialist II
Minneapolis, MN
Full-time
Hybrid
Entry, Mid Level
$27.93/hr - $31.45/hr
2+ years expThe University of Minnesota is seeking a Purchasing Specialist II to support their Financial Operation Center within the Controller’s Office. This role involves managing complex purchasing requests, collaborating with various teams, and ensuring compliance with university policies while providing exceptional service to stakeholders.
EducationHigher EducationUniversities
Hiring Manager
Gao Thao
Responsibilities
Under moderate supervision, use information and requests received from a portfolio of RRCs to complete the entry of data into the Enterprise Financial System (EFS) for purchasing functions following University standard processes and procedures for U Market shopping and order completion, requisition entries, and supplier set up
Understands, explains, interprets University purchasing policies and procedures and applies to various purchasing scenarios appropriately
Conducts research on potential vendors, products, and services. Solicits quotes, analyzes responses, and presents results and alternatives as requested for purchases under the formal bidding threshold
Identifies when legal terms and conditions apply and ensures contracts are routed to OGC for appropriate review when necessary
Identifies, collects, and drafts documentation as required by University policy to support a wide variety of complex purchases
Works with the Purchasing unit in the Controller’s Office to assist collecting required documentation for purchases
Identifies, collects, and drafts required documentation to request a new supplier or request changes to an existing supplier and submits the request for approval
Enters and monitors requisitions to ensure approvals and budget checks have occurred
Think critically about need, funding source, and cost. Applies knowledge of standard processes and University purchasing methods to ensure the most cost efficient and expeditious outcome of purchasing activity for the University
Understands key concepts for purchasing such as chart of accounts, price reasonableness, competitive sourcing, and applicable University policies
Uses information and requests received to assess and resolve moderately complex procurement issues, for the entry of requisition change orders, and the tracking and resolution of issues related to PO sourcing and dispatch
Understands, explains, interprets, and applies university purchasing and accounts payable policies to various scenarios using their expertise of the full procure to pay business process to advise departments and FinOps colleagues on the appropriate purchasing and payment methods to use
Serves as Purchasing subject matter expert: initiates and facilitates meetings between FinOps technicians, customers, and external suppliers to clarify payments, documentation, policy requirements, etc. as needed in order to efficiently resolve operational problems
Identifies opportunities in the business processes and makes recommendations for improvements
Responsible for receiving, assessing, and guiding purchases at or above $10,000 up to the formal bidding threshold—ensures documentation supports the source selection decision and that competitive processes are used to the maximum extent practicable
Supports the strategy of the Finance Operations Center by assisting in the production and review of supporting financial data
Prepares ad hoc financial reports as needed to support the overall purchasing operation for the Finance Operations Center and for the catalog of RRCs
Assists in the Finance Operations Center Quality Assurance program by running reports, reviewing transactions, and providing analysis and recommendations for training or procedural improvements
Designs and delivers on demand training sessions to FinOps colleagues and serves as a mentor to new or less experienced team members
Contributes to documentation of and participates in training for procedures for the Finance Operations Center
Identifies and participates in opportunities for cross-training across Finance Operations Center functions to maintain adequate coverage of all functions
Completes professional development, education, and training activities, consistent with performing the responsibilities of the position. Completes continued learning and development appropriate to work duties and for the pursuit of individual, unit, and institutional success
Participates in staff development based on individual need including ongoing skills training, DEI development, professional learning, service & scholarly activity, and engagement & well-being
As an individual contributor, models and contributes to crafting an inclusive work environment and encouraging a caring culture
Other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
BA/BS degree with two or more years of related experience or a combination of related education and work experience equal to six or more years
Ability to interact with standard technology platforms (e.g., word processing, data entry, email, internet browsing)
Ability to run reports, clean and understand data, compile analysis of data and present results in a clear manner
Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
Ability to detect problems and report information to appropriate personnel
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both written and verbal settings
Preferred
Knowledge of university policies and procedures involving purchasing
Experience in a public procurement setting including supplier sourcing, market research, RFPs, sole source justification, etc
Experience or certification in any formal process improvement methodology
Demonstrated experience developing and/or delivering training or teaching to other professionals in purchasing or a closely related field
Benefits
Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
University HSA contributions
Disability and employer-paid life insurance
Employee wellbeing program
Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
Financial counseling services
Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area
Company
University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota is an educational institution that offers master's and doctoral degrees in medicine, law, and engineering fields.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
University of Minnesota has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (298)
2024 (240)
2023 (289)
2022 (215)
2021 (201)
2020 (185)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$97.08MKey Investors
American Academy of Orthopaedic SurgeonsNational Science FoundationU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
2023-12-01Grant· $0.03M
2023-05-04Grant· $20M
2023-04-13Grant· $10M
Leadership Team
Shane Stennes
Chief Sustainability Officer
Recent News
2025-12-17
2025-12-10
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