Assistant University Purchasing Agent (Construction)

About the role

The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by July 20, 2026. Applications received after July 20, 2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE IS POSSIBLE AFTER SIX MONTHS.

Position Summary

The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State’s flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, and the Bay Campus is located in Narragansett. Both campuses are near major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. URI is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston, and New York City.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Aid the University Purchasing Manager (Construction) in managing and daily procurement functions for the University’s campuses, which include the procurement functions of the academic, administrative and research community; with a primary focus on the construction and facilities operations activities on all campuses.
• Ensure timely sourcing, purchasing and documentation of materials and services required for construction and public works projects while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.
• Participate in the development, management and implementation of programs and standards as they relate to the University’s purchasing policies and procedures.
• Aid in the development and implementation of contracts and agreements related to procurement activities, with a focus on construction and facilities operations.
• Aid in the development and implementation of various ERP modules or related procurement software.
• Develop and conduct public bid solicitations (RFIs, RFPs, RFBs, etc.) to procure construction and public works related to goods and services exceeding certain defined thresholds working in conjunction with the Purchasing Manager (Construction).
• Prepare purchase order documentation.
• Serve as a Purchasing Department liaison with the community to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Ensure that they have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the processes and the financial system which will provide maximum benefit to their activities as well as this Department.
• Aid in preparing and presenting management reports on purchasing activities regarding the various fund sources and document utilization.
• Cook up with project managers and the facilities group on purchase requests and requirements.
• Serve as the Purchasing Department liaison with external state agencies focused on construction and public works and assist with the development of policies and procedures for the University Purchasing Department.
• Aid in conducting training sessions with the Purchasing Manager (Construction) for other offices and departments throughout the University on the policies and procedures of the Purchasing Section; with a focus on construction related activities.
• Perform advanced technical work and supervision in the procurement of complex goods or services including the negotiation processes involved.
• Evaluate procedures and forms being used and recommend necessary revisions to promote efficiency and effectiveness.
• Provide user level information on the automated procurement system to the Purchasing Agent for further development and recommend changes to promote efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum two years of purchasing related experience in public or private employment.
• Experience working with construction, construction management, operations, and/or public works related activities (i.e. purchasing experience with public works bidding, negotiations, etc.).
• Demonstrated organization skills.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written communications skills.
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office programs (including Word and Excel).
• Demonstrated problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated experience with virtual collaboration platforms and enterprise communication software (Google, Microsoft Teams, Webex, Zoom, Sharepoint, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated PeopleSoft, Workday or other similar e-procurement financial system experience.