BUYER/SENIOR BUYER

About the role

The Director of Contract & Purchasing Services oversees all purchasing activities for the university, including developing and maintaining contacts with internal departments and external vendors, preparing requests for bids, selecting vendors, writing contracts, and monitoring vendor performance.

Responsibilities

• Determines sources of supply to ensure quality, services, and competitive prices.
• Selects the vendor bid most advantageous to the University, and awards purchase orders for required materials.
• Communicates knowledge of general purchasing practices, systems, and procedures to representatives or other university departments.
• Establishes follow-up procedures for ordered materials and expedites the receipt and delivery of ordered materials.
• Develops and approves new purchasing policies and procedures.
• Maintains contracts for major, repetitive purchases and other contracts as required.
• Coordinates product testing procedures between vendors and departments.
• Ensures that purchasing transactions comply with generally accepted purchasing principles and procedures.
• Monitors vendor performance and insures that purchasing transactions comply with generally accepted purchasing principles and procedures.
• Performs complex financial analysis.
• Collaborates with Director in hiring and training of new administrative professional employees.
• Negotiates major contracts.
• Audits NPO and QPO purchases made outside of accepted purchasing policies and procedures.
• Monitors purchasing compliance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, preferably in business administration or related field.
• One year experience as a buyer or related experience.
• Ability to perform complex financial analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated computer experience with business software applications, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships and project a positive attitude.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business administration or related field.
• At least three years’ experience at the buyer level or directly related experience.
• Ability to perform complex financial analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address issues and propose creative solutions.
• Demonstrated computer experience with business software applications, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships and project a positive attitude.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in vendor management and supplier relationship management.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills.
• Attention to detail to ensure accuracy in contracts, pricing, and specifications.

Skills

• Knowledge of ERP/MRP operating systems.
• Purchasing certification such as CPP, CPSM, or similar.

Benefits

Central Michigan University offers a comprehensive benefits package including access to a nationally recognized wellness program, health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms, and more.

Pay

$55,000 - $70,000 per year.

Schedule

Full-time, 12-month position. Hours: M-F 8am-5pm, other times as needed.

About the department

About CMU: Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives. We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master’s, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence. CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more. Central is home to 17 men’s and women’s Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17. CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It’s part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state’s largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant. Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions — Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more — are within easy reach of the city’s central location in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.

Message to applicants

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU’s mission, vision, and leadership standards. You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position. Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee. This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified. For best consideration, please submit application materials on or before July 14th, 2026. To apply, visit this link. CMU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and institution.