Director of Purchasing and Contracts

The Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY) is the focal point for advanced teaching and research at CUNY, the nation's largest urban public university. With over 35 doctoral and master's programs, the Graduate Center fosters pioneering research and scholarship in the arts and sciences and prepares students for careers in universities and the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. The Graduate Center's commitment to research and scholarship for the public good is exemplified by its more than 30 centers, institutes, and initiatives, including its Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC), a 200,000 square-foot facility in upper Manhattan.

About the role

Reporting to the Vice President for Finance, the Director of Purchasing and Contracts manages and directs all purchasing and contracting operations for the Graduate Center (GC), Macaulay Honors College, and the Advanced Science Research Center, along with the College’s related entities. This position requires working in the office four days a week and one day remotely, with a hybrid work schedule subject to change.

Responsibilities

• Manages, directs, and supervises the Purchasing Office staff of three to ensure proper generation and processing of purchase orders for goods and services in accordance with applicable guidelines, policies, and regulations.
• Coordinates and promotes productive working administrative processes and relationships with college departments and applicable CUNY staff.
• Oversees purchases of goods and services for the GC ($14.6 million), ASRC ($5 million), and Macaulay Honors College ($1.1 million) OTPS budgets.
• Processes high-dollar-value DASNY requests for ASRC and DASNY GRTI for the GC, including advertising, preparation of specifications, and solicitation documents.
• Prepares and submits requisitions and supporting documentation for orders to DASNY.
• Acts as CUNYfirst (Peoplesoft) Purchasing Module project leader; implements CUNY Purchasing module components to improve efficiency and trains staff, faculty, and administrators on the procurement module.
• Creates and submits procurement system access forms.
• Reconciles credit card transactions in the CUNY procurement module.
• Processes New York City Capital projects, including submission of requests, follow-up with CUNY Capital Office and OMB, preparation of specifications, solicitations, purchase orders, and documentation for New York City Comptroller’s Office approval.
• Drafts and submits advertisements in the New York State Contract Reporter for procurements exceeding $50,000.
• Represents the Business Office in purchasing and contract matters with college department heads, faculty, and administrative directors, providing expertise and guidance.
• Manages the Board Resolution process for contracts and purchases exceeding $500,000, including drafting resolutions, meeting CUNY calendar deadlines, and interacting with CUNY liaisons.
• Obtains goods and services within CUNY and New York State procurement regulations, including reviewing requests, researching vendors, creating contracts, drafting RFQs, IFBs, RFPs, conducting bid processes, negotiating, and selecting vendors.
• Participates in university-wide purchasing committees, special projects, and professional associations.
• Interacts with CUNY liaisons in the Office of the University Comptroller, CUNY Legal Affairs Office, New York State Comptroller’s Office, New York State Attorney General’s Office, and the New York City Comptroller’s Office.
• Ensures compliance with New York State and CUNY purchasing policies and procedures.
• Works to increase Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) goals for the GC.
• Provides reports, metrics, and analyses to the Vice President of Finance on department operations as requested.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and eight years of related experience required.
• Five years of experience with New York State or New York City purchasing rules preferred.
• Previous experience in public higher education preferred.
• Knowledge of Jagger Purchasing system and Workday Financial System.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Pay

$122,202 - $160,827/year. Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health plans.
• Competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans.
• Tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study.
• Generous paid time off.
• Access to academic, arts, and athletic programs on campuses.
• Opportunity to participate in a diverse academic community in New York City.

Schedule

Hybrid work schedule: four days in the office and one day remotely, subject to change.