Purchasing and Financial Coordinator

About the Role

The Department of Chemical Engineering is seeking a Purchasing and Financial Coordinator to support daily research, administrative, and financial operations. This role manages routine purchasing for research laboratories, provides financial and scheduling support, and serves as a backup point of contact for facilities coordination. The position works closely with other members of the Operations team to keep research and department operations running smoothly for faculty, staff, and students. The ideal candidate is someone organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple recurring tasks and requests at once.

Core Responsibilities

• Research Purchasing: Process routine purchase requests from faculty, PhD students, and research staff, including consumables, general lab supplies, and equipment.
• Track orders from request through delivery; follow up on delays or issues with vendors.
• Process reimbursements and departmental purchasing card reconciliations.
• Assist in negotiations with vendors and ensure completion of contract terms; responsible for merchandise selection.
• Recommend alternative products and vendors.
• Responsible for obtaining all documentation needed for purchase completion.
• Assist finance team to develop improved processes for purchasing and other finance operations.
• Coordinate freight/equipment deliveries, and outgoing equipment shipments/repairs.
• Assist with receipt/storage of packages requiring special handling (e.g. temperature sensitive).
• Assist with other purchasing tasks as needed to support department operations.
• Financial Support: Track, enter, and maintain Oracle labor distribution, working with faculty and the Engineering Research Accelerator’s post-award team to maintain planned labor allocations.
• Run recurring monthly financial and budget reports for departmental leadership, faculty, and student groups.
• Process financial transactions, including account redistributions, cost transfers, and other departmental financial activity, as needed.
• Assist with other financial tasks as needed to support department operations.
• General Department Support: Provide backup to other members of the operations team, including facilities and lab staff.
• Assist with other administrative tasks as needed to support department operations.
• As well as other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• 1-3 years of related experience.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Skills

• Excellent communication, verbal and written, as well as interpersonal relationship capabilities.
• Ability to work independently and resolve issues as they arise.
• Ability to meet deadlines, work under pressure and with frequent interruptions.

Requirements

• Successful Background Check

Benefits

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits. Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance. Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more! For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

Pay

Pay Basis: Hourly

Schedule

Full time

Location

Pittsburgh, PA