Purchasing Manager

Purchasing Manager

Lackawanna College is a private, accredited college serving the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Our main campus is located in downtown Scranton, and our footprint includes satellite centers in 10 locations around Pennsylvania. Our mission is to provide a quality education to all persons who seek to improve their lives and better the communities in which they live. We provide our students with a direct path to a bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or one of many different professional certifications. Additionally, our Continuing Education department helps put the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania back to work with modern career skills. Lackawanna is also one of the most cost-efficient regional higher education institutions.

Essential Functions, Primary Responsibilities and Objectives

• Oversee the organization’s day-to-day procurement operations while driving continuous improvement in purchasing processes, cost optimization, and financial controls.
• Manage open purchase orders, identifying and executing cost-saving initiatives, and leading the implementation of a streamlined purchasing card (P-card) program.

Procurement Operations & Vendor Management

• Manage daily purchasing activities, ensuring timely and accurate procurement of goods and services.
• Oversee supplier relationships, including vendor selection, performance monitoring, and issue resolution.
• Lead the RFP process and contract negotiations to secure favorable pricing, terms, and service levels.
• Maintain supplier performance metrics and ensure alignment with service expectations.

Cost Savings & Spend Management

• Analyze organizational spend data to identify cost-saving opportunities and reduction strategies.
• Drive initiatives to reduce expenses through vendor consolidation, renegotiation, and strategic sourcing.
• Develop and track cost savings metrics, reporting results to leadership.
• Partner with Finance to ensure purchasing decisions align with budget objectives.

Open Purchase Order (PO) Management

• Monitor and actively manage all open purchase orders to ensure accuracy, timely closure, and alignment with financial reporting.
• Identify and resolve aged or outstanding POs, working with departments and vendors to reconcile discrepancies.
• Implement controls and reporting mechanisms to improve PO visibility and accountability.
• Ensure proper documentation and audit readiness of all purchase transactions.

Process Improvement & System Implementation

• Lead continuous improvement efforts to streamline procurement processes and enhance operational efficiency.
• Design and implement a new P-card program, including policies, controls, training, and adoption strategies.
• Evaluate and improve procurement workflows, systems, and internal controls to reduce manual effort and errors.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to standardize purchasing practices and improve user experience.

Collaboration & Reporting

• Partner with Finance, Accounting, and department leaders to forecast purchasing needs and manage budgets.
• Prepare regular reports on purchasing activity, cost savings, PO status, and process improvement initiatives.
• Provide recommendations to leadership on procurement strategies and operational enhancements.

Team Leadership

• Supervise and mentor purchasing staff, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Provide training on procurement processes, systems, and P-card usage.
• Promote a culture of efficiency, collaboration, and cost-conscious decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Finance, or similar field.
• 5–7 years of procurement or purchasing experience, with demonstrated operational and process improvement responsibility.
• Proven track record of identifying and implementing cost-saving initiatives.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and procurement tools; experience implementing P-card programs preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.

Application Information

Applications will only be accepted via online method by clicking the link below. Deadline for applications, July 10, 2026. No phone calls, please.

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In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and all other applicable non-discrimination laws, Lackawanna College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran’s status, or genetic information in its educational programs and activities, admissions, and with regard to employment.