Purchasing Operations Manager

Recruitment Title: Purchasing Operations Manager
Job Classification: 9341PR - Fin Mgr 1-Purchasing

Position Overview

The University of Minnesota is seeking a strategic and detail-oriented Purchasing Operations Manager to lead and manage purchasing activities across the institution. This role serves as the Enterprise Financial System (EFS) Business Process Owner designee and is responsible for overseeing purchasing-related systems, including PeopleSoft, eProcurement (EPro), and other procurement tools.

The Purchasing Operations Manager plays a key role in defining data requirements, generating reports, and recommending actions based on purchasing data analysis. This position also represents Purchasing Services in various University forums, including Resource Responsibility Centers, Cluster Director meetings, and college/business unit engagements. The role includes leading or participating in system development projects and recommending policy and procedural improvements.

Responsibilities include the following:

• Consult with system campuses, colleges, and administrative units on the best purchasing methods and related financial activities in EFS.
• Act as a liaison between system users, the Module Support team, and other Business Process Owners to plan, implement, and deliver process improvements, lead and participate in purchasing year-end activities and reporting.
• In collaboration with Financial Training, identify, create, and maintain purchasing training resources and lead specific related financial courses.

Work Environment: Hybrid

Job duties with % of time:

System Support (50%)

• Enterprise Financial System (EFS)
  • Consult with the Module Support Team to deal with system issues and implement process improvements.
  • Manage help tickets, purchasing policy inquiries, and requisition/PO issues.
  • Act as a backup for clusters and approver for purchasing assistants.
  • FFATA Compliance Monitor
    • Monitor for orders that are subject to FFATA requirements.
    • Approve all FFATA-related requisitions and POs.
    • Facilitate the FFATA process by reviewing orders, dealing with suppliers to get the required information, and reporting orders to SPA.
  • Fiscal Year End and Monthly End Cleanup
    • Oversee requisition and PO transactions.
    • Consult with departments to clean up and resolve issues.
    • Perform all year-end processing and cleanup activities.
• U Market
  • Consult with U Market Services to onboard or update existing supplier catalogs to the U Market eProcurement system.
  • Consult with U Market Services to deal with system issues and implement process improvements.
• MBid
  • Consult with the Category Managers to maintain and make changes as needed to the eSourcing system, MBid.
  • Consult with the Category Managers to deal with system issues and implement process improvements.

Supervisor Job Responsibilities (25%)

• Manage a staff of up to 5 professionals.
• Achieves departmental goals by supervising staff, organizing and monitoring work processes, and supporting employee performance through effective coaching and counseling.
• Write and deliver performance evaluations.

Facilitate Training to University Staff (20%)

• Review and update training materials.
• Deliver training to departments as requested.
  • Common examples include creating and delivering presentations to departments that request specific purchasing training topics, creating and delivering training presentations to FSUN or other large user groups.

Special Projects (5%)

• Perform special projects as assigned by the Director or Controller; or self-initiated projects including special analyses, projects, and reports.

Required qualifications (please document on resume):

• Bachelor's degree (in accounts payable, finance, or a related field, preferred).
• Six years of professional-level purchasing experience.
• Five years of supervisory experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to create a culture of inclusion and lead collaborative teams.

Preferred qualifications (please document on resume):

• Master's degree.
• 8-10 years of related experience.
• Higher Education experience.
• Demonstrates knowledge of current theory and practice in governmental or higher education accounting.
• Experience with PeopleSoft or similar Oracle ERP system.
• Proven leadership, collaboration, and team-building skills.
• Problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Good planning and organizational skills to balance and prioritize work.
• Demonstrates ability to deliver excellence in the fields of Finance & Accounting.
• Demonstrates ability to work effectively with diverse decentralized customers and constituents.

Pay Range: $91,700 - $95,000 depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).