Senior Departmental Buyer

Senior Buyer

Include processing purchase orders, managing vendor relationships, resolving procurement issues, and maintaining accurate purchasing records. The position also supports inventory management, contract negotiation, and contributes to the development of procurement strategies that align with the bureaus mission and budgetary goals. This role is critical in ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement that supports the bureaus multidisciplinary research initiatives in energy, environment, and economics.

In addition to procurement duties, the senior buyer serves as the team lead for the bureaus purchasing staff, providing guidance, training, and oversight to ensure consistent and compliant purchasing practices across the unit.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and execute the full procurement lifecycle for goods, services, and equipment, including vendor selection, bid solicitation, contract review, and purchase order processing.
• Performs purchasing, receiving, and reconciliation activities for the procurement of supplies, materials, equipment and services utilizing the bureaus internal purchasing system.
• Performs buying and purchasing activities using the UT Pro Card, Point Plus and UT Market.
• Submit agreements to UTs Business Contracts Office and act as senior departmental contact for contract negotiations and final signature.
• Provide guidance on contract negotiation including basic review on contract terms.
• Ensure all purchasing activities adhere to UT Austin, UT System, and State of Texas procurement policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate documentation and audit readiness.
• Assist in locating products and services required to meet contractual requirements.
• Provide pricing for contract cost estimates and planning.
• Provide advance planning and guidance concerning approvals and procedures.
• Collaborate with financial staff to align purchases with budgetary constraints and grant requirements.
• Monitor expenditures and assist with financial reporting.
• Serve as team lead for departmental purchasing staff. Provide training, mentorship, and oversight to ensure consistent application of procurement standards and best practices.
• Identify opportunities to streamline procurement processes. Generate reports and metrics to support operational efficiency and strategic planning.