Buyer​/Purchasing

Buyer/Purchasing

The Office of Physical Plant (OPP) at The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a Buyer/Purchasing candidate to join the team.

The Buyer/Purchasing position is critical to maintaining the Supply Chain Function of the Office of Physical Plant at Penn State. This position helps identify materials and parts for various facilities and assets across the Penn State campuses. The Supply Chain Procurement Specialist is truly a buyer for the Office of Physical Plant. The specialist works closely with Central Procurement to ensure the RFP/RFQ meets the needs of the Physical Plant.

The Buyer/Purchasing position is key at OPP to identify the right products, the right quality, the right lead times, and what items will be stocked vs Non-Stocked.

• Identify and source materials and parts for different facilities and assets.
• Assist Technicians, Engineers, and Administrators with order placement.
• Facilitate the Primary Vending Program that allows us to lower our material cost by working through fewer vendors who are committed to providing the materials most commonly needed.
• Monitor organizational product and resource inventories; coordinate with management to ensure inventories fulfill customer requirements; add new items and delete obsolete items; monitor and adjust stock levels to meet seasonal and overall product and material needs.
• Maintain electronic database; record and update product nomenclature, pricing, codes, etc.; conduct spot checks and oversee physical inventories; address and resolve inconsistencies.
• Process supply, equipment, product, and material requests; track orders and invoices; ensure timely shipping and delivery; prepare and maintain contracts, transactions, and regulatory compliance documentation.
• Address and resolve order, inventory, shipping, delivery, and stock issuance discrepancies; refer issues to management as needed.
• Help ensure product availability; forecast and communicate inventory demands to vendors/suppliers; alert management of short-fall concerns.
• Keep customers informed of product line extensions, recalls, phase-outs, or new product launches; research, identify, and propose alternative product solutions including biodegradable, non-toxic, or other environmentally friendly items where available.
• Assist with quality assurance, monitor and document vendor and carrier performance, provide feedback, and suggest improvements. Identify and recommend new vendors to management and customers as needed.
• May validate and pay invoices.

• This position will be filled at an intermediate or advanced level depending on the final applicant's experience and education. The intermediate level requires a minimum of an associate's degree and two years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Additional education and/or experience are required for higher-level positions.

• This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.
• Due to the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of this position, successful completion of a credit history check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

• Medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans.
• Tuition discounts (including for a spouse and dependent children up to the age of 26).
• Generous vacation time and sick time.
• 14 paid holidays/campus closure days.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.