Senior Purchasing Manager Job

Senior Purchasing Manager
Full-time Support Staff
Dickson Center

Hybrid Option: Yes

Join our dynamic team at Waubonsee Community College, where your career can flourish. Be part of a transformative institution, dedicated to making a positive impact in our community and the lives of our students. Waubonsee Community College is committed to hiring and retaining exceptional faculty and staff who are committed to the college's culture of collaboration, professional growth and student success. Your future starts here - join us today!

The Senior Purchasing Manager reports directly to the Assistant Vice President of Finance and has the authority to make procurement decisions on behalf of the college, negotiate with suppliers, develop and implement procurement strategies to ensure cost-effective purchasing, determine the best procurement processes, is responsible for managing all aspects of the college's procurement process and to mitigate risk to the college through established procedures, possessing a comprehensive knowledge of college procedures, state and federal procurement laws, procurement best practices and the analysis of procurement data. This position will collaborate and communicate with all employees including the Board of Trustees, senior administration, deans, and faculty and support staff in a professional and confidential manner, holding to the highest standard of integrity.

Leadership & Administration

The Purchasing Manager provides strategic leadership and direct supervision to the Senior Administrative Coordinator Purchasing and Mail Room Staff, offering guidance on complex tasks while managing and supporting this position in the performance of daily purchasing functions, administrative workflows, and execution of departmental goals.

Develop and maintain college business expense and travel procedures, forms and manage communication and training of procedures to all college personnel. Review and approve business expense and travel reimbursement. Ensure compliance in all areas of college travel with federal, state and local laws including those specific to community college and local government travel.

Determine procurement strategies and procedures, and develop new cost saving strategies for the college.

Manage purchasing budget and track procurement expenses to stay within budget

Manage and prepare procurement recommendations for purchases requiring Board of Trustee approval.

Manage the college mail systems and postage account.

Procurement & Sourcing

Provide direction, decision making and manage all aspects of the purchase order process including approval or rejection of requisitions for compliance with college purchasing procedures, state and federal compliance, account classification and budget validation.

Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand procurement needs.

Develop and maintain college purchasing procedures and software, and manage communication and training of procedures to all college personnel.

Serve as a resource for the college to review and edit contracts and agreements for terms and conditions. Research best purchasing practices through cooperative purchasing agreements, including those from the State of Illinois Department of Central Management services.

Manage all aspects of the Bid/RFP/RFQ processes. Develop specifications, set dates, conduct all Bid/RFP openings, prepare summary reports and maintain central files. Serve as a resource for the college to review and edit contracts and agreements for terms and conditions.

Compliance & Policy

Manage all aspects of the college's Business Enterprise Program (BEP) to ensure compliance with Illinois law and board resolution. Act as liaison to the Council of Equity and Inclusion

File an annual expenditure and service category report with the State of Illinois' Commission on Equity and Inclusion. Report will provide the number of contracts with BEP-certified firms, BEP expenditures, and diverse service firm category usage during the previous fiscal year.

File an annual compliance plan with the State of Illinois' Commission on Equity and Inclusion that outlines the goals for contracting with certified businesses owned by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities, the manner in which the college intends to reach these goals, and a timetable.

Monitor federal, state and local procurement code and establish college standards for procurement compliance with applicable laws. Ensure compliance with and implementation of all areas of college procurement with federal, state and local laws including those specific to community college and local government purchasing and grants.

Vendor & Operational Services

Manage the college's purchasing card program acting as the purchasing card administrator including program reporting of expenditures, benchmarking, monthly reconciliation, auditing for fraud and abuse, strategize for program expansion, review and provide new card issuance and card cancellation.

Maintain the college equipment inventory and coordinate auctions, sales and disposals of college owned equipment.

Manage supplier relationships and evaluate supplier performance.

Manage supplier contracts and credit accounts for the college including, but not limited to office supplies, document storage, document destruction and online purchasing.
Solicit new vendors to meet the college's BEP aspirational goals as set by the State of Illinois.

Research vendors, coordinate vendor relations and select vendors and sources for all goods and services based upon quality, price, timeliness, and needs. Maintain related vendor database.

Coordinate the shipping and receiving functions as they relate to purchasing, delivery and returns.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required; preferably in Business Administration or related field.

At least five years of employment experience in a highly regulated field with progressive responsibility in purchasing required. Two years of experience required in a managerial/supervisory role. Preference for previous experience in education procurement, compliance, auditing, state and federal law, and grant regulations.

Solid understanding of financial principles related to procurement. Strong working knowledge of relevant procurement issues, opportunities and trends. Previous experience in MRO, construction, equipment and services procurement preferred.

Certification in procurement or supply chain management (e.g., CPM, CPPB, CPPM, CPPO) preferred.

Previous experience in the following areas preferred:
purchasing card administration, program development and auditing for abuse and fraud.
negotiating contracts and managing vendor relationships
budgeting and strategic planning.
researching, technical and specification writing.

Please attach the following documents when applying:

1. Cover Letter-Yes


2. Resume-Yes


3. References-Yes (Can be provided at interview)


4. Transcripts-No (Can be provided at interview)

Position Details
req2119
Grant Funded: No
Compensation Range: 92,549.00 - 115,686.00
Compensation Type: Salaried
Compensation Currency: USD
Compensation: The pay for this position will be determined by your experience, education, and qualifications.
Work Schedule: M-F 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Work Hours: 40 hours/week
Testing: No
Targeted Hire Date: 6/1/2026
Benefits: Click to See Benefits Page

Special Instructions: Please attach all required documents at the time of application submission.

EOE, including disability and veteran