The University of Southern California (USC) Procurement Services is seeking a strategic-minded and experienced Procurement Specialist (Central) to join its team.
This position manages operational procurement processes and transactions, providing routine and non-routine services and activities. The Procurement Specialist (Central) is responsible for transactions of varying complexity (e.g., low, medium, high cost/risk), ensuring completion, accuracy, policy compliance, and utilization of best practices. Finally, this role ensures timely review and active communication with relevant stakeholders.
Job Accountabilities
Reviews, manages, and approves various operational requests, transactions, and related activities (e.g., requisitions, purchase orders, supplier agreements). Works directly with suppliers on behalf of customers and departments. Reviews proposals, quotes, and agreements to identify opportunities to add value. Maintains industry currency (e.g., key suppliers, pricing, trends) and understanding of all relevant policies and procedures.
Manages contract review and redlining processes. Drafts agreements using approved internal templates. Constructs statements of work and/or ensures adequate completion. Signs agreements within designated authority thresholds. Regularly challenges suppliers to negotiate pricing and business terms while utilizing market intelligence, category expertise, and benchmarks. Solicits competitive proposals when possible.
Facilitates and manages various request-for-X events and processes. Ensures overall process integrity, fair and equitable competition, timeliness, and accountability for all participants. Prepares necessary documentation, scoring/ranking, analysis, and comparisons. Seeks new ways to improve/assist with processes and negotiations. Provides information and training/guidance on any of the above to others as necessary.
Ensures appropriate documentation and audit trail. Effectively communicates and coordinates with all appropriate relevant stakeholders. Ensures compliance with and advises faculty/staff on all applicable requirements, regulations, policies, procedures and best practices. Builds relationships with stakeholders. Balances policy enforcement, education, and advising on processes with meeting timelines and organizational demands.
Problem solves for non-standard requests as well as internal/external policy deviations. Performs due diligence and conducts research on previous purchase orders, agreements, and other available resources (e.g., for history, comparison, benchmarking) to determine best course of action. Maintains understanding of all agreement types, their uses, and with all relevant systems and tools.
Works collaboratively to maximize opportunities, implement strategic initiatives, develop category strategies, problem solve, and manage supplier relationships and performance when applicable. Provides backup support to peers when necessary. Promotes an environment that fosters inclusive relationships and creates unbiased opportunities for contributions through ideas, words, and actions that uphold principles of the USC Code of Ethics.
Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
Three years’ experience in procurement or related fields.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, able to present and translate complex data to varied audiences.
Sound judgement, critical thinking and reading ability.
Excellent problem solving, analytical, and research skills.
Proficiency for analyzing supplier proposals and conducting basic cost analyses.
Excellent collaboration, organizational/time-management skills and attention to detail.
Ability to effectively manage a high volume of transactions, projects and events simultaneously.
Foundational understanding of procurement agreements and their applicability.
Excellent networking, interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.
Demonstrated track record of successful negotiations, delivered value, and production of desired results.
Proficiency with key software, systems and tools.
In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC's Unifying Values.
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree (Business or related field).
Five years’ procurement experience in higher education.
Advanced proficiency with relevant software, systems and tools (e.g., Workday, Oracle/SAP, Jaggaer).
High level of industry expertise in specific commodities in a procurement capacity.
Leadership and management skills.
Proven track record of conducting successful negotiations, delivering procurement value, and producing desired results.
Salary Range
The salary for this position is $70,304.00/yr. When determining an offer, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate’s experience, education, training, key skills, internal peer alignment, applicable laws, contractual requirements, grant funding, and market conditions.
Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree
USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.
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