Purchasing Agent

*Aout the Opportunity* ProNexus is seeking an experienced *Purchasing Agent* to join our team. This is a hands-on procurement role responsible for managing day-to-day purchasing operations, supporting departments with procurement needs, ensuring compliance with applicable New York State purchasing requirements, and maintaining accurate purchasing and vendor documentation. *Key Responsibilities* * Manage the day-to-day purchasing function, including purchase requisitions, purchase orders, vendor coordination, and procurement documentation. * Review and process purchase requisitions, including those with and without general ledger and budget codes. * Work with department heads, budget managers, deans, vice presidents, and other stakeholders to ensure purchasing needs are addressed accurately and efficiently. * Guide departments through purchasing procedures, approval workflows, and procurement requirements. * Monitor incoming vendor invoices and coordinate with appropriate departments to obtain approvals and supporting documentation. * Establish, maintain, and close purchase orders in accordance with institutional procedures. * Support fiscal year-end purchasing activities, including reviewing open purchase orders, closing prior-year POs, and establishing new POs for the upcoming fiscal year. * Maintain organized procurement records and supporting documentation within document management systems. * Work with vendors to obtain quotes, place orders, resolve issues, and maintain strong professional relationships. * Support RFP and RFQ processes from initial specifications and requirements through completion. * Ensure purchasing activities comply with applicable *New York State procurement laws, bidding requirements, contracts, and purchasing regulations*. * Research and utilize New York State contracts and determine when purchases may qualify for contract-based or other procurement exceptions. * Assist with the administration and implementation of purchasing card programs, including coordination with the card provider and reconciliation processes. * Maintain inventory records for purchased assets and coordinate annual inventory updates. * Assist with surplus property processes, including disposal and auction activities. * Support annual and periodic procurement reporting, documentation requests, and FOIL requests as needed. * Serve as a liaison with vendors and external partners, including insurance-related contacts when applicable. * Research prior purchasing activity, policies, and documentation to identify historical practices and support informed purchasing decisions. * Provide guidance and recommendations to departments regarding purchasing specifications, vendor selection, and procurement processes. * Perform other purchasing and procurement-related duties as assigned. Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, Finance, Accounting, or a related field preferred. * *3+ years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience.* * Experience working in *higher education, government, municipal organizations, or another regulated environment strongly preferred.* * Strong understanding of purchasing procedures, competitive bidding, quotes, RFPs, RFQs, and vendor management. * Knowledge of *New York State procurement laws and purchasing requirements* preferred. * Experience working with institutional or public-sector purchasing contracts is highly desirable. * Strong understanding of purchase requisitions, purchase orders, invoice processing, and procurement documentation. Technical Skills * *Microsoft Excel – Intermediate proficiency required*, including lookups, pivot tables, and data management. * Experience with ERP or accounting systems required. * Experience with *Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains)* is a strong plus. * Experience with document management/workflow systems such as *DocuWare* is preferred. * Familiarity with purchasing card systems and reconciliation processes preferred. * Ability to learn new systems and institutional workflows quickly. *Why Join ProNexus?* This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced procurement professional to provide meaningful interim support to a higher education organization while utilizing their expertise in purchasing, vendor management, and regulated procurement processes. *ProNexus is an equal opportunity employer.* Pay: $29.00 - $32.00 per hour Work Location: In person