Job Summary

Towson University (TU) is one of the nation's top 100 public universities. Located north of Baltimore, TU currently enrolls more than 19,000 students and is the second-largest university in the prestigious University System of Maryland. Towson University values diversity and fosters a climate that is grounded in respect and inclusion to cultivate the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.

The Senior Purchasing Agent performs specialized and complex professional purchasing involving planning/preparation, solicitation, evaluation, award, and administration of contracts for a wide range of services and equipment. This role also administers high-dollar-value procurements with a focus on construction and facilities maintenance services, ensuring vendor compliance with terms/conditions and adherence to University System of Maryland (USM) and State of MD requirements. The Senior Purchasing Agent may work with other USM campuses to source, award, and administer system-wide contracts. . Telework may be available for this position up to two days per week following the completion of 90 days of service in good standing.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Solicit, evaluate, award, and exercise contracting officer authority for moderate to high-value contracts (with a focus on construction services, facilities maintenance, and other complex services) in a timely manner.
• Assist with development of scope of work, determine procurement methodology, identify/screen new sources, conduct pre-bid/pre-proposal conferences, conduct/lead evaluation committees, prepare Board of Public Work Agendas, validate customer sole-source justifications, furnish end users with source, price, delivery data as well cooperative contract resources.
• Process purchase orders, change orders, and contract modifications/amendments. Prepare and interpret spreadsheets to support bid and pricing contract analysis for awards, timely renewals, and modifications.
• Provide proactive procedural/policy guidance and advice to Procurement customers to ensure fulfillment of the University's and the division's mission, goals, requirements, and schedules, and adherence to State of MD statutes/regulations, Board of Public Works (BPW) advisories, USM Procurement Policies and Procedures, and best purchasing practices.
• Interpret contract/acquisition law and requirements, representing the University in vendor negotiations as necessary to resolve issues and ensure best value. Resolve procurement issues between customers and suppliers, including difficult and complex contract modifications, disputes, claims and terminations.
• Identify businesses that could qualify as a small business and referring them to the Manager of Business Diversity and Supplier Inclusion (MBDSI) to obtain certification. Work with MBDSI and Procurement Review Group (PRG) to identify small business reserve procurements as well as establish minority business enterprise (MBE) sub-contracting opportunities.

Qualifications and Skills

• Have a Bachelor's degree and at least three years of related experience in Construction and Facilities Maintenance procurement.
• Strongly prefer professional procurement certification or obtain certification within 2 years of hire.
• Knowledge of Maryland procurement statues/regulations, Uniform Commercial Code, Towson University and USM Procurement Policies and Procedures, and public-sector/higher education purchasing practices.
• Skill in handling a variety of stakeholders, including campus customers, suppliers, elected/appointed officials, and the public. Skill in managing/resolving conflict and achieving consensus. Skill in technical writing, and public presentations--including persuasive writing/speaking. Skill in training and supervising entry-level staff.
• Ability to organize large amounts of data, and to quickly grasp/assess a wide variety of markets and industries. Ability to be attentive to detail despite distractions/interruptions, to work under pressure, and manage competing priorities.
• Ability to represent the University effectively in a variety of public settings, and to subordinate personal feelings/preferences to group goals.

Salary and Benefits

Salary starting at $75,000, salary commensurate on experience, and full University benefits that include 22 days of annual leave, up to 15 holidays, personal and sick days; excellent health, life, and retirement plans; and tuition remission. To learn more about our benefits, click here . TU also offers a variety of great perks and discounts, which can be found here .

This position will be open for a minimum of 14 days. For consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume with your online application.

The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and neighbors has been our top priority and the focus of every one of our decisions since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the University System of Maryland (USM) has strongly encouraged full COVID vaccination and up-to-date booster shots (when eligible) for all faculty, staff, and students at all schools in the USM as both a reasonable and necessary means of protecting our health and safety.