Job Description

Buyer, Senior (Multiple Positions) Posting Number req27402 Department Procure to Pay Operations Department Website Link Finance & Budget Location Tucson Campus Address Tucson, AZ USA Position Highlights The Senior Buyer position on the Procure to Pay team is part of Supply Chain Services within the Finance & Budget division. The person in this role manages all procurement activity for assigned commodities/services or university departments under a specific delegated authority. This roles is responsible for managing competitive bid processes for major contracts, negotiating contracts, acting as liaison between university departments and suppliers, and identifying potential new suppliers. The Senior Buyer is responsible for a working knowledge of Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), University, and Federal procurement policies which are applied as necessary to university requests.

When you join the Finance & Budget organization, you become part of a smart, driven team that thrives on solving complex challenges. We align our business practices with the university’s priorities and cultivate talented teams who find purpose in creating simpler, more effective systems that drive institutional success. Our focus is clear: developing our people, transforming our work, and elevating our role.

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, combining on-site work at the Tucson campus with remote work flexibility.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Process moderately complex purchase requisitions and issue purchase orders for varied goods, materials, equipment, and services in accordance with institutional procurement policies and procedures. Maintain procurement documentation and records in institutional systems to support compliance with audit requirements, enable reporting and analysis, and provide documentation for current and future institutional needs.
• Coordinate formal solicitation requests for quotes (RFQs) by reviewing specifications with stakeholders, evaluating responses, and recommending awards in accordance with institutional and applicable regulatory requirements. Conduct market research and evaluate suppliers to identify sources, analyze pricing trends, assess performance, and recommend vendors that meet institutional standards for quality, value, delivery, and compliance.
• Negotiate and administer contracts and agreements for goods, materials, equipment, and services by reviewing terms,coordinating with stakeholders and institutional offices, and monitoring compliance with institutional policies and regulatory standards. Monitor contract performance and renewal requirements to coordinate timely renewals, address performance issues, and ensure continuity of services and compliance with contractual obligations.
• Coordinate procurement activities with internal departments and external stakeholders to assess needs, establish timelines, provide guidance on purchasing processes, and support institutional programs and operational objectives.
• Provide procurement guidance and training to departmental personnel and support staff on purchasing processes,contracting requirements, institutional policies, and system procedures to enhance procurement capabilities and compliance.

Knowledge:

• ABOR procurement policies, university procurement policies and procedures, and how delegated purchasing authority and dollar thresholds work.
• Federal procurement requirements that apply when sponsored funds are used, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and, where applicable, FAR/DFARS flow-down clauses.
• Public-sector competitive solicitation methods: RFQ, ITB, RFP, sole source and exemption justifications, and cooperative contracts.
• Contract law fundamentals, including terms and conditions, indemnification, insurance, limitation of liability, and public-entity restrictions.
• Supplier diversity, small business, and sustainability considerations in public procurement.
• Procurement and financial systems (e-procurement, P2P platforms, and ERP workflows).
• Public records, ethics, and conflict-of-interest requirements.

Skills:

• Developing and managing solicitations: reviewing specifications and scopes of work for open competition, structuring evaluation criteria, and running a defensible competitive process.
• Negotiating pricing, terms, and service levels on major contracts.
• Evaluating proposals and bids and documenting award decisions.
• Reviewing and redlining contracts and escalating legal or risk issues appropriately.
• Cost and price analysis and spend analysis.
• Supplier research and sourcing, including identifying and qualifying new suppliers.
• Written communication: clear solicitations, award justifications, and policy explanations that departments can act on.
• Managing multiple concurrent procurements and keeping accurate files for audit.
• Using procurement systems and data to track contracts, savings, and compliance.

Abilities:

• Interpreting and applying ABOR, university, and federal policy to varied, ambiguous requests, and knowing when a request needs escalation.
• Exercising independent judgment and decision-making within delegated authority.
• Acting as a trusted liaison, advising departmental staff while holding firm on compliance.
• Balancing competing priorities, such as speed, cost, risk, and compliance, with sound reasoning.
• Managing supplier relationships and resolving disputes or performance issues.
• Maintaining integrity and impartiality in a high-scrutiny, audit-exposed role.
• Working effectively across a large, decentralized organization with stakeholders at all levels.
• Learning new categories, regulations, and systems quickly.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications FLSA Exempt Full Time/Part Time Full Time Number of Hours Worked per Week 40 Job FTE 1.0 Work Calendar Fiscal Job Category Finance Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits Rate of Pay $53,039 - $66,299 Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE) Grade 7 Compensation Guidance The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator. Career Stream and Level PC2 Job Family Procurement Job Function Finance Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive) Number of Vacancies 2 Target Hire Date 11/9/2026 Expected End Date Contact Information for Candidates Bruce MacLaren,

bmaclaren@arizona.edu

Open Date 10/21/2026 Open Until Filled Yes Documents Needed to Apply Resume and Cover Letter Special Instructions to Applicant Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.