Job Description

This position is a benefits-eligible two year term appointment located in Ithaca, New York. The successful candidate will have the option to perform this role remotely at a location of their choosing within the United States.

The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working outside New York State.

No Visa sponsorship available for this position

What is Procurement Service?
Cornell University, unique among peers, is the federal land-grant institution of New York State, a private endowed university, and a member of the Ivy League.

Cornell University's Board of Trustees delegates significant procurement authority, ultimately, to Procurement Services (Procurement) for acquiring goods and services on the university's behalf from external sources. Procurement has been called upon to provide crucial data analysis, strategic recommendations, assistance in decision-making, and tools to assist the university in reducing spending and making processes more efficient. While Procurement continues to pursue non-salary cost savings for the university, its strives to provide a world-class supply management function in support of the University’s mission by creating value through strategic sourcing, efficient processes, and professional service. Read more

What you will do:

In accordance with the Transaction Authority Policy, as approved by the Board of Trustees, CEMI Procurement Agents have been delegated (by the EVP/CFO and Vice President of the Division of Financial Services) the authority to make obligations outside of the University for the procurement of goods and services. This requires CEMI Procurement Agents’ approval and signature on purchase orders, agreements, and contracts related to the procurement of goods and services.

As a member of the Procurement Services team of CEMI Procurement Agents, you will be part of a team-focused, fast-paced, demanding, and continuously evolving environment that provides University departments with the business skills required for the procurement of equipment, supplies, and services in assigned commodity area seeking the best total value package of quality, price, and service.

The primary responsibilities for the Procurement Agent include:

• Monitor and interpret applicable market conditions and trends.
• Design and implement purchasing plans for assigned commodity areas.
• Advise management in the development of purchasing policies, procedures, and plans.
• Negotiate Cornell contracts where appropriate for assigned commodities.
• Maintain vendor/commodity/item/contract information in university financial system re database for access for all University departments.
• Conduct university bids, negotiate strategic sourcing agreements and contracts for services.
• Serve as subject matter experts for procurement, participate in collaborative discussions, provide training.
• Provide guidance and interpretation of Cornell policies, ensure compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Manage complex supplier engagements and contract review and negotiation.
• Develop and maintain collegial and productive relationships, effectively communicate, work collaboratively, and provide exceptional customer service to audiences spanning across all levels of the university.
• Participate in creating contract records in the university’s contracts management tool or financial system.
• Work with internal groups when engaging colleges and units in spend reviews and data analysis and other operations functions and with outside suppliers, Finance, Legal, Risk Management, and Environment Health & Safety within Cornell University and Sourcing Peers. Manage large strategic sourcing projects as assigned.

Note:

• This is a 2 year term appointment which may be ended or extended based on organizational needs, funding availability, and performance.
• All employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of collegiality, integrity, initiative, excellence, civility, and stewardship; and supporting inclusive and sustainable practices in carrying out everyday responsibilities. E very member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others

What we need:
We are seeking a resourceful and team-oriented professional that can effectively work with internal groups as we engage colleges and units in spend reviews and data analysis and other Operations functions and with outside suppliers, Finance, Office of General Counsel, Risk Management, and Environment Health & Safety within Cornell University and Sourcing Peers. Procurement Agents manage large strategic sourcing projects as assigned.

Additionally, you will have:

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in Business, Finance, Supply Chain Management or Supply Management, with 3 to 5years of procurement experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Progressive experience in procurement including strategic sourcing, supplier management and development, and data analysis.
• Proficient and comfortable in the development and presentation of strategy, negotiation proposals, as well as presentation to senior executives.
• Highly motivated, self-directed and perform responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• The ability to work in a complex, high demand environment with experience in using reasoning skills and sound judgment in the identification and investigation of complex issues.
• Ability to work well in an ever-changing environment and bring stability to the role and its function.
• An ability to independently plan and prioritize responsibilities to meet competing deadlines while working under pressure.
• Must be customer service oriented and able to work productively in a team-based environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and concisely in verbal and written formats to a wide variety of constituents required while building and maintaining solid working relationships with a broad range of people.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more items that we would prefer you to have, but not required:

• MBA.
• Procurement/CPM certification and membership in the National Association of Education Procurement (NAEP), or the Institute of Supply Management (ISM)highly desirable.

What we offer:

Great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options to choose from, generous paid leave provisions: 3 weeks of vacation, 14 university paid holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year’s Day) and superior retirement contributions.

An active and diverse community to work and thrive in, Cornell is situated in picturesque Ithaca, New York, the heart of the Finger Lakes. Ithaca is home to two academic institutions, state parks, waterfalls, gorges, and a wide range of art galleries, theaters, eateries, wineries, and breweries. Ithaca has something to suit all ages and interests!

University Job Title:

Purchasing Agent III

Job Family:

Administration

Level:

F

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$72,209.00 - $82,519.00

Remote Option Availability:

Remote

Company:

Contact Name:

Susie Jackson

Contact Email:

smm77@cornell.edu

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates

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Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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2026-05-19