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:

ABOUT US

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university’s mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. With our main campus located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell’s far-flung global presence includes the medical college’s campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.
We offer a rich array of services, programs and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life, including: employee wellness, workshops, childcare and adoption assistance, parental leave, flexible work options

In accordance with the Transaction Authority Policy, as approved by the Board of Trustees, 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 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 Procurement Agents, reporting to the Senior Director, Procurement Services, 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: 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. Every 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.