Overview

Job Location:
Little Rock

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Closing Date:

06/10/2025

Type of Position:

Professional Staff – Project/Program Administration

Workstudy Position:

No

Job Type:

Regular

Work Shift:

Day Shift (United States of America)

Sponsorship Available:

No

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a metropolitan research university that provides an accessible, quality education through flexible learning and unparalleled internship opportunities. At UA Little Rock, we prepare our more than 8,900 students to be innovators and responsible leaders in their fields. Committed to its metropolitan research university mission, UA Little Rock is a driving force in Little Rock's thriving cultural community and a major component of the city and state's growing profile as a regional leader in research, technology transfer, economic development, and job creation.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.  To apply for the position, please click the Apply link/button.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process please contact Human Resources at 501-916-3180.

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 501-916-3180.

Department:

Finance & Admin

Department's Website:

Summary of Job Duties:

The Director of Procurement is responsible for managing the procurement functions of the university, serving under the Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance. The director will work collaboratively with university personnel to develop, recommend, and implement policies, practices, and procedures for the procurement operations in accordance with federal, state, and university regulations and policies. Salary is negotiable depending on qualifications and experience. A comprehensive benefit package is provided.

Qualifications:

Required Education and/or Experience:

  • An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;

  • Minimum of five (5) years of progressive work experience managing procurement functions in a large organization or government entity with no less than three years of negotiation experience;

  • Experience with principles and techniques of public acquisition sufficient to write specifications, and evaluate and research products;

  • Four (4) years of supervisory experience.

Preferred Education and/or Experience:

  • Master’s degree and ten (10) years management experience in a higher education environment;

  • Government purchasing or contract experience;

  • Experience and knowledge of state procurement laws, rules, policies and procedures sufficient to interpret, apply and communicate them.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provide guidance to department staff of seven (7) and university personnel on proper procurement methods in accordance with state laws, rules, policies, and practices.

  • Develop, review, and administer university procurement and travel policies;

  • Collaborate and coordinate Workday spend related business process improvement projects with the University of Arkansas System;

  • Collaborate and coordinate implementation of spend related third-party software solutions that integrate with Workday;

  • Maintain a working knowledge of Workday business process by staying abreast of Workday enhancements;

  • Actively participate in UA System Workday enhancement working group meetings.

  • Develop and provide campus-wide training programs on spend related Workday business processes;

  • Issue purchase orders and analyze procurement transactions;

  • Administer P-Card program;

  • Administer CTS travel card program;

  • Coordinate training for campus users on how to create purchase requisitions and how to review spend transactions;

  • Review, approve and assign spend related security role requests.

  • Review and reassign unassigned Workday tasks;

  • Engage with campus end users to assess and recommend new security roles to meet business needs;

  • Maintain a working knowledge of Workday spend related business process approval routing;

  • Maintain close relationship with other Arkansas Agency Procurement Officials to enhance and encourage exchange of information and knowledge;

  • Issue bids – IFBs, RFPs, RFQs, RFIs;

  • Set the goals and objectives for the Procurement Department and ensure their execution;

  • Assist the university’s contract review manager in negotiations with vendors on terms, conditions, pricing, and vendor performance;

  • Assist the university’s contract review manager in resolving contract and breach of contract controversies and suspension and debarment issues;

  • Develop and promote staff development programs for all procurement staff, to encourage personal and professional growth;

  • Assist departments in preparing specifications for major procurement projects;

  • Plan and coordinate the distribution of procurement requests and bids, review work assignments for accuracy, assist buyers in specialty areas, and keep staff abreast of state and agency/university procurement procedures;

  • Meet with vendors concerning new products, notify vendors of procurement policies, evaluate vendor performance, and compose vendor complaints to forward to state procurement office;

  • Prepare various activity reports, prepare minority vendor report, submit information for budget reports, update item files for mechanized accounting system, and train personnel to submit orders electronically to companies;

  • Serve on advisory committees on procurement policies, attend seminars to keep abreast of procurement policies, attend staff meetings, and serve as liaison to coordinate procurement activities;

  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Knowledge of organizational management and supervisory practices;

  • Ability to communicate procurement laws, rules, policies, and practices to faculty, administrators, staff, and students as well as to procurement staff;

  • Ability to review and analyze vendor and agency issues as they pertain to the procurement process and recommend proper course of action to meet goals and objectives.

  • Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with all levels of state government, vendors, and manufacturers;

  • Ability to accomplish agency mission, goals, and objectives;

  • Knowledge of Arkansas state and agency/institution procurement laws and procedures.

  • Knowledge of specifications and contracts;

  • Ability to resolve problems between departments and vendors;

  • Ability to formulate and interpret policies and procedures relating to procurement.

  • Ability to supervise procurement staff;

  • Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with academic leaders, faculty, staff, students, and vendors;

  • Strong supervisory and dispute resolution skills;

  • Strong time management and planning skills;

  • Ability to set clear goals, and through effective communication, share those goals with staff;

  • Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external constituents;

  • Knowledge of procurement and travel laws and regulations;

  • Demonstrated expertise in drafting and analyzing bid documents, contracts, RFPs, and/or other agreements while assuring compliance with applicable laws;

  • Demonstrated high level of proficiency in the Microsoft Office software applications;

  • Strong knowledge of procurement technology applications.

Additional Information:

Salary Information:

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume

Optional Documents:

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Recruitment Contact Information:

Lacie Barkley
Operations Manager
501.916.5624, [email protected]

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS  

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Financial Credit Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

Feeling, Grasping, Hearing, Kneeling, Lifting, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Pulling, Pushing, Reaching, Repetitive Motion, Sitting, Standing, Stooping, Talking, Walking

Frequent Physical Activity:

Feeling, Hearing, Kneeling, Lifting, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Pulling, Talking, Walking

Occasional Physical Activity:

Lifting, Pushing

Benefits Eligible:

Yes