FLSA EMPLOYMENT CATEGORY: Salaried; Exempt; Administrative; Full time
DEPARTMENT: Financial Services
POSITION SUMMARY:
This position will be responsible for managing all phases of the college’s purchasing operations, ensuring efficient, compliant, and cost-effective procurement practices.
SUPERVISON RECEIVED/EXERCISED:
This position is supervised by the Director of Finance/Controller and has no supervisory responsibilities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Coordinate purchasing activities for the college.
- Develop and monitor purchasing procedures in alignment with the college’s purchasing policy.
- Oversee administration of the purchasing card program.
- Train employees on purchasing procedures and best practices.
- Create and maintain purchasing manuals and guidelines.
- Work with faculty/staff to support their purchasing needs.
- Approve purchase requisitions and generate purchase orders.
- Work with vendors to streamline purchasing processes and improve efficiency.
- Assist in negotiating vendor discounts and pricing agreements.
- Assist staff employees in preparing bids and related procurement documents.
- Serve as the college’s representative for purchasing cooperatives – Omnia, E&I, etc.
- Assist with travel arrangements (airline, bus, rental car, etc.).
- Act as the primary contact for establishing and maintaining blanket purchase orders.
- Maintain fixed asset inventory for the college, tracking additions and disposals.
- Conduct fixed asset inventories as needed.
- Assist with managing various vendor contracts, including but not limited to Amazon, Staples, Enterprise.
- Provide general office support and assist colleagues as needed.
- The above duties and responsibilities are meant to be illustrative and will include other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, supply chain management, or a related discipline preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and procurement experience
- Minimum three years of purchasing experience supplemented by formal accounting coursework
- Proficiency in accounting, finance, and procurement software platforms
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to perform accurate and efficient data entry
- Excellent communication, analytical, and negotiation skills
- Ability to meet tight deadlines and perform effectively in time-sensitive situations
- Experience with Microsoft suite of products, including Excel, Word
- Excellent organizational skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience working with underrepresented, first-generation, Pell-eligible, and diverse populations.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to sit at a desk for long periods of time
- Ability to use a computer for long periods of time
APPLICATION PROCESS:
For full consideration, qualified applicants must complete the following steps:
- submit the Alma College application
- email a letter of interest and resume to careers@alma.edu.
Applications will be accepted through February 27, 2026.
Alma College is classified as a selective Baccalaureate College: Diverse Fields by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Alma is committed to academic excellence and the development of responsible leaders; our students thrive on challenging academic programs in a supportive, small-college environment emphasizing active, collaborative learning and close student-faculty interaction. Alma is a private Phi Beta Kappa institution located in the center of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
Alma College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff, and student body.
Alma College recognizes that we are all transformed when we celebrate and value the varied identities, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives in our campus community. We are committed to recognizing and removing barriers to success and providing equitable access to opportunities through education and advocacy. In our increasingly diverse campus and world, we pledge to create a climate where everyone is safe and free to grow intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally. For more information about the College, visit www.alma.edu.