Purchasing Assistant

Classification & Regular Hours

Hours per Week: 35

Salary Grade: Level N

About Western

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

About Us

The Mission of the Procurement Services team is to facilitate the best-value procurement of goods and services for Western departments through the use of strong procurement skill sets, solid win-win supplier negotiations, exemplary customer service and exceptional knowledge of procurement standards and guidelines.

Responsibilities

The Purchasing Assistant facilitates the procurement of products and services to vendors in the business product and scientific categories. The Purchasing Assistant is responsible for the review and inspecting of requisitions over specific dollar limits to ensure that goods/services being procured adheres to Western's procurement policy and procedures. The Purchasing Assistant 's role is critical as an approver to ensure that the final order is accurate based on tax requirements given the end point of service/goods delivery. The Purchasing Assistant works closely with Accounts Payables to resolve inquires related to invoice and purchase order discrepancies within certain dollar limits.

Qualifications

Education:

• 2 year community college diploma with a major in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business or related field preferred

Experience:

• 3 years’ experience in a procurement role using a web-based procurement system

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Verbal communication skills to clearly express ideas in an objective manner, and adapt communication style to suit the situation and audience 
• Demonstrated ability take initiative, to work independently and follow through on work assignments
• Ability to apply active listening to hear and understand the complete message being communicated
• Competency to maintain confidentiality and treat sensitive information with discretion
• Demonstrated ability to understand and resolve external and internal partner issues
• Ability to maintain a positive, outgoing attitude with genuine customer service orientation
• Ability to follow formal business practices with high attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and maintain an organized and effective personal work environment
• Adapts readily and effectively to changing priorities and demands
• Personable and courteous in working relationships with colleagues, students and the public
• Ability to demonstrate patience and focus to complete detailed tasks
• Ability to interact professionally with students, staff, faculty, and other members of the University community
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals
• Basic proficiency required in Microsoft Office in order to prepare correspondence and emails, and input data into spreadsheets and databases
• Familiarity with software applications used by Western Financial Services preferred – e.g. PeopleSoft, Mustang Market
• Familiarity with Western policies and guidelines preferred

Union Statement

Western welcomes applications from all qualified individuals; however, it is the university's policy to give first consideration to all qualified UWOSA applicants.

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.  If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

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