Buyer I - Procurement

Minimum Qualifications:

High School Diploma and two (2) years of work experience in an office environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in procurement, finance, or administrative support.

Job Summary:

The Buyer I supports the procurement of routine goods and services by processing purchase requisitions, issuing purchase orders, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and institutional policies. This entry-level role provides front-line procurement support and customer service while maintaining accuracy and timeliness in purchasing operations. 

Job Duties:

• Troubleshoot ordering errors and reprocess appropriately. 
• Coordinate with vendors to confirm purchase order receipt, clarify order details, and ensure timely delivery.
• Identify and resolve 2-way/3-way match exceptions involving invoices, purchase orders, and receipts. Add relevant comments to purchase orders and flag anomalies for review or escalation. 
• Communicate with vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure timely order placement, delivery, and issue resolution. 
• Support the institution’s Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) purchasing efforts in alignment with program goals. 
• Maintain compliance with all applicable UTMB, state, and federal procurement regulations and policies. 
• Perform accurate data entry and maintain organized purchasing records and documentation. 
• Provide general information and guidance to customers and vendors regarding purchasing procedures and policies. 
• Perform administrative support tasks, including answering calls, filing, copying, and maintaining backup documentation. 
• Adhere to internal controls and follow established reporting structures. 
• Review and process purchase requisitions for routine goods and services, ensuring accuracy and compliance with procurement policies. 
• Issue purchase orders using the institution’s online procurement system in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and procedures. 
• Manage vendor returns as needed. 
• Perform related duties as required.  

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Basic understanding of procurement and accounting principles. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to work with databases and spreadsheets. 
• Capacity to troubleshoot order discrepancies, resolve supplier issues, and handle unexpected procurement challenges effectively. 
• Ability to manage multiple orders and tasks efficiently, prioritize workload, and meet deadlines consistently. 
• Clear verbal and written communication to collaborate with vendors, internal stakeholders, and team members, ensuring mutual understanding and timely resolution of issues. 
• Attention to detail with strong proofreading skills. 
• Problem-solving abilities and sound judgment in resolving basic issues. 
• Professional telephone etiquette and customer service mindset. 

Salary Range:

Actual salary commensurate with experience.

Work Schedule:

Partial Remote, onsite a minimum of two days a week. Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, and as needed on occasion.