Director of Purchasing and Contracts
POSITION DETAILS
The Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY) is the focal point for advanced teaching and research at CUNY, the nation's largest urban public university. With over 35 doctoral and master's programs of the highest caliber, the Graduate Center fosters pioneering research and scholarship in the arts and sciences and prepares students for careers in universities and the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. The Graduate Center's commitment to research and scholarship for the public good is exemplified by its more than 30 centers, institutes, and initiatives, including its Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC), a 200,000 square-foot facility in upper Manhattan, designed to promote collaboration among scientists in five areas of global research and innovation: nanoscience, photonics, structural biology, neuroscience, and environmental sciences.
The Graduate Center (GC) benefits from highly ambitious and diverse students and alumni-who in turn teach hundreds of thousands of undergraduates every year. Through its public programs, the Graduate Center enhances New York City's intellectual and cultural life.
The GC seeks an experienced Director of Purchasing and Contracts in the Business Office. Reporting to the Vice President for Finance, the Director of Purchasing and Contracts is responsible for managing and directing all the purchasing and contracting operations for the GC, Macaulay Honors College, and the Advanced Science Research Center, along with the College’s related entities.
This position requires the incumbent to work in the office four days a week and one day remotely. This hybrid work schedule is subject to change.
Responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to the following:
Manages, directs and supervises the Purchasing Office staff of three individuals to assure the proper generation and processing of purchase orders for goods and services in accordance with all the applicable guidelines, policies and regulations; manages staff at the GC and ASRC to coordinate and promote productive working administrative processes and relationships with college departments and applicable CUNY staff;
Responsible for purchases of goods and services for the GC ($14.6 million), ASRC ($5 million) and the Macaulay Honors College ($1.1 million) OTPS budgets;
Processes high dollar value DASNY requests for ASRC and DASNY GRTI for the GC including advertising, and preparation of specifications and solicitation documents;
Prepares and submits requisitions and supporting documentation for orders to DASNY;
Acts as a CUNYfirst (Peoplesoft) Purchasing Module project leader; continues to implement CUNY Purchasing module components to make purchasing staff workload more efficient and effective, and trains Purchasing staff and College faculty and staff on the CUNY procurement module;
Creates and submits procurement system access forms;
Reconciles credit card transactions in the CUNY procurement module
Processes New York City Capital projects including submission of requests, follows up with CUNY Capital Office and OMB, prepares specifications, conducts solicitations, prepares purchase orders, prepares and submits documentation for New York City Comptroller’s Office approval;
Drafts and submits advertisements in the New York State Contract Reporter for procurement in excess of $50,000;
Represents the Business Office in purchasing and contract matters with college department heads, faculty, and administrative directors, providing expertise and guidance that is in the best interest of the GC while serving the needs of the departments;
Manages the Board Resolution process for contracts and purchases in excess of $500,000, including drafting resolutions, meeting the CUNY calendar deadlines and interacting with CUNY liaisons in all phases of the resolution process;
Obtains goods and services necessary for the GC, Macaulay Honors College and the ASRC operations within the parameters of CUNY and New York State procurement regulations. This includes reviewing requests, researching requests by vendor and commodity, creating and implementing contracts for goods and services, determining solicitation requirements, utilizing the university contract and procurement processes such as drafting RFQ's, IFB’s, RFP’s, preparing specifications, conducting bid processes, negotiating and selecting vendors and working within guidelines required by CUNY, New York City and New York State, as applicable;
Participates in university-wide purchasing committees, special projects and professional associations;
Interacts with CUNY liaisons in the Office of the University Comptroller, CUNY Legal Affairs Office, New York State Comptroller’s Office, New York State Attorney General’s Office and the New York City Comptroller’s Office;
Ensures all purchasing of goods and services complies with New York State and CUNY purchasing policies and procedures;
Works to increase the Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) goals for the GC;
Provides reports, metrics, and analyses to the Vice President of Finance on department operations as requested;
Performs other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree and eight years' related experience required.
A preferred candidate should have:
Solid understanding of contracting
From the 8 years of related work experience, 5 years of experience with New York State or New York City purchasing rules is preferred
Previous experience in public higher education
Knowledge of Jagger Purchasing system
Working knowledge of Workday Financial System
Strong written and oral communication skills
CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW
Directs a College's purchasing and contracting operations including staff supervision and legal compliance.
Oversees the procurement of all goods and services necessary for a College's operations within the parameters of CUNY and NYC procurement regulations.
Represents the College on purchasing and contract matters, providing expertise and guidance during the bidding, selection, negotiation and contract processes.
Manages and supervises the purchasing office staff to assure all activities related to goods and services are performed in accordance with the applicable guidelines and regulations.
Manages the Board Resolution process for contracts and purchases in excess of mandated amounts.
Liaisons with College, University and governmental representatives.
Provides reports to the executive administration on department operations as required.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Job Title Name: Finance Procurement Director
CUNY TITLE
Higher Education Officer
FLSA
Exempt
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
$122,202 - $160,827/year.Salary commensurate with education and experience.
CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.
HOW TO APPLY
Please click on "Apply Now" which will bring you to the registration screen. If you are a new user, you must register to apply. If you already have a user ID, please use your existing ID to apply. Please submit a resume and a cover letter in Word or PDF format.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Sponsorship will not be offered for this position.
CLOSING DATE
Open until filled with review of applications to begin on August 31, 2026
JOB SEARCH CATEGORY
CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.
Job ID: 32628
Location: Graduate Center
Job Type: Full-Time
