Procurement Manager

• Job Type : Officer of Administration
• Regular / Temporary : Regular
• Hours Per Week : 35
• Salary Range : $63,700 - $72,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training.

The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Procurement, the Procurement Manager serves as the point person for high volume departmental activities involving all procurement systems, contracting, CONCUR travel and expense reporting, and Accounts Payable.

The Procurement Manager will serve as a point person as needed and assigned to administrative staff, clients / vendors as well as senior leadership, monitoring Departmental requests, anticipating needs, advising on procedures and policies, and ensuring compliance with university purchasing standards, rules, and regulations.

Responsible for staying updated on University policies and procedures. The ideal candidate must possess strong customer service and project management skills.

For over a century, Columbia Business School has helped develop leaders and builders of enterprises who drive value for their stakeholders and society at large through our MBA, MS, PhD, and Executive Education programs.

We are equally committed to cultivating new scholars and teachers, and to creating and disseminating pathbreaking knowledge, concepts, and tools which advance the understanding and practice of management through our faculty research and PhD programs.

Our vision is simple : to develop ideas and leaders that transform the world-from the very center of business. Our ever-evolving curriculum - featuring pioneering courses, STEM certification, and immersive experiential learning -prepares students to excel in key areas such as digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and innovation, twenty-first century finance, the intersection of business and society, and climate and sustainability.

The CBS administration enables CBS' educational and scholarly mission through strategic and operational guidance and support, optimizing School resources through well-designed, transparent processes with a culture of respect for all.

Responsibilities

Procurement Management & Compliance

• Compile and process a high volume of departmental purchase orders, submit purchase order requisitions for Financial Planning Office (FPO) approval and Central Procurement final approval in ARC.
• Review, compile and process hotel, and event contracts, ensuring timely and compliant submissions. Assist in drafting contract amendments using Central Procurement-approved guidelines, terms, and conditions.

Categorize expense types, verify required documentation, and review contract terms and conditions.

• Review and provide feedback on agreements submitted to the Financial Planning Office, ensuring compliance with university competitive procurement standards.
• Maintain communication with departments to ensure their service and goods procurement needs are met and align with university policies.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with the University's Directors of Accounts Payable, Procurement, and General Accounting.
• Consult with these offices to clarify policies and procedures for School faculty and staff.

Financial Reporting & Expense Management

• Review and approve P-Card, Corporate Card, and CONCUR Travel / Expense Report submissions.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and deadlines, and reconcile purchases on behalf of staff and faculty.
• Support purchase requests and provide feedback on fund availability.

Accounts Payable Support

• Collaborate with the FPO team to ensure accurate information for purchase order (PO)-related accounts payable transactions.
• Serve as a backup for processing AP invoices, TBERs (travel and business expense reimbursements), check requests, and wire transfers in the Accounts Payable System (ARC).

Vendor Management

• Initiate new vendor setups and vendor profile modifications, providing feedback to requestors on the status, best practices, and communications from Columbia Vendor Management.
• Adhere to and enforce University policies and procedures related to vendor management.

Reconciliation & Issue Resolution

• Independently identify, research, and resolve discrepancies during the reconciliation process.
• Interpret financial and system reports, understanding interactions between systems to resolve issues.
• Perform other duties as needed and assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and / or equivalent related experience required. Minimum 2-4 years of related experience required.

Proven experience in the daily processing of large batches of vouchers.

Must have knowledge of generally accepted accounting and financial practices (GAAP) to manage and process accurate and timely payments to our customers both external and internal.

Must be computer literate, proficient in MS Office applications and have familiarity with Enterprise Financial Systems.

Able to communicate effectively both verbally and written across all levels of the Business School and the University.

The Accounts Payable Officer must be able to work independently, maintain confidentiality, always make decisions under pressure and exercise tact and diplomacy.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.