Western Governors University · 17 hours ago
Procurement Buyer II - Supplier Relations and Contract Negotiation
Durham, NC
Full-time, Contract
Hybrid
Mid Level
$80K/yr - $120K/yr
4+ years expWestern Governors University is committed to expanding access to higher education through innovative online programs. The Procurement Buyer II will focus on supplier relations and contract negotiation, leading sourcing efforts to maximize value, manage risk, and ensure reliable delivery of goods and services for the university.
Higher Education
No H1B
Responsibilities
Evaluate new and existing supplier capabilities, including risk, quality, pricing, and delivery performance, to ensure they meet WGU standards
Lead sourcing efforts and RFx activity: invite and receive bids, evaluate prices, discounts, and delivery conditions, and make award recommendations and selections
Negotiate contracts, terms, SLAs, KPIs, and pricing with suppliers and service providers to secure the best combination of cost, quality, and service in your assigned categories
Partner closely with Finance and Legal to review, negotiate, and implement contracts and statements of work for curriculum, materials, equipment, facilities, supplies, and services
Review and process contract, bid, and purchase order requests; monitor purchase orders and contracts for conformance to company policies and resolve issues with POs, billing, and payments
Maintain accurate records of contracts and orders, administer purchasing systems, and keep purchasing instructions, policies, and procedures current while educating employees to ensure compliance
Monitor market conditions and trends, assist with forecasting and spend analysis, identify cost‑savings opportunities and adverse trends, and recommend process and policy improvements that reduce risk
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree and 4 years of current procurement or supply chain experience, or equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job
Experience using modern procurement or sourcing SaaS solutions (for example: supplier management, RFx automation, contract lifecycle management, or purchasing systems). Ability to analyze data and manage workflows within cloud‑based procurement tools
Knowledge of the principles and practices of purchasing, including purchasing ethics, standards, and the competitive bidding process, as well as when to use POs versus contracts
Strong understanding of key PO and contract terms and conditions and more complex cost/pricing analysis to support sound sourcing decisions
Demonstrated negotiation and organizational skills, including the ability to negotiate business terms with suppliers such as price, delivery, quality, and payment terms
Ability to learn new technologies quickly, administer purchasing systems, and adapt effectively to changing priorities and business needs
Excellent decision making, attention to detail, and proficiency with Microsoft Office products to analyze data, prepare documentation, and communicate clearly
Strong communication and relationship‑building skills with the ability to coordinate across departments (e.g., Finance, Legal, and business stakeholders) and with external suppliers
Preferred
Experience developing and managing SLAs, KPIs, and various sourcing strategies across multiple categories (such as materials, facilities, and services)
Demonstrated success leading moderate to complex sourcing projects and negotiations that delivered measurable cost savings and risk reduction
Background in identifying purchasing and supply issues, surfacing them to leadership, and recommending improvements that enhance compliance, efficiency, or value
Benefits
Bonuses
Medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare
Health savings account and flexible spending account
Basic and voluntary life insurance
Disability coverage
Accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages
Legal and identity theft coverage
Retirement savings plan
Wellbeing program
Discounted WGU tuition
Flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual
Flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual
11 paid holidays
Other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave
Company
Western Governors University
Western Governors University focuses on improving lives by creating pathways to opportunity for its students.
5001-10000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
unknownKey Investors
Kauffman Foundation
2025-05-08Grant
Leadership Team
Stephen Herzig
Vice President of Enterprise Solutions
Kacey Thorne
Senior Director, Academic Strategic Initiatives
Recent News
2025-12-02
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