Purchasing Manager

The Purchasing Manager provides leadership, structure and management for all purchasing related matters to Lincoln Park Zoo. The Purchasing Manager collaborates with and provides support to departments throughout the institution to ensure the timely and cost-effective acquisition of materials/services while maintaining appropriate quality standards. In addition to strategic support, the Purchasing Manager is responsible for negotiating prices as needed, assisting in the selection and management of vendors, working cross-functionally throughout the organization, and coordinating all purchasing activities. This position is a key role within Finance reporting to the Chief Financial Officer.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate commitment to LPZ’s vision, mission and values.
• Collaborate with departments by researching, planning and negotiating on behalf of the user departments to facilitate an efficient methodology for the purchasing of goods and services.
• Consolidate and centralize purchases throughout the organization to take advantage of large volume discounts, eliminate redundancy and introduce best practices.
• Coordinate and collaborate with departments to enhance purchasing related activities; provide direction; develop and provide training; promote consistent practices; and expand services and keep management informed of options and changes.
• Oversee the administration of all contracts submitted for Chief Financial Officer’s signature.
• Incorporate sustainable friendly purchasing requirements
• Developing a system to track environmental impact of purchasing
• Designate certain Preferred Vendors as the sole providers of certain goods or services as a result of special circumstances, competitively bid or negotiate special rates or terms. 
• Develop a 12-month rolling schedule of all active, budgeted or required contracts while also planning for and leading the renewal, renegotiation or rebidding of expiring contracts in a proactive and timely fashion.
• Identify and qualify potential vendors, obtain proposals/quotes, negotiate prices and terms of purchases, issue purchase orders and contracts, and recommend credit card purchases as necessary.
• Request competitive bids for required goods and/or services when cost is expected to exceed $15,000 and/or document reasons for exemptions.  Evaluate vendor qualifications and bids with appropriate staff.
• Follow-up with staff and vendors on the status of orders when irregularities arise.
• Work with the Museum Purchasing Consortium, staff and the business community to develop adequate and reliable sources of supply.
• Monitor the use of vendors who are designated as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) and prepare all required reports documenting such use.
• Responsible for entering and maintaining vendor information accurately and categorized properly for 1099 reporting.
• Assist Accounting in implementing a new accounting software system, including the launch of a formal purchase order (PO) system.
• Maintain training and procedural documentation.
• Develop and/or maintain purchasing policies and procedures that appropriately balance cost, service, quality and other considerations in the purchase of goods and services.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a business field required, retailing or purchasing degrees preferred.

Experience & Characteristics:

• Minimum of five years of experience working in a procurement role with significant authority and autonomy.
• Demonstrated understanding of best procurement practices.
• Ability to provide exceptional internal customer service.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
• The proven ability to establish/maintain relationships and promote a team environment.
• Proficiency with standard business systems (Purchasing, Accounts Payable, and
• ccounting, etc.).
• Salary: $60,000-$65,000/annually
• This position reports to the Chief Financial Officer
• The anticipated start date for this position is October 1st, 2024.
• Lincoln Park Zoo is committed to an environment that is inclusive and welcoming. We celebrate the diverse qualities, perspectives, values, and experiences of all people. 
• Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those with lived experience with racism and/or misogynoir are encouraged to apply.Wildlife.
• For All.

Salary

• $60,000-$65,000/annually