Job Description

Our client, a prominent institution in the higher education space, is seeking a skilled Buyer specializing in Events to join its centralized procurement team. This role is ideal for a procurement professional who thrives on vendor negotiations, contracting, and sourcing services that make large-scale university events come to life. You’ll manage supplier relationships and purchasing activities related to accommodations, event rentals, charters, and more—all while ensuring policy compliance and delivering excellent value.

Projects You’ll Work On:

• Lead sourcing and procurement efforts for event-related goods and services, including hotel accommodations, bus and vessel charters, AV and staging rentals, and other event logistics.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the university and external suppliers, ensuring alignment with event objectives and procurement standards.
• Develop and issue RFPs, evaluate bids, and facilitate supplier selection in collaboration with event stakeholders.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and service-level agreements with vendors to ensure best value while mitigating contractual risk.
• Review and manage contracts and supplier agreements, ensuring they adhere to institutional policies, insurance requirements, and legal standards.
• Maintain vendor records, track performance, and recommend new suppliers based on market trends and historical data.
• Collaborate closely with campus departments to forecast procurement needs and proactively manage timelines to support events of varying scale.

What Experience You Should Bring:

• 3+ years of experience in procurement or strategic sourcing, preferably with exposure to hospitality, marketing, or event categories.
• Solid understanding of vendor contracting, RFP processes, and cost analysis techniques.
• Experience working with service providers such as hotels, bus or vessel charters, catering companies, and AV/event equipment suppliers.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills, with a focus on reducing risk and improving value.
• Ability to communicate effectively across departments, balancing stakeholder needs with compliance and budget considerations.
• Familiarity with procurement platforms or ERP systems (e.g., Jaggaer, Ariba, Oracle, or similar) is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Hospitality, or a related field is preferred.

Why This Role Stands Out:

• Be the behind-the-scenes strategist who ensures every major campus event runs smoothly through smart sourcing and planning.
• Work in a mission-driven environment that values collaboration, integrity, and service excellence.
• Join a high-impact procurement team with opportunities for advancement.

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