Procurement & Contracts Specialist

Knights Experience Team (kNEXT):

The University of Central Florida’s (UCF’s) Knights Experience Team (kNEXT) primarily provides customer service to the Finance Business Centers (FBCs) and the Human Resources Business Centers (HRBC's) employees, assisting with various tasks as needed. kNEXT also provides administrative support services to staff across all colleges and divisions of the University. kNEXT is designed to reduce the administrative burden on individual colleges, consolidate transaction-based functions, create economies of scale, and improve backroom process efficiency so the colleges can better focus resources on their mission.

The team is made up of HR Specialists and Travel & Procurement Specialists, who will provide information and support across campus, reduce administrative burden, and empower employees to learn and grow. These Specialists will operate as campus experts on processes and procedures, support training and development, provide specialized reporting and analytics, and support central office transactions. All employees within kNEXT will also work to continuously improve processes and workflows.
The purpose of kNEXT is to ensure that the services provided meet or exceed expected performance levels and satisfy the needs of the faculty/staff/students (colleges/divisions).

The Opportunity:

As a subject matter expert within the Knights Experience Team (kNEXT), the Procurement & Contracts Specialist plays a key role in how UCF acquires goods and services across the university. You will ensure purchasing activities remain compliant with state procurement laws and public bidding requirements, administer contracts, manage formal solicitation processes, and negotiate directly with suppliers to secure the best value for UCF. This is a highly visible, collaborative role — you will partner with faculty, staff, department heads, and Finance Business Centers university-wide, serving as a trusted resource on all things procurement.

Classification Title: Travel & Procurement Specialist III

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the procurement of assigned services and commodities within designated authorized dollar limits. Review, process, and approve requisitions, change orders, and supplier contracts verifying accompanying documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant in accordance with applicable policies and regulations.

• Assist, prepare, and issue solicitations for bid ensuring all documentation has been submitted timely, complete, and compliant in accordance with applicable policies and regulations. Evaluate and analyze bid responses, conduct negotiations, and develop recommendations for awards. Execute and maintain awarded contracts and process renewals and/or terminations.

• Review and analyze procurement contracts, leases, and pricing agreements making recommendations and changes, as needed. Review exceptional purchases, Waiver of Competitions, and Sole Source Certifications in accordance with applicable policies and regulations to determine validity.

• Manage and review open requisitions, purchase orders, and receipts as needed to close or cancel in a timely and efficient manner.

• Serve as a liaison in discussions between the University and suppliers regarding solicitations, procurement procedures and issues, shipping, and receiving ensuring compliance with contract or agreement terms and conditions.

• Support Travel/Procurement Coordinators within the Finance Business Centers (FBCs) as experts on procurement-related processes and procedures.

• Continuously review and improve processes to increase operational efficiency and effectiveness. Support procurement training efforts. 

• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

High School Diploma or equivalent and (4+) years of relevant experience or combination of relevant comparable education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in procurement, contracting, or sourcing, preferably in a public sector or higher education environment.

• Familiarity with public procurement regulations, including state purchasing laws and competitive bidding requirements.

• Experience managing formal solicitation processes such as ITBs and ITNs.

• Contract administration experience, including reviewing, negotiating, and maintaining procurement contracts and pricing agreements.

• Supplier relationship management experience, including identifying and evaluating vendors and securing competitive terms.

• Experience with Workday, PeopleSoft, or a comparable ERP system.

• Strong service orientation with experience working across departments or supporting a broad range of stakeholders.

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, public administration, or related field.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

The anticipated salary range for this position is $54,203 - $59,684. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations.

All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H‑1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.

Classification Title: Travel & Procurement Specialist III

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 12 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck. 

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program   

• Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays  

• Retirement savings options   

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions   

• Education assistance   

• And more…For more benefits information, view theUCF Employee Benefits Guide. 

Dive into our Total Rewards Calculatorto discover the diverse selection available to you, giving you a glimpse into the benefits that together shape your comprehensive rewards package at UCF. 

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

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