Purchasing Agent Level 2 (Finance Purchasing Agent Level 2) - Provisional
GENERAL DUTIES
This class of positions encompasses responsible purchasing of a variety of materials with varying degree of latitude. For independent initiative and judgment and supervisory work of a major subdivision in a large bureau or purchasing organization. There are three assignment levels within this class of positions. All personnel perform related work.
Assignment Level I
Under general supervision, with limited latitude for independent or unreviewed action or decision in accordance with standard procedures and legal requirements, performs work of limited difficulty and responsibility in one or more of the following areas:
Is responsible for the purchase of a volume and variety of materials in assigned fields.
Reviews purchasing requisitions, checking descriptions and specifications to determine their accuracy and adequacy and consults with department and agencies to adjust possible discrepancies.
Analyzes market conditions in relation to recent, current, and anticipated purchases.
Prepares proposals for bidding on items to be purchased.
Develops lists of prospective bidders.
Reviews bids and quotations to determine most reasonable price in relation to market conditions and responsibility of bidders and makes recommendations based on these determinations.
Examines samples of items to determine compliance with specifications or standards, suggesting substitute items when desirable.
Interviews and corresponds with vendors, business representatives and contractors.
Analyzes trade journals, catalogs, directories and other technical material with respect to market and price conditions.
Prepares necessary purchasing documents in accordance with procurement requirements.
May supervise Assistant Purchasing Agents and clerical personnel.
Keeps records and makes copies.
Assignment Level II
Under general supervision, with considerable latitude for independent or unreviewed action or direction, in accordance with standard procedures and legal requirements, handles more complex problems in one or more of the following:
Is responsible for the purchasing of materials in assigned fields which involve a large expenditure of money and the more complex purchasing problems that are continual in nature, due to such factors as seasonal variations, number and variety of items, frequency and extent of emergency purchases, complicated and non-standard nature of items purchased, and liabilities and consequences resulting from purchasing errors.
May incidentally perform duties described under Assignment Level I.
Assignment Level III
Under direction, with wide latitude for independent or unreviewed action or decision, performs supervisory work in one or more of the following, after having performed duties at Assignment Level I and/or II at least two years:
Supervises and coordinates the purchasing activities of a subdivision consisting of two or more commodity units.
Makes investigations in relation to purchase and handles special assignments as required.
Reviews contract and calendar proposals before advertising.
Approves recommendations for contract awards, contract modifications, buy-against transactions, formal requests for time extension on contracts, etc.
Supervises various activities in connection with open market transactions.
Supervises personnel in the titles of Assistant Purchasing Agents and other clerical personnel.
May incidentally perform duties described under lower Assignment Levels.
May, during temporary absence of immediate superior, perform the duties of that individual.
CONTRACT TITLE
Purchasing Agent
FLSA
Non-exempt
CAMPUS SPECIFIC INFORMATION
The Office of Procurement & Supplier Diversity at the City University of New York (CUNY) supports the procurement and purchasing needs of CUNY's 26 colleges. The Procurement & Supplier Diversity Office at Central Office exemplifies world-class effectiveness and efficiency, and centrally leads the Supplier Diversity & Inclusion initiative to ensure NYS certified Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and NYS certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) are provided an equal opportunity to offer goods and services at competitive prices and uses the CUNYBuy procure-to-pay initiative to enhance and streamline procurement and accounts payable functions across CUNY's 26 Colleges.
The Procurement & Supplier Diversity Office seeks an experienced Purchasing Agent. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Sourcing of Procurement, the Purchasing Agent is responsible for high volume purchasing of materials, services and complex emergency purchases for essential items for Central Office and Colleges Shared Services, which also includes Guttman Community College, the Graduate School of Journalism, theSchool of Professional Studies, and the School of Labor and Urban Studies.
Responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to the following:
Handles a high volume of purchasing of materials and services for Central Office and Colleges Shared Services covering categories such as catering services, office furniture, office supplies, promotional supplies, software and IT related hardware and resources for speaking engagements.
Conducts complex emergency purchases for essential items, including accessibility furniture and equipment, emergency electrical and HVAC supplies, as well as other urgent contracts that may arise.
Prepares and reviews specifications for bids and develops lists of prospective bidders for use with Request for Quotes (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP), and Invitation for Bids (IFB).
Interacts with end users and provides guidance on various @types of purchasing methods and processes associated with them.
Places advertisements with the City Record and New York State Contract Reporter which includes forwarding bid documents to prospective bidders and assists in evaluating bid responses.
Prepares award and renewal letters, and related documents for contracts; produces contracts and purchase orders via CUNY's e-procurement and ERP systems.
Prepares:
Purchasing records for procurement files.
Spreadsheets to record progress for purchase requisitions.
Conducts spend analyses by category, vendor, and college; shares ideas, plans, and initiatives for spend optimization.
Assists the Director of Strategic Sourcing with various projects as needed and performs any other purchasing-related activities to support the Procurement department's daily operations.
NOTES:
Until further notice, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.
An appointment to this Competitive title/position in the Classified Civil Service Title Series will be made with a Provisional status. Employees in provisional status must pass a competitive civil service examination and be appointed from a civil service list to remain in the title/position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
High school graduation or its equivalent and four years of full-time, paid experience in purchasing a large volume and/or variety of materials, supplies, or equipment, two years of which may have been in a field closely related to large-scale purchasing such as inspection or specification writing covering a large volume and/or variety of materials, supplies or equipment; OR
A baccalaureate degree, from an accredited college, in marketing , materials testing, mathematics, merchandising, purchasing, retailing, economics, or finance and one (1) year of full-time, paid experience in purchasing a large volume of materials, supplies or equipment; OR
A combination of education and/or experience which is equivalent to 1 or 2.
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
Preferred:
Knowledge of purchasing procedures, New York State Government Contracts, and reporting principles preferred.
Detail-oriented; strong evaluation and research skills.
Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders of various organizational levels.
Ability to work productively as an individual contributor and collaboratively as a team member in a time-sensitive and customer-service oriented office.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to plan, manage a large and varied workload with competing priorities, and consistently meet deadlines.
Proficiency using computers and standard office, financial and relational database applications and systems, especially MS Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, PeopleSoft, and financial systems.
COMPENSATION
Level 1
New Hire Minimum: $52,820
Incumbent Minimum: $59,689
Level 2
New Hire Minimum: $61,445
BENEFITS
CUNY offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees and eligible dependents based on job title and classification. Employees are also offered pension and Tax-Deferred Savings Plans. Part-time employees must meet a weekly or semester work hour criteria to be eligible for health benefits. Health benefits are also extended to retirees who meet the eligibility criteria.
HOW TO APPLY
For full consideration, submit a cover letter and resume online via CUNY's web-based job system, addressing how your experience and credentials meet the responsibilities and qualifications outlined.
The direct link to the job opening from external sources is:
https://hrsa.cunyfirst.cuny.edu/psc/erecruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMSCG/c/HRS\HRAM\FL.HRS\CG\SEARCH\FL.GBL?Page=HRS\APP\JBPST\FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=32059&PostingSeq=1
Current CUNY employees must apply through CUNYfirst Employee Self Service using their login credentials. After you login, click the Careers tile on the Employee Self Service Menu page to view job openings
CLOSING DATE
April 29, 2026.
JOB SEARCH CATEGORY
CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.
Job ID: 32059
Location: Central Office
Job Type: Full-Time
