Purchasing and Warehouse Manager, Department of Central Purchasing

Department

Job Posting Title

Job Description

Oversee daily purchases of the University utilizing contracts and working with vendors to obtain best pricing. Manage regular and campus standard purchases and ensures procedures are in compliance with University and State requirements. The Purchasing and Warehouse manager provides direction and leadership in the management of procurement purchasing warehouse and mail center operations to ensure cost effective and efficient operations. The employee should demonstrate leadership in procurement in higher education negotiation skills shipping receiving and mail experience and managing office staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for university-wide spend management efforts; participate with Administration and Finance leadership in the establishment communication and implementation of business goals and cost-saving initiatives.
• Develop goals business plans and an annual operating budget; implement short and long-term operational strategies for the division and University.
• Build effective relationships internally with customers and business partners; ensure robust communication between procurement and customers.
• Develop programs to provide clients with strategic options around the source-to-settlement lifecycle and best practice processes.
• Keep abreast of industry best practices in purchasing procurement and warehouse management; implement improvements and innovations continuously.
• Ensure compliance with University policies and government regulations; interact with the Purchasing Director Accounts Payable and the internal auditor to implement audit and procurement recommendations as needed.
• Create and maintain detailed and accurate reports and documentation to check for appropriate authorization and compliance with contracts.
• Provide supervision and guidance to the Central Purchasing and Mail Center staff. Assist employees with the establishment and achievement of individual and functional unit goals. Serving as a general resource for staff needs and requests.
• Manage shipping and receiving of all freight packages and mail for the University. Maintain knowledge of USPS UPS FedEx and DHL domestic and international shipping procedures and requirements.
• Operate Pitney Bowes and other mail processing machines and software.
• Comply with University procurement guidelines to acquire and maintain all warehouse and mail center tools and equipment.
• Operate equipment such as forklifts and pallet jacks safely and effectively in accordance with OSHA requirements. Safely load unload or move items as needed by University faculty and staff.
• Oversee and maintain various vendor platforms such as Amazon and Staples. Work with vendor representatives to manage accounts and business relationships. Provide training and assistance to university users. Review and approve orders to ensure consistency with university procedures and vendor programs.
• Manage the QuickBooks online point of sale software. Work with Accounts Payable and Technology Services to set up custom reports for the transferring of both departments weekly and monthly invoices to the N: drive and the transfer to Workday.
• Collaborate with Technology Services to develop and maintain the central purchasing website. Ensure the website is aesthetically pleasing easy to use and includes all functions necessary to fulfill the needs of both Central Purchasing and the University as a whole.
• Perform other purchasing- and warehouse-related duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associates degree in business management or related field or 3 years experience in lieu of degree.
• Minimum three years of purchasing and warehouse or related experience.

Preferred Qualification

• Bachelors degree
• 5 plus years of experience in related field
• OSHA certification for propane and electric forklifts up to 6000 lbs.
• OSHA certification for pallet jacks
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel
• Proficiency with Intuit Quickbooks Online or similar business Point of Sale software
• Outstanding customer service and interpersonal skills
• Supervisory Experience

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit at a desk and operate a computer regularly
• Ability to walk to and from campus buildings
• Ability to lift and carry objects up to 100 lbs.
• Endure unfavorable weather conditions to unload load and move packages and objects

Salary: $19.06/hour

Benefits: To review our competitive benefit package please visit FHSU Benefits.

Priority Deadline: October 7th 2025. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately following the priority deadline and will continue until the position is filled.

Application Process: To apply for this position please visit FHSU Careers. Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.

Required Application Documents: Applicants should submit a resume and names and contact information for three professional references.

Applicant documents must be submitted in one PDF.

Community of Hays

FHSU is located in Hays a vibrant college town of approximately 20000 located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education health care professional services shopping culture and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement Hays Aquatic Park Smoky Hill Country Club Hays Municipal Golf Course and extensive walking running and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating fishing and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12 public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants major retail outlets a low unemployment rate and very short commute times the city provides a safe welcoming low-cost high-quality living environment for the residents who call Hays America home.

Notice of Non-discrimination Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender race religion national origin color age marital status sexual orientation genetic information disability or veteran status.

Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.

Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or for further information on how this might affect you.