Purchasing Specialist (Immediate)

KIPP Texas Public Schools is a network of 59 public charter, open-enrollment, pre-k-12 schools educating nearly 34,000 students across Austin, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. Together with families and communities, our mission is to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose —college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Founded in Houston in 1994, and operating as KIPP Texas since 2018, our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in our classrooms, in our offices, and in the communities we serve is unwavering. We are looking to hire a diverse team of dynamic, collaborative, and dedicated individuals with an unyielding belief that every child will succeed. Join our Team and Family and champion equity, chase excellence, persist with purpose, bring joy, and help us rise together.

KIPP Texas is part of the national KIPP network of 255 college-preparatory public charter schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Nationwide, KIPP students complete four-year college at a rate of 36 percent, comparable to the national average for all students and approximately three times higher than the average of students from low-income communities.

You can see all our job opportunities at https://kipptexas.org/join-our-team/.

THE OPPORTUNITY

KIPP Texas is seeking a Purchasing Specialist to procure materials and services for KIPP Texas. This position is based in Houston, Texas. The Purchasing Specialist will be responsible for negotiating and purchasing goods, managing Purchase Orders (creation, tracking, supporting Accounts Payable with invoice matching, and
closeout), ensuring timely delivery of good and services, and engaging our external partners, contractors and subcontractors with the utmost professionalism. Additionally, the Purchasing Specialist will ensure that procurement activities adhere to KIPP Texas policies and procedures, as well state and federal laws and statutes
that govern such activities. Customer service is of paramount importance in this role and of equal importance as the candidate’s attention to detail and buying and/or purchasing acumen. The Purchasing Specialist should expect to support requests from a broad range of stakeholders, from early-career school-based staff to the KIPP
Texas Executive Team. S/he will also partner closely with FP&A Analysts to ensure KIPP Texas’ continued financial sustainability. The Finance team celebrates diversity, understanding the big picture, and always operating with a focus on what is best for our Big and Little KIPPsters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Purchasing Specialist will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:

Manage the Purchase Order process:

• Verify procurement process documentation
• Issue Purchase Orders to vendors, verifying accuracy and required detail
• Resolve vendor issues around outstanding Purchase Orders
• Manage aging of Purchase Orders & review utilization
• Analyze and terminate Purchase Orders lapsing fiscal years, as applicable
• Actively track shipment status & communicate internally to ensure knowledge of, and preparation for delivery
• Maintain thorough understanding of Federal, State and local procurement laws and board policies; ensure communication to applicable stakeholders
• Complete multi-quote cost comparisons
• Negotiate competitive pricing with vendors for goods and services
• Build trust and nurture ongoing internal relationships; this is critical to understanding the needs of the organization and ensuring willingness to engage and provide information, as requested
• Contact vendors to confirm supply and equipment availability
• Identify need and establish corporate accounts with vendors, where beneficial to the organization
• Detect and resolve problems with incorrect orders and shipments
• Review internal Purchase Requests and determine appropriate routing
• Collaborate with Vendor Onboarding in its efforts to source and maintain required vendor information
• Collaborate with Financial Planning & Analysis Analysts to verify available funds prior to undertaking sourcing activities
• Ensure a high level of customer service to meet the needs and requirements of the organization
• Project management and real-time tracking of status of all in-process and upcoming work streams
• Actively seek out professional development opportunities
• Ad hoc tasks, as requested

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of two years of work experience in a fast-paced, high stress environment; experience managing Purchase Orders highly preferred
• Ability to work independently, with minimal ongoing assistance
• Ability to analyze and organize a complex filing system of purchase-related documentation
• Diverse experience valued (purchasing, legal, finance, accounting, military, consulting)
• Positive and professional demeanor, with an exemplary customer service mindset
• Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy
• Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to work with various working styles and different personality types at all levels of management
• Strong problem solving skills
• Strong self-initiative and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and/or projects in a short and compressed time window
• Understanding of laws, policies, and procedures related to the procurement of goods and services

Compensation and Benefits

As a full-time KIPP Texas employee you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Texas’ benefit plans. KIPP Texas offers a robust variety of benefits choices with competitive rates, including medical, dental, and vision options, life insurance, and disability plans.

KIPP provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.