Travel/Procurement Manager

UCF's College of Sciences Finance Business Center (COS FBC) is seeking a Travel/Procurement Manager responsible for overseeing all travel and purchasing activities to support the academic and research missions of the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Sciences. This role ensures timely acquisition of goods and services in compliance with institutional policies, budgetary guidelines, and applicable regulatory standards.

Responsibilities:

• Direct the daily workflow and supervision of the CECS and COS Travel and Procurement team. Ensure the team is keeping on task and following all federal, state, and UCF policies and guidelines while performing their job functions.

• Provide consulting, training, and guidance to the Travel and Procurement Coordinator (TPC) team as needed. Train the TPC team on the new tools and strategies for success in their day-to-day tasks. Assist in training for other team members as needed.

• Review and approve various tasks within Workday for the TPC team. 

• Conduct performance appraisals for the TPC team annually.

• Manage day-to-day purchasing operations and resolve issues as they arise.

• Make recommendations to strengthen processes within CECS and COS to comply with both federal and state audit requirements.

• Verify that purchases are allowable on the requested funding source (i.e., C&G/E&G) while ensuring the validity of balances and end dates for sponsored projects by working closely with CECS & COS accounting and the post-award team.

• Manage the facilitation of all solicitations, waivers, legal reviews, and contract validity for both domestic and foreign purchases being requested. 

• Act as a liaison with Central Procurement (kNext), Office of Research, F&A, General Counsel, and Property/Inventory to ensure compliance with relevant policies and procedures.

• Maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers. Lead negotiations for sales vendors/solicitors, regarding quotations, bids, returns, and accounts payable/receivable. Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to sales and services. 

• Coordinate accounts with all vendors to ensure a smooth acquisition-to-payment process.

• Coordinate equipment acquisition, delivery, and installation needs with engineering, facilities, and IT departments.

• Work closely with EHS to maintain compliance regarding controlled substance and bio-hazardous material purchases. 

• Coordinate collection, compilation, analysis, and submission of data for administrative reports for cost studies or as requested by administration.

• Other duties and special projects as assigned to accomplish the overall mission of the School, including but not limited to the timely completion of university and college trainings and updates.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to develop and provide a training program for the Travel & Procurement Team.

• Experience with Workday or other ERP systems.

• Ability to develop Standard Operating procedures that ensure internal controls.

• Experience managing a large team.

• Experience working in higher education.

• Experience in travel and procurement, preferably at UCF.

The most successful candidates may possess the following qualities: 

• Highly organized and detail-oriented.

• Ability to work collaboratively and be part of a team environment while developing highly effective and valued professional relationships with peers, colleagues, and cross-functional teams.

• Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment.

• Strong presentation skills.

• Creative problem-solving skills.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

In addition to the application, applicants should submit a cover letter and resume.

If you are selected as the final candidate for an employment opportunity, both your position and salary will be significantly based upon the information that you have provided in your application for employment. We urge you to please take the time to complete the application in its entirety.

This is a reposted position. Previous applicants are still being considered and do not need to reapply.

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 13 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 the UCF Employee Benefits Guide.

Dive into our Total Rewards Calculator to 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.