International Procurement Specialist/Sr. Specialist at University of Maryland1

Duties and Responsibilities

Procurement of Goods & Services

• Ensure that procurement processes are executed with the highest standards of business integrity and in compliance with U.S. Government rules and regulations, as well as UMB and MGIC policies and procedures.
• Provide thorough and accurate documentation of procurement processes.
• Ensure procurement records are updated and maintained in accordance with UMB and MGIC standards.
• Support management, reporting, and oversight of real or potential conflicts of interest.

Procurement Planning

• Work with UMB program units to establish a Procurement Plan at the beginning of each project year, to be updated at least quarterly.
• Establish key lead times for international procurements to be communicated to staff for planning purposes.
• Minimize lead times and reduce the need for “urgent” requests by improving procurement planning and communication about procurement processes with the UMB units.

Procurement Training

• Educate the UMB program units about procurement processes, requirements, and established lead times.
• Support internal clients to understand the importance of providing detailed specifications, planning ahead, and providing feedback about samples and goods/services received.

Vendor Management

• Conduct a thorough market survey at least every two years to refresh UMB and MGIC’s preferred international vendor list.
• Maintain an international vendor database with extensive vendor information, including but not limited to: vendor address and contact information, vendor principal information, physical location verification, etc.
• Closely track international vendor performance and develop a list of disallowed vendors based on prior organizational history and client experience.
• Undertake contract management processes for all contracts and orders placed.

Compliance

• Engage with the UMB program units and MGIC in-country compliance teams to improve the compliance rating.

Performance Management

• Monitor, and review the status of tasks and update management on the progress of the department’s functions.
• Evaluate international procurement performance using key performance indicators used to monitor the procurement process

Support & Collaboration

• Liaise with UMB and MGIC finance and other departments to ensure invoice payments are properly documented and processed in a timely manner.

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or other related fields
• Professional certifications such as CIPS or other from a recognized professional body

Language

• Required level of proficiency in English (speaking, reading, and writing)

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

Experience

• Five (5) years of international procurement experience in international development

Specialized Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of procurement of international goods and services