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Penn State Job Catalog

Procurement Assistant – Intermediate Support (PSU0305)

Additional Levels

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

Job Summary and Representative Duties

Procurement Assistants review, prepare, verify and approve shopping carts within established dollar limits and guidelines in the University system in order to process purchase orders to various suppliers for departments; verify fair and reasonable pricing and documenting purchase order files in accordance with University policies and procedures; correspond with suppliers and customers to solve problems, share information, and ensure accurate payment.

  • Prepare, edit, and process purchase orders within establish dollar limits and University policy
  • Contact vendors and suppliers for quotations, and follow up on outstanding purchase orders
  • Ensure all transactions meet government regulations and University policies and procedures
  • Assist Procurement Managers and Agents with vendor research and negotiations; obtain information on price, delivery, payment, specifications, and purchase order terms
  • Use a variety of electronic systems and databases to import and create documents, track vendor information and payments, create auctions, compose correspondence, create and process purchase orders, requests for proposal, and various financial transactions
  • Identify and resolve discrepancies; obtain vendor certifications and certificates of liability insurance when required
  • Assist in monitoring internal and external customer satisfaction
  • May perform general office duties such as mail distribution, answering phones and greeting visitors

Level Matrix

Level:
Intermediate Support
Base Description:
– Completes administrative activities and tasks of a technical or functional nature.
Level Summary:
– Demonstrates ability to perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas. Demonstrates intermediate knowledge of internal procedures. Works under general supervision, performing assignments that may be varied and sometimes difficult. Supports team decisions and follows through with team responsibilities. Interprets and communicates information clearly and accurately. Demonstrates intermediate problem–solving skills.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
– May provide basic direction to lower level support staff
Fiscal Responsibilities:
– Handles routine financial transactions
– May validate and pay invoices
Problem Solving:
– Encounters generally routine problems; occasionally faces more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– Applies knowledge of institutional policies and procedures in determining course of action
Independence of Action:
– Work is generally monitored by supervisor
– Detailed instructions and procedures are generally provided
– Uses available guidelines to make appropriate adaptations to routine situations and refers other situations to supervisor
Communication and Collaboration:
– Communicates internally within working unit and/or the University
– May communicate with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly and accurately both verbally and in written materials that may be intended for distribution
Salary Structure
  • Comp Grade – 5
  • Minimum – $38,300.00
  • MidPoint – $46,900.00
  • Maximum – $55,500.00
Critical Skills
  • Attention To Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Data entry
  • Digital literacy
  • ERP Software
  • File management
  • Negotiation
  • Office management
  • Records management
  • Scheduling
FLSA Exemption Status
Non-Exempt
Minimum Education
  • General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
  • High School (HS)
Minimum Experience
2+ years of relevant experience
Equivalency
An equivalent combination of education and experience accepted