Position Summary

Support Procurement Excellence at SDSU!

Are you detail-oriented, eager to learn, and excited about sustainable purchasing? Join San Diego State University as a Buyer I and play an important role in advancing SDSU’s mission through smart, responsible procurement practices. In this entry-level role, you will gain valuable experience in the fundamentals of procurement while supporting the university’s educational and financial goals.

Key Responsibilities:

As the Buyer I, you will:

• Procure Essential Supplies and Services: Assist in the purchase of basic equipment, supplies, and services, ensuring compliance with university and state policies.
• Support Competitive Bidding: Learn and assist with bid solicitation procedures under California State Statutes and Codes to ensure fair and responsible purchasing.
• Vendor Coordination: Communicate with vendors and stakeholders, helping to build and maintain positive relationships and ensuring timely delivery of goods.
• Documentation and Record-Keeping: Assist with tracking, documenting, and maintaining records of purchasing transactions for compliance and reporting.
• Sustainability Advocacy: Promote environmentally responsible purchasing practices by identifying and sourcing eco-friendly products and services.

What We Offer:

• Hands-On Experience: Learn procurement operations within a large, respected university setting.
• Mentorship and Growth: Work closely with experienced procurement professionals to build your knowledge and skills.
• Commitment to Sustainability: Contribute to SDSU’s environmental mission through sustainable purchasing initiatives.
• Inclusive Work Culture: Be part of a team that values transparency, respect, and innovation.

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible permanent/probationary position.
• This position is designated non-exempt under FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.
• This position is approved for partial telecommuting with onsite work in San Diego.

Department Summary

The Procure-to-Pay department is responsible for delivering end-to-end procure to pay services and solutions, including leading continuous improvement initiatives in collaboration with the department of Shared Services. Responsibilities include a wide range of contract and procurement management and accounts payable functions.

The Contract and Procurement Management office is responsible for contract administration and procurement processes for San Diego State University, including the Imperial Valley campus.  Under the direct supervision of the Associate Director, Contract and Procurement Management, our mission is to respond to the needs of multiple faculty and staff clients and comply with State legislated purchasing mandates and campus policy. The Contract and Procurement Management office is a fully automated, large-scale unit and encompasses a wide variety of functions from contract and lease negotiations, basic purchasing services of equipment, supplies, materials and professional services to contracting capital and minor construction projects.  Contract and Procurement Management consists of 8-10 buyers, an Accounting Technician, an Administrative Analyst/Specialist, a Contracts Administration Manager, and an Associate Director.  

For more information regarding the Procure-To-Pay Department, click here.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to one year of purchasing experience as a buyer or buyer trainee in a competitive bidding setting or in the processing or administration of contracts, service agreements. or leases. 

or

Equivalent to an undergraduate degree in purchasing, accounting, marketing, general business, or other appropriate field. Additional experience which has demonstrated that the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Key Qualifications

• Four years of progressively more difficult and responsible general clerical or administrative assignments of which at least one year is varied purchasing or accounting activities, prior experience utilizing integrated computer software systems such as Oracle is strongly preferred.  
• General knowledge of purchasing, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of, or demonstrated ability to quickly learn the methods and procedures of purchasing, including the processes of competitive bidding as required by the California State Statutes and Codes and University.
• Ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with vendors, faculty, students, administrators, and members of the general public.
• Ability to independently gather and analyze data necessary for informed purchasing decisions; read and write clearly in English; analyze bids; and perform simple research.  
• Ability to use software such as (excel, work, etc.) and an integrated complex financial accounting system.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $5,053 per month. 

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources. 

San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For more information regarding SDSU benefits, please click here.

CSU Classification Salary Range: $3,885 - $7,027 per month. 

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. 

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by July 8, 2025, to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Michelle Puentes at mpuentes2@sdsu.edu