Fast Facts

WGU is seeking a Senior Procurement Academic Sourcing Specialist in Raleigh, NC, who will evaluate supplier capabilities, negotiate contracts, and ensure compliance with procurement policies while helping to expand access to higher education.

Responsibilities: Evaluate new suppliers, assess risks, negotiate contracts, maintain purchasing records, and coordinate with finance and legal for contracts implementation.

Skills: Strong negotiation and organizational skills, knowledge of procurement practices, and proficiency in Microsoft Office; ability to conduct cost analysis and adapt to new technologies.

Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree and 4 years of procurement or supply chain experience, with relevant experience considered as a substitute for education.

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina (initially remote, transition to in-office anticipated by mid-2026)

Compensation: $80300 - $120400 / Annually

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Professional 309Pay Range: $80,300.00 - $120,400.00

Job Description

Job Duties

• Evaluates new supplier capabilities, assesses risk, and quality as necessary.
• Invites and receives bids.
• Evaluates prices, products, discounts, and delivery conditions.
• Makes award selections, confers, and corresponds with suppliers, manufacturers, service suppliers, and sales representatives to obtain pricing and product information, services provided, market information, and trends.
• Resolves problems with PO, billing, and payment.
• Maintains records of contracts negotiated, ordered, and received.
• Coordinates with other departments including finance and legal for the negotiation and implementation of the contracts.
• Participates in the review of specifications and statements of work for, but not limited to curriculum, materials, equipment, facilities, supplies, and services.
• Processes contract, bid, or purchase order requests. Monitors current market to ensure competitive pricing.
• Maintains purchasing instructions, policies, and procedures. Communicates and educates university employees to ensure compliance.
• Negotiates contracts, terms, and pricing. Ensures best prices and services are obtained in assigned areas of responsibility.
• Assists with forecasting and trend analysis to effectively predict business needs.
• Reviews purchase orders and contracts for conformance to company policies.
• Leads lower dollar threshold sourcing projects (RFx’s).
• Facilitates discovery discussions with vendors including initial capabilities presentations.
• Identifies and delivers cost savings to meet department goals.
• Recognizes and informs management of purchasing and supply issues and provides recommendations.
• Identifies adverse trends, minimizes risk, and recommends improvements.
• Assists in developing policies and procedures in the areas of procurement and asset control. Recognizes opportunities for improving processes.
• Acts as back up for time sensitive contract discussions and stakeholder needs in the absence of Sourcing Specialist Supervisor or Sourcing Manager.
• Administers purchasing systems.
• Sources new vendors and negotiates vendor terms and pricing.
• Shares knowledge with Sourcing Team and Vendor Engagement personnel related to procurement processes.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

KSAs

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of purchasing, including purchasing ethics and standards
• Understanding of the use of PO’s versus contracts
• Understanding of the competitive bidding process
• Understanding of key PO/contract terms and conditions
• More complex knowledge of cost/pricing analysis
• Ability to learn new technologies and adapt to moving priorities
• Strong negotiation and organizational skills, including basic understanding of how to negotiate business terms with suppliers (i.e., price, delivery, quality, payment).
• Excellent decision-making skills
• Excellent skills in Microsoft Office products
• Working knowledge of current market conditions, pricing, and sources of supply
• Understanding of how to develop SLA’s and KPI’s
• Understanding of how to develop various sourcing approaches and strategies
• Knowledge of how to structure and lead moderate to complex negotiations

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• 4 years of procurement or supply chain experience
• Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.
• Must currently reside in, or be willing to relocate to, the Raleigh, North Carolina area within 90 days of offer acceptance.
• Ability to work on‑site at the Raleigh, NC office four (4) days per week with the option to work remotely on Fridays, as scheduled by the department.
• Work Location: While this position will begin as remote/work-from-home, it is expected to transition to an in-office role in Raleigh, North Carolina, once a dedicated office space is established (anticipated by mid-2026)

Job Description Disclaimer: This position description provides the major duties/responsibilities, requirements and working conditions for the position. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, however management reserves the right to revise or change as necessary to meet organizational needs. Other responsibilities may be assigned when circumstances require.

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.