Purchaser

Department overview

The UCLA Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology focuses on research into evolution, ecosystems, and animal and plant behavior. Its work connects foundational science with real-world problems and provides a practical, collaborative environment with an emphasis on fieldwork, lab-based investigation, and topics such as conservation and climate change, while also recognizing the cultural heritage of the community it serves.

Role summary

This position is responsible for handling purchasing and related administrative processes for operating and sponsored research funding tied to around 32 Principal Investigators, along with sales and service activities within the Biology Group. The role also includes reconciling ledgers, preparing accounting documentation, and posting service unit recharge entries.

Key duties

• Oversee purchasing activity and associated functions across operating and sponsored research awards.
• Support purchasing needs for approximately 32 Principal Investigators.
• Handle sales and service-related purchasing for the Biology Group.
• Review and reconcile ledgers and financial records.
• Prepare accounting forms and related documentation.
• Post service unit recharge transactions accurately.

Compensation note

UCLA offers a full pay range, and the final salary depends on budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure, certifications, and other business needs. Offers at the highest end of the range are uncommon. Benefits begin on day one, and total compensation can be estimated through the university’s compensation tools.

Required qualifications

• Working knowledge of procurement methods, online purchasing, e-commerce, and common purchasing/accounts payable systems; experience in a university setting is preferred.
• Strong finance and accounting capability, including ledger reconciliation, balancing accounts, identifying and fixing accounting issues, and preparing timely adjustments and reports.
• Ability to review financial and administrative information from multiple sources and produce accurate, prompt reports using spreadsheets, databases, and management information systems.
• Proficiency with word processing, editing, spreadsheet, database, and web-based software.
• Ability to accurately prepare and process travel reimbursements.
• Well-developed organizational and administrative abilities, including handling logistics, balancing several priorities, and meeting deadlines with accuracy.
• Clear written communication skills for drafting concise, logical, and grammatically sound business correspondence and analysis.
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills for explaining complex financial and administrative information to people across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to build and sustain effective working relationships with faculty, students, administrators, vendors, sales representatives, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, use good judgment, take initiative, and complete assignments with limited supervision.

Education and eligibility

A bachelor’s degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and training/experience, is required. The role is open to candidates who are 18 years of age or older and can pass the required background checks, including a Live Scan check before employment begins and a satisfactory standard background investigation for continued employment.

Schedule and conditions

Standard working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The position is covered under the CX-Clerical & Allied Services union/policy.

Additional information

The complete position description is available through the employer’s job posting system. No specific vacancy count, start date, or application deadline was provided.