Purchasing Technician CL2 - University Store

Purchasing Technician

The University of Southern Maine's University Store is seeking a detail-oriented and customer-focused Purchasing Technician to join our dynamic team. If you are organized, thrive in a customer-facing environment, and enjoy keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, we encourage you to apply! This position plays a vital role in supporting the daily operations of the University Store and eCampus book distribution services. The Purchasing Technician staffs the Portland eCampus book distribution and online order pickup location, ensuring efficient and friendly service to students, faculty, and the broader campus community. In just one recent month, this position processed over 100 online ordersexcluding textbook ordersdemonstrating the fast-paced and essential nature of this role. In addition to providing direct customer service and sales support, the Purchasing Technician manages the receiving, storage, and restocking of the majority of the University Store's inventory. This includes coordinating merchandise flow across our retail locations in Portland and Gorham and our three textbook distribution sites located within campus libraries across all USM campuses. As a key member of the University Store team, this position helps ensure exceptional service to our campus community while supporting the store's continued growth and expansion of revenue streams. In addition, this position works closely with our student employees. Through this role not only will you gain experience delegating tasks and coordinating small project teams, you will have the opportunity to provide meaningful mentorship to students throughout their career at USM.

The University Store at the McGoldrick Center serves as the primary retail and campus resource center for students, faculty, staff, and the broader USM community. It provides a wide range of products and services designed to support academic success and promote school spirit, while supporting our local community. This full-time position on the Portland campus with regular travel to Gorham for restocking, as well as possible travel to Lewiston as needed. This position will receive a starting pay rate of $19.61 / hour for a new hire or the appropriate transfer rate for a current employee with the University of Maine System. The position also affords an excellent opportunity to pursue a bachelor's or advanced degree through the University's generous tuition waiver benefit. This position is part of the bargaining unit represented by the Associated Clerical, Office, Laboratory and Technical Staff of the Universities of Maine (ACSUM). The University of Southern Maine offers highly competitive benefits for full-time employees that include (but are not limited to) : 13 paid holidays plus earned vacation time and sick time, health, dental and vision insurance, low-cost short-term disability insurance and employer-paid long-term disability insurance, employer-paid basic life insurance and supplemental life insurance, a tuition waiver program for employees and their spouse or dependent child(ren), a 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contribution, and free access to the METRO system, including the Husky Line with service between our Portland and Gorham campuses.

The University of Southern Maine is a vibrant academic community located in the greater Portland, Maine area, including campuses in Portland, Gorham, Lewiston, and online. USM is part of the University of Maine System and offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing hands-on learning, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a highly engaged student-centered learning environment, USM is a steward of higher education, helping drive the economic, cultural, and civic life in the communities where our campuses are located and beyond. USM is committed to providing expanded access to high-quality education that elevates economic opportunity and contributes significantly to the vitality of a diverse society.

The University of Southern Maine fosters a welcoming and supportive campus environment that respects and appreciates varied perspectives, enhancing teaching, learning, personal growth, and overall institutional achievement. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our dedication to academic excellence and the enrichment of our community. We are dedicated to our Service Promise, Student Focused Every Day and seek a team member who embraces this commitment and upholds our core values of Respect & Care, Integrity, Equity, and Responsiveness.

Required Qualifications : High school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) or international degree equivalency, three years of retail, procurement, or inventory management experience, the ability to move and lift boxes, and excellent communication and customer service skills.

How to Apply : Click on 'Apply Now' or visit our USM Careers Page and submit the following : cover letter, resume / curriculum vitae, and a list of the names and contact information for references. For full consideration please submit all required materials by November 9, 2025. We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support. Appropriate background screening will be conducted for the successful candidate.