External Services Specialist

Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN

Full-time - Mid Level

West Lafayette, IN

Educational Services

About the position

The External Services Specialist at Purdue University plays a crucial role in enhancing Indiana's manufacturing sector by managing third-party service providers. This position involves program development, recruitment, evaluation, and management of external resources to ensure timely and budget-compliant project completion. The specialist will collaborate with various stakeholders within the university and the manufacturing community to identify and develop client services, while also leading the creation of an external resource database.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary expert in third party/external resource program development and management.
• Recruit, evaluate, onboard, and manage third party/external service providers for professional and technical services.
• Ensure project completion is timely and under budget.
• Lead market needs analysis for services.
• Establish recruitment tools and processes to attract third party providers and consultants.
• Develop, negotiate, and execute agreements with qualified providers.
• Establish performance metrics and manage project execution and quality.
• Evaluate external resources on an annual basis.
• Define parameters for the third party resource database.
• Lead the IT group in the development of the external resource database and associated tools.
• Collaborate with individuals across the University and other outside parties related to third party services.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• Five or more years of experience
• Experience with project or program management or supplier/resource management or professional or technical recruitment
• Experience with procurement and contract negotiation
• Ability to learn and develop skills to recruit and attain service providers in new areas of expertise
• Lead marketing and communication to create awareness of external resources
• Ability to negotiate and work with outside suppliers and consultants
• Analysis skills for business performance and performance metrics
• Problem-solving skills to independently resolve complex problems
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Valid US driver's license

Nice-to-haves

• Degree in Business Management, Industrial Operations or a related field

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement contributions
• Tuition remission opportunity at Purdue University and Purdue Global