Job Description

THE OPPORTUNITY

KIPP Texas is seeking a Vendor Onboarding Specialist to prepare all the necessary documentation for new vendor setup, handle maintenance requests, and assist vendors with KTX’s internal processes to help them through the process efficiently, while remaining within all compliance guidelines.  This position may be based in Austin, Dallas, Houston, or San Antonio, Texas.  Customer service is of paramount importance in this role and of equal importance as the candidate’s attention to detail and vendor compliance acumen.  The Vendor Onboarding Specialist should expect to engage directly with vendors, procurement specialists, external counsel, accounts payable, FP&A analysts, and compliance. The person in this role is an individual contributor to the team and has direct responsibilities for supplier assessment and evaluation.  The Finance team celebrates diversity, understanding the big picture, and always operating with a focus on what is best for our Big & Little KIPPsters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

THE VENDOR ONBOARDING SPECIALIST WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING DUTIES:

• Gather documentation from vendors
• Collaborate with internal budget owners, procurement specialists, accounts payable, and compliance to obtain necessary requirements and data
• Collaborate with Human Resources to ensure background checks are completed for all required vendors
• Collaborate with School Operations to ensure understanding of vendor onboarding process and how to verify background approval of vendors prior to entry into buildings
• Perform internal checks and annual reviews
• Perform financial analysis and collect financial report about the supplier
• Review vendor-completed KTX Vendor Packet for accuracy, consulting with Senior Director of Procurement & Financial Sustainability and/or external counsel with any questions
• Create and/or modify vendor and related information in KTX’s accounting and/or procurement system(s), based on information collected
• Make business decisions, based on vendor data
• Continuously seek for areas of improvements in the process & promote process efficiencies through a focus on automated channels
• Be of service to KTX’s vendors to assist with their onboarding needs
• Maintain thorough understanding of Federal, State and local vendor compliance laws and board policies; ensure communication to applicable stakeholders
• Build trust and nurture ongoing internal relationships; this is critical to understanding the needs of the organization and ensuring willingness to engage and provide information, as requested
• Ensure a high level of customer service to meet the needs and requirements of the organization
• Assist with an/or perform vendor performance evaluations
• Actively seek out professional development opportunities 
• Ad hoc tasks requested by the Senior Director of Procurement & Financial Sustainability, as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field from an accredited institution
• Minimum of one year of work experience in a fast-paced, high stress environment 
• Ability to work independently, with minimal ongoing assistance
• Diverse experience valued (purchasing, legal, finance, accounting, military, consulting)
• Positive and professional demeanor, with an exemplary customer service mindset
• Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy
• Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to work with various working styles and different personality types at all levels of the organization
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Strong self-initiative and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and/or projects in a short and compressed time window
• Strong understanding of contract terms & structures
• Strong understanding of vendor onboarding laws, policies, and procedures; prior experience managing vendor requirements, including background checks, in a Texas K-12 setting highly valued

Additional Information

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

As a full time KIPP Texas employee you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Texas’ benefit plans. KIPP Texas offers a robust variety of benefits choices, including medical, dental, and vision options, as well as life insurance, fertility, and disability plans starting as low as $25/month.

KIPP provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.