Purchasing Lead

The UW-Madison Veterinary Hospital (UW Veterinary Care) is seeking a highly skilled Financial Specialist III to serve as a key financial and purchasing lead, providing expert oversight, guidance, and support for complex hospital financial and procurement activities. This role plays a critical leadership function within the purchasing team, ensuring compliance with campus and state purchasing policies while supporting the hospital's operational and financial goals.

The position is responsible for reviewing, approving, and advising on complex financial transactions; reconciling and monitoring funds; and maintaining accurate financial records. In addition, the specialist acts as a primary resource for purchasing policy interpretation, process improvement, and internal controls. As a lead, this role provides direction, mentorship, and training to team members, supports cross-training efforts, and promotes consistency and best practices across purchasing and financial operations. The incumbent serves as a liaison to hospital leadership, delivering financial insights, recommendations, and status updates to support informed decision-making.

• Drafts communications and reports and maintains organization of varied records to provide administrative support within a specified work unit (10%)

• Answers complex fiscal questions and provides information based on set materials and standards to various audiences (15%)

• Reviews transaction processing internal controls and recommends policies and procedures (10%)

• Serve as a unit liaison to leadership providing financial advice, recommendations, and financial status updates (10%)

• May train staff on financial processes and best practices (15%)

• Monitors financial transactions and fund balances and generates and reconciles complex reports and statements in accordance with established rules and regulations (15%)

• Reviews and approves complex transactions and assigns funding codes in accordance with established rules, regulations, and policies (15%)

• Reallocates expenses to appropriate funding strings (10%)

School of Veterinary Medicine

UW Veterinary Care Hospital

Finance Team

The starting full-time annual rate for the position is $58,000 (but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications).

UW Veterinary Care offers competitive wages (including night and weekend differential, if applicable), outstanding employee benefits https:// hr.wisc.edu/benefits/new-employee-benefits-enrollment/benefits-for-employees-covered-by-the-wrs/ ample paid time off https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/leave/paid-leave/ , financial support for continuing education and pursuing specialty certification, referral bonuses, an annual shoe allowance, and a yearly provision of hospital-branded clothing.

• Minimum of two (2) years of financial and purchasing experience within the UW System or the State of Wisconsin, including compliance with applicable policies and procedures

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to train, mentor, and provide guidance to colleagues

• Proven ability to effectively manage work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with competing priorities

• Experience using Workday financial systems, including transaction processing and related financial workflows

• Demonstrated ability to independently and professionally resolve complex or escalated financial issues in a timely manner

• Experience interpreting and advising on campus, state, and/or federal purchasing policies, guidelines, and best practices

• Ability to navigate ambiguous or evolving situations collaboratively, balancing policy requirements with practical, customer-focused solutions

High School Diploma Required

Associates Degree Preferred

Begin the online application process by clicking the 'Apply' button. Applicants are asked to upload a current copy of their resume, outlining their experience as it applies to this position.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Hiring Manager: Kate Hawley, Assistant Hospital Director, kate.hawley@wisc.edu

Human Resources Support: April Schulz, HR Manager, ajschulz2@wisc.edu

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The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

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Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

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