Purchasing Assistant

Information on MIT’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement can be found at the bottom of this posting.

PURCHASING ASSISTANT, Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM), to procure laboratory animals for MIT researchers by handling all matters pertaining to their ordering, receipt, shipment, and payment; and provide administrative support for DCM’s accounting functions.  Will serve as the sole animal procurement person for MIT.  Animal purchasing duties include reviewing request for laboratory animal purchase and care forms and check protocols; placing orders for animals with approved vendors on a weekly basis; communicating with researchers and vendors to resolve any problems regarding the availability of particular strains of rodents or particular size, gender, etc.; communicating with vendors, researchers, and DCM personnel regarding changes to the delivery schedule due to holidays; entering purchases into GRANITE to generate weekly delivery schedules and cage cards; processing invoices (~300/month) from animal vendors and shipping firms for payment by MIT CAO and reconciling invoices to animal orders in the GRANITE program; solving problems between vendors and investigators regarding sick animals, incorrect orders, credits, etc.; providing information to students, researchers, and outside institutions regarding animal purchasing, animal shipping, and billing; monitoring/approving off-site projects (Covance); and preparing blanket purchase orders for standard vendors.  Will also handle exporting/importing of animals as needed.  

Job Requirements
REQUIRED:  high school diploma or its equivalent; four years’ relevant experience; excellent communication, telephone, and interpersonal skills; accounting skills; ability to learn quickly, work independently, set priorities, and meet deadlines; and an eye for detail.  PREFERRED: four-year undergraduate degree and purchasing experience.  Job #22026-6

10/24/22