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Coordinator- Purchasing

Illinois Central College · East Peoria, IL · $48,006–$54,018 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 28, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you negotiated a better deal with a supplier.

What they are checking: Whether they can negotiate firmly while keeping good vendor relationships.

Tell me about a time you found a way to save money on a regular purchase.

What they are checking: Whether they look for savings on routine buying, where small gains add up.

What would you do

A department wants to buy from a specific vendor without getting other quotes. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they can uphold purchasing policy while helping the department get what it needs.

A vendor delivers the wrong items right before a semester starts. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they solve problems quickly while holding the vendor accountable.

How would you handle a vendor who offers you a gift or favor?

What they are checking: Whether they understand ethics rules and avoid conflicts of interest in public purchasing.

How do you explain purchasing rules to staff who find them frustrating?

What they are checking: Whether they can make processes clear and helpful rather than just saying no.

About the work

Walk me through how you would source a new product or service to get the best value for the college.

What they are checking: Whether they compare price, quality and service rather than just picking the lowest bid.

What do you know about public purchasing rules, like bid thresholds and competitive quotes?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the rules that apply to spending public money at a community college.

How do you keep track of many purchase orders so nothing gets lost or delayed?

What they are checking: Whether they are organized and use systems to follow orders from request to delivery.

What purchasing or ERP systems have you used?

What they are checking: Whether they can quickly learn the college's systems for requisitions and approvals.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Illinois Central College.

Position Title: Coordinator- Purchasing Campus: East Peoria Campus Employment Type: Management, StaffFull time Department: Finance Start Date: 10/31/2026 Job Description: Summary: The Coordinator of Purchasing is primarily responsible for the procurement of the most cost-effective, high-quality materials resources and services that consistently meet or exceed the established college standards. Compensation for the Coordinator - Purchasing is $48,006.40-54,017.60 annually. Essential Functions: This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed while in other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. • Maintain effective purchasing and accounting operational controls according to college policies and procedures. • Assess purchasing operations and procedures facilitating improvements to increase efficiency in the purchasing department. • Maintain relationships with college departments and vendors to ensure accurate communications are shared regularly to maintain ongoing inventories and required reporting. • Coordinate college purchasing activities through maintaining a supplier database through Workday, training end users, and providing customer support. • Oversee the scheduling of bids for all college departments by writing bid specifications and managing bids and/or quotes. • Manage the daily operations of the purchasing department and provide leadership and supervision of the purchasing staff. • Prepare monthly purchase report for College Board of Trustee’s review and approval. • Purchase capital equipment and furniture as recommended. • Review Workday release updates for Purchasing, communicate process changes with end users, and update training documentation. • Coordinate and communicate with Receiving staff regarding certain shipments. • Analyze yearly expenditures and prepare annual report of utilization of businesses owned by minorities, females, and persons with disabilities by designated due dates to the Illinois Business Enterprise Council. • Assist with maintenance of college credit cards; requesting new cardholders, closing accounts, changing credit limits when necessary, training new cardholders, facilitate with charge dispute filings with PNC. • Routinely visit the Warehouse to maintain inventory and identify items to be liquidated and coordinate sale of surplus items (furniture, retired assets, etc.) through public auction/sale. • Perform related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities. • Associate’s degree in business, accounting, law or related field. • 3 years of purchasing experience OR 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience. • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite. • Strong organizational and prioritization skills. • Strong attention to detail. • Strong verbal and written communication skills. • Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain cooperative and professional working relationships with others. Preferred Qualifications: • Working knowledge of the Business Enterprise Program Act for Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities (BEP). • Experience with Workday. • Experience with government regulations, state legislation, and compliance reporting. Illinois Central College provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, ancestry, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or familial status, order of protection status, use of VESSA rights, genetic information, military or veteran status (including discharge status), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Illinois Central College offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees, including: • paid time off; • 11 paid holidays; 2 floating holidays • medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance; • tuition waivers for employee, spouse and dependent children; • on-site childcare center; • 403(b) retirement plans; and • State University Retirement System pension plan. To learn more about full-time health care benefits at ICC.

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