A biweekly publication for faculty and staff

Changes to Procurement Services Structure

October 30, 2014

As the restructuring within Business and Financial Services continues, UC Merced’s Procurement Services recently implemented organizational changes and positions to help improve efficiency and customer service.

Kristi Morales joined Procurement Services in August as a fast-track buyer. This new position is designed to quickly process straightforward (low-risk and/or less-complex contracts) purchases and procurement card (PCard) orders for the commodity teams, as well as assist the other buyers on more complex purchases when possible. 

Meagan Torres, CPPB, joined the Procurement Services team in August as a new commodity manager for information technology and planning contracts. 

Additionally, the commodity teams have been reorganized to improve service, align and utilize existing expertise and balance workload. Commodity Manager Denise Garcia will manage the MRO commodity team and Senior Buyer Jackie Mendez and Buyer Kristi Morales will report to her. Meagan Torres will manage the IT commodity team and Senior Buyer Todd Harris will report to her. Commodity Manager Terry Thun will continue to handle the scientific and academic areas of the campus, as well as manage the PCard program. The commodity managers and the Mondo Building receptionist, Christine Yap, report to Karen Meade.   

The specific commodity assignments of each team may be fine-tuned later; however, a current Buyer Commodity Assignments listing is available on the Procurement Services website. Although departments are welcome to contact any staff member in Procurement Services with questions, new team assignments were added to provide departments with dedicated points of contact. These team/department assignments are also included in the Buyer Commodity Assignments listing.

If you have questions related to the organizational changes or Procurement Services in general, please contact procurement@ucmerced.edu.

 

Training and Resources

Travel Systems Training Offerings

If there’s a chance you’ll need to make reservations or request reimbursement for work-related travel or entertainment expenses, you should become familiar with UC Merced’s corresponding policies and systems to ensure timely and compliant results. Register online for the following:

  • Overview of the Connexxus travel reservation system and the Pre-Trip Authorization (PTA) System: 1- 2 p.m. Nov. 19, KL 201
  • Overview of the Express reimbursement system: 2-4 p.m. Nov. 19, KL 201

Please note that before attending a class, you must complete the required online Travel Policy Training found at the UC Learning Center online.

Monthly Administrative or Management Services Officers Meetings

The AO/MSO meetings are open to anyone who wants to hear more about important campus updates, developments and requirements. This group meets from 10:45 a.m. to noon Nov. 17 (and the third Tuesday of every month) in KL 232.

Payroll Assistance: Every Friday, a payroll expert is stationed in KL 201 until 5 p.m. to provide you the opportunity to meet and discuss your concerns without the need making a formal appointment. You may also contact the Payroll Department anytime at 209-228-2729 or payroll@ucmerced.edu.