Job Description
Req Id:  40214
Job Title:  Assistant Director - Equipment
City:  West Lafayette
Job Description: 

Job Summary

The assistant director of equipment works with coaches, student-athletes, sport supervisors, Athletic Business Office, and other staff to supervise and oversee the purchase and fiscal control of game and sports equipment/apparel for designated sports.  Research vendor products and make equipment/apparel recommendations.  Assign, instruct, and review the work of regular staff and temporary student employees.  Oversee equipment inventory & distribution and supervise the return of yearly issued equipment.  Coordinate student-athlete and team banquet award process.  Oversee event staff apparel management.

What You'll Be Doing:

Purchasing/Fiscal Control                                                                                                   

  • Establishes game and sports equipment for assigned sports -budget of approximately $150,000 and then accountable for ensuring the area stays within the budget.‎
  • Utilize Ariba purchasing system to process athletic equipment orders and track through the purchasing process.
  • Discusses purchase needs with designated coaches.  Meets with coach during budget process to determine game and sports equipment to be purchased during the budget cycle.  Assures that unnecessary purchases are not put into the budget.  Research vendors and products, schedule meetings and requests sample products from specific vendors. Rechecks inventory for sizes and quantities.  After checking with various vendors, a joint decision is made by coach/head equipment manager on which company to purchase equipment/uniforms from.
  • Coordinate the yearly Nike allotment for designated sport with the head equipment manager in accordance to the Purdue University contract.  The Assistant Equipment Manager based on the sport and equipment needs, determines or recommends how to best utilize the dollars allotted to fulfill the proposed budget request.
  • Process and provide head equipment manager, director of football operations, supervisor of men's basketball operations, supervisor of women's basketball operations, and athletic business office with all budget related documentation and recommendations.

 

Supervision                                                                                                                           

  • Assign, instruct and review the work of regular and temporary student employees.
  • Train student football managers, Mackey support staff, and student employees in daily tasks-including but not limited to-collecting and washing laundry, redistributing the laundered items into locker rooms, prepare uniforms and equipment for team travel, and supervise in maintenance of game uniforms.
  • Process bi-weekly timecards and maintain proper hourly records for student manager program.
  • Oversee and coordinate student managers during preparation for road football team trips.  Duties include packing uniforms, equipment, training supplies, communication system, coaches’ gear, etc.  Assures that all the proper equipment is on the truck.
  • Teach each student football manager how to disassemble and reassemble football helmets - this includes, maintenance, sanitizing, and refurbishing the helmets to game condition.  This position ultimately is responsible for reviewing each piece of equipment for safety issues before it is used again by the student-athlete.
  •  

Equipment Inventory/Distribution

  • Director prepares property card checklist, in conjunction with the coordinator, for each student-athlete and distributes appropriate gear to designated sport student-athletes.
  • Size and fit individual athletes in sport specific equipment.  Issue necessary items by sport for daily practice.  Ensure all safety regulations are maintained.
  • Prepare game items for all contests for each specific player.
  • Compiles end-of-season inventory on all athletic football protective equipment used during the season. 
  • Inventories and organizes all equipment to be reconditioned for the upcoming season.  This includes, labeling      each item, and adding to the computer database.
  • As necessary, creates database for inventory of designated sport equipment.
  • Receives all ordered items and cross checks packing lists with order form and distributes items as needed.  Follows up paperwork with the Athletic Business Office to pay vendors in a timely fashion.
  • Supervise the return of yearly issued equipment.  For items not returned, the director will direct the Athletic Business Office staff to charge the individual student-athlete for appropriate costs, using the University billing system.

 

Awards                                                                                                                                  

  • Coordinate with the Compliance Director and sport head coach to ensure proper distribution of award to student-athletes based on student-athletes class standing and Athletics Award policy.
  • Maintain appropriate records for Purdue University archives.
  • Coordinate team banquet awards with the head coach of designated sport, compliance office, and the Athletic Business Office in accordance to NCAA rules and regulations.

 

Event Staff Apparel Management                                                                                       

  • Coordinate with game management staff on set-up of official event staff for all designated sport home games.  Distributes and/or oversees distribution and collection of all apparel/gear prior to and after each contest.  Review sport schedule with the Athletics Game Management Staff to ensure management of event staff apparel.

About Us:

Purdue Athletics is built on unrivaled pride, unlimited potential, and a sense of shared purpose that unites staff, student-athletes, and the broader community. As part of Purdue’s 150-year legacy, Athletics exemplifies a culture of collaboration, continuous growth, and excellence, where every member is encouraged to strive for success while fostering a positive and supportive environment. Joining Purdue Athletics means joining a team committed to building a better world together—where professional aspirations thrive, innovation is celebrated, and a lasting impact is made on campus and beyond. Read more: Purdue Boilermakers Athletics  

What We're Looking For:

Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Three (3) years athletic equipment room work experience, preferably at the collegiate level, or directly related work experience
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered

 

Skills needed:

  • Athletic equipment manager association (AEMA) certification required or ability to obtain within first year
  • Knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations
  • Strong interpersonal skill for developing working relationship with coaches, athletes, and sales representatives
  • Knowledge of athletic fabric, differences, durability, care
  • Ability to maintain knowledge that's current on all protective equipment
  • Personal computer and related software skills, e.g., word process, spreadsheets, database, data query, Internet, etc., necessary

Who We Are:

Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.

Additional Information:

  • Purdue’s benefits summary https://www.purdue.edu/hr/Benefits/
  • Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position  
  • A background check will be required for employment in this position
  • FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
  • Retirement Eligibility:  Defined Contribution Waiting Period

Career Stream

Compensation Information:
Professional 2
Pay Band S055
Job Code#20002020
 
Link to Purdue University's Compensation Guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php

EOE

Purdue University is an EO/EA University

Posting Start Date:  1/20/26