Role Description

Scientific > Procurement Specialist

Salary National Average

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Short Description:

A Procurement Specialist is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing goods and services to support organizational needs and budget objectives. They evaluate supplier performance, manage vendor relationships, and ensure timely delivery of materials while maintaining quality and compliance standards. The role involves preparing purchase orders, analyzing market trends, and identifying cost-saving opportunities. Procurement Specialists collaborate with internal teams to align purchasing strategies with project and production requirements. Strong negotiation, analytical, and organizational skills are essential for success in this role.

Duties / Responsibilities:

  • Source, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers to secure cost-effective contracts for goods and services that meet company quality and delivery standards
  • Develop and maintain relationships with vendors, ensuring consistent communication, reliability, and performance compliance
  • Prepare purchase orders, track shipments, and verify deliveries to ensure materials arrive on time and in full
  • Analyze pricing trends, supplier performance, and market conditions to identify cost-saving opportunities
  • Collaborate with internal departments such as operations, finance, and engineering to determine purchasing needs and specifications
  • Review and manage procurement documentation, including contracts, bids, and supplier agreements, to ensure accuracy and compliance
  • Monitor inventory levels and coordinate with warehouse or production teams to prevent stockouts or overages
  • Resolve supplier or delivery issues, including discrepancies, damaged goods, or late shipments
  • Maintain accurate procurement records and prepare reports on spending, savings, and supplier performance metrics
  • Ensure compliance with company policies, ethical standards, and applicable procurement regulations

Skills / Requirements / Qualifications

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business administration, finance, or a related field required
  • Experience: 2–5 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain coordination
  • Negotiation Skills: Proven ability to negotiate favorable pricing, contract terms, and supplier agreements
  • Analytical Skills: Strong data analysis and cost comparison abilities to support purchasing decisions
  • Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel
  • Organization: Excellent time management and recordkeeping skills for handling multiple purchase orders and suppliers
  • Communication: Clear and professional communication skills for working with internal stakeholders and external vendors
  • Compliance Knowledge: Understanding of procurement regulations, vendor management policies, and ethical sourcing practices

Job Zones

  • Title: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
  • Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. 
  • Related Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. 
  • Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
  • Job Zone Examples: Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. 
  • Specific Vocational Preparation in years: 2-4 years preparation (7.0 to < 8.0)

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