Procurement Specialist

Position Summary: The Procurement Specialist plays a vital role in the purchasing process, overseeing every aspect to ensure the acquisition of products and services that align with budgetary constraints, adhere to quality benchmarks, and are promptly delivered. This role encompasses various responsibilities, such as carefully selecting and evaluating potential vendors, establishing and executing strategic plans for sourcing commodities, managing supplier relationships, and maintaining active service contracts for the organization. By performing these duties, the Procurement Specialist contributes to the seamless functioning of procurement operations and compliant functioning of procurement operations, ensuring responsible stewardship of funds.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Foster and maintain strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and internal contacts to facilitate effective communication and collaboration.
2. Monitor open requisitions and keep relevant departments informed about delivery status, price fluctuations of goods, and vendor pricing changes.
3. Ensure all procurement activities comply with applicable federal, state and local regulations, as well as specific grant and funder requirements (e.g., Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200).
4. Drive supplier collaboration to encourage innovation and gain a competitive edge in the market.
5. Conduct thorough analysis to identify opportunities for cost reduction, evaluate material selection and sourcing techniques, and enhance overall cost efficiency.
6. Develop strategic sourcing plans, identify qualified suppliers, and obtain competitive quotes to ensure optimal procurement outcomes.
7. Work closely with the DEI strategist to actively promote diversity and inclusion among Unity's suppliers and partners, seeking out Woman, Minority or Veteran-owned companies and fostering relationships with partners/suppliers who share similar DEI values and strategies.
8. Regularly review existing contracts with suppliers and vendors to assess their ongoing feasibility, anticipate trends, and proactively negotiate any necessary changes.
9. Exercise budgetary control over procurement activities and foster a culture of long-term cost savings and accountability.
10. Utilize Precoro procurement software to generate purchase orders and meticulously track transactions from order placement to receipt, invoice reconciliation, and payment maintaining detailed and auditable records.
11. Take a proactive role in resolving critical quality and delivery issues with suppliers, assuming comprehensive ownership of supplier performance.
12. Collaborate with other departments to ensure customer requirements are met and mitigate negative impacts on the business in the event of supply shortages.
13. Regular and reliable attendance at the worksite and adhere to assigned schedule. This position is not a remote or telecommute position.
14. Adhere to all company and departmental policies and procedures per the guidebook including all safety requirements including all safety guidelines.
15. Utilize electronic time management system to input time, attendance and paid off request.

Non-Essential Job Functions:

1. Research and determine resolution purchasing and assist in resolving purchasing discrepancies.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, supply chain management, or a related field. Five (5) years of relevant experience may be substituted for degree.

Experience: 

1. 3 years’ experience in the procurement field with preference for experience in a non-profit or public sector environment
2. Strong working knowledge of sourcing and procurement techniques as well as an aptitude for reading the market.
3. Knowledge of cooperative contracts, a plus.
4. Demonstrated experience with grant-funded procurement and associated compliance is highly desirable.
5. Exceptional talent in negotiating and networking.
6. Solid knowledge of supplier or third-party management software.
7. Outstanding decision-making skills and ability to work well with numbers.
8. Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
9. Highly organized and possesses strong attention to detail.
10. Demonstrated ability to be customer focused and provide outstanding customer service.

Computer Skills: 

• Minimum intermediate end user of MS Office: Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint. 
• Database management experience. 
• Amazon Business accounts

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Work Environment:  Office Environment

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.