ASSOCIATE SPECIALIST - SPECIALIST - Purchasing at Southwest Research Institute - Fulltime

Industrial Group Procurement Specialist

The Industrial Group within the Purchasing Department is responsible for the procurement of a broad range of industrial commodities.

Objectives of this Role:

1. Determine best value sourcing (price, quality, delivery) using competitive methods and basic price analysis to support cost savings and compliant procurement decisions.
2. Execute procurements in full compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulation and 2 CFR Part 200, including documentation, competition, and audit readiness.
3. Support project schedules by issuing and managing purchase orders, monitoring status, and expediting to ensure timely delivery and minimize program risk.
4. Develop supplier relationships that support competition, fair and reasonable pricing, and adherence to purchasing terms, conditions, and performance expectations.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Solicit competitive quotes for industrial materials and perform price analysis to determine fair and reasonable pricing, documenting results to support compliant procurement decisions.
• Prepare, negotiate, and administer purchase orders and related agreements, ensuring alignment with purchasing terms, conditions, and applicable contractual requirements.
• Conduct market research to support sourcing decisions, validate pricing, and determine commerciality in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation and 2 CFR Part 200.
• Monitor and expedite orders to ensure timely delivery, proactively addressing delays to minimize impact to project schedules and program performance.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders (e.g., Requestor, QA, Accounting) to ensure timely inspection, acceptance, and payment, maintaining accurate records to support audit readiness.

Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelors degree in Business Administration or related degree field.
• 0-5 years: Experience negotiating and awarding purchase orders and standing orders, and effectively communicating with suppliers.
• 0-5 years: Experience with personal computers. Proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel and Word, is preferred.
• 0-5 years: Ability to utilize independent judgment, be diligent in and prioritize all assigned tasks, and work as part of a team.
• 0-5 years: Ability to find creative solutions to problems and successfully communicate the results in writing.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.