Explore Purchasing Specialist Jobs

Purchasing specialists help organizations source the goods and services they need while balancing cost, quality, reliability, and risk. On Ladders, explore vetted professional opportunities with compensation of $100,000 or more, including purchasing and procurement roles for experienced candidates.

What Does a Purchasing Specialist Do?

Purchasing specialists research suppliers, evaluate bids, negotiate pricing and contract terms, issue purchase orders, and monitor deliveries. They may also analyze spending, maintain supplier relationships, support inventory planning, and help ensure purchasing decisions comply with company policies and regulations.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers often seek experience in procurement, sourcing, vendor management, contract negotiation, and cost analysis. Strong communication, analytical, organizational, and negotiation skills are valuable. Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) and procurement systems, supply chain practices, and relevant industry requirements can also be an advantage. Requirements vary by employer and seniority.

Career Paths in Purchasing

Purchasing specialists may advance into senior procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, supply chain leadership, or procurement management positions. Roles and titles differ across organizations, so review each listing for its specific responsibilities, qualifications, location, and compensation details.

Find Purchasing Specialist Jobs on Ladders

Search Ladders for vetted purchasing and procurement opportunities paying $100,000 or more. Explore current listings to find roles aligned with your experience and career goals, and review each job posting for the latest details.

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$82K - $92K *

Drive procurement excellence by optimizing vendor relationships and sourcing strategies, ensuring supply assurance and cost efficiency across multiple categories to support production goals and enhanc...

Brampton, ONIn-Person

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$68K - $102K *

Optimize procurement processes by reconciling purchase orders, invoices, and supplier transactions. Collaborate across departments to ensure timely material availability and support purchasing activit...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$85K - $100K *

Drive procurement excellence by managing MRO sourcing strategies across multiple sites. Collaborate with teams to optimize spend, ensure supplier reliability, and implement cost-saving initiatives whi...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Transform procurement strategies and supplier development to enhance quality, reduce costs, and ensure supply continuity. Lead cross-functional teams, mentor talent, and drive continuous improvement i...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$90K - $110K *

Grow your career with a leadership role overseeing supply planning, ensuring that client demands align with production capabilities while managing key supplier relationships and driving process improv...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Transform procurement operations by leading a dynamic team, ensuring compliance, and driving supplier performance to support critical nuclear projects while enhancing process efficiency and collaborat...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$71K - $97K *

Unlock potential by driving category growth through data-driven insights and POG creation. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance product placement and assortment strategies, ensuring optimal perfor...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$110K - $160K *

Optimize contract administration processes for a key DARPA program, ensuring compliance with federal regulations while collaborating with government and contractor personnel to support national securi...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$88K - $105K *

Drive strategic sourcing initiatives by analyzing spend data, negotiating contracts, and managing supplier relationships to optimize procurement processes and enhance supply chain efficiency aligned w...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$95K - $121K *

Shape the future of municipal procurement by managing the City’s purchasing division. Oversee contract compliance, develop procurement policies, and lead a team to ensure efficient operations and exce...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$88K - $105K *

Unlock potential by managing program plans and acquisition activities for advanced weapons systems. Engage with a team to ensure operational excellence and compliance, supporting the mission of the We...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Drive purchasing excellence and strategic alignment by managing supplier portfolios, negotiating optimal contracts, and ensuring timely delivery of materials to support operational success...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$88K - $109K *

Join our team to manage supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, and drive procurement strategies. Leverage your expertise to enhance supplier performance and ensure quality delivery while navigat...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$115K - $145K *

Shape the future of procurement in nuclear projects by leading supply chain activities, ensuring quality vendor integration, and driving performance alignment with project execution and regulatory req...

Cambridge, ONIn-Person

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$95K - $115K *

Shape the future of procurement by leading expediting efforts for a major pharmaceutical project. Oversee critical supply chain activities, ensuring timely delivery of materials and equipment while co...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$77K - $89K *

Join a team that's dedicated to efficient procurement processes in Health and Social Services. Leverage your expertise to support diverse programming while navigating complex financial systems and col...

Whitehorse, YTIn-Person

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$95K - $115K *

Unlock potential by leading acquisition strategies and contract management for Special Operations Forces. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance operational capabilities through innovative solution...

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$130K - $155K *

Empower your career by leading a strategic supply chain team, driving operational excellence across procurement, warehousing, and subcontracting in a dynamic environment. Shape a world-class ecosystem...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$63K - $103K *

Join a team that's transforming procurement processes by managing contracts, analyzing purchasing needs, and ensuring compliance with regulations while driving value for the County through effective v...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$95K - $115K *

Lead logistics management functions for ship acquisition programs, ensuring effective planning, resource utilization, and compliance with DOD policies. Collaborate across teams to enhance operational...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Unlock your potential as you support logistics management for large amphibious ships, ensuring effective planning, resource utilization, and lifecycle support in a dynamic environment focused on shipb...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Engage in comprehensive procurement activities, managing a diverse range of purchasing actions from micro to complex acquisitions. Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to ensure timely delive...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$130K - $170K *

Optimize purchasing strategies and supplier relationships to enhance procurement operations and cost management. Lead a dynamic team while ensuring alignment with organizational goals and improving pu...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$130K - $170K *

Deliver impactful purchasing strategies and supplier relationships while leading procurement operations. Drive cost management and enhance processes to ensure resource availability, supporting organiz...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$130K - $170K *

Join a team that's redefining procurement excellence by leading purchasing strategy, enhancing supplier relationships, and optimizing operations to support organizational growth and efficiency in a dy...

Buena Vista, CORemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a purchasing specialist do?question toggle

    A purchasing specialist sources goods and services, evaluates suppliers and bids, negotiates pricing and terms, manages purchase orders, and monitors purchasing activity to support organizational needs.

  • What qualifications are common for purchasing specialist jobs?question toggle

    Requirements vary, but employers commonly value procurement or purchasing experience, supplier and contract management skills, negotiation, cost analysis, and familiarity with ERP or procurement software. Some roles may request a degree, certifications, or industry-specific knowledge.

  • How can I advance my purchasing career?question toggle

    Build expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier relationships, contract negotiation, spend analysis, and supply chain operations. Experienced purchasing specialists may pursue senior procurement, category management, sourcing leadership, or procurement management roles.

  • Are there Purchasing Specialist jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Ladders features vetted professional jobs with compensation of $100,000 or more, including eligible purchasing and procurement opportunities. Review individual listings for current salary and role requirements.

  • What is the difference between purchasing and procurement?question toggle

    Purchasing often refers to the process of buying goods and services, while procurement can cover the broader strategic process, including needs assessment, sourcing, supplier selection, contracting, and performance management. Employers may use the terms differently.