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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$110K - $130K *

Oversee and enhance materials management processes to boost efficiency and quality. Collaborate with teams to implement strategic initiatives, manage budgets, and develop talent, ensuring compliance a...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $110K *

Drive vendor relationships and merchandise strategies to maximize gross profit and inventory efficiency. Collaborate across teams, optimize sales initiatives, and ensure effective execution of merchan...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Optimize inventory management and vendor negotiation strategies to drive sales, enhancing profit margins through effective merchandising and marketing collaboration while maintaining operational excel...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$105K - $125K *

Transform complex agreements into streamlined contracts by leading negotiations and drafting processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and efficiency in Supply Chain Mana...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$105K - $125K *

Shape the future of supply chain management by leading complex contract negotiations and drafting agreements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and drive efficient outcomes...

Edmonton, ABIn-Person

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$80K - $95K *

Partner with us to drive strategic procurement initiatives, enhance vendor relationships, and optimize contract performance across diverse departments, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and...

Montreal, QCIn-Person

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Champion procurement excellence by leading strategic sourcing and materials management for large-scale projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance, cost-effectiveness, and t...

1 week ago

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

$100K - $120K *

Join us in providing strategic leadership for procurement and contracts, overseeing the supply chain and ensuring compliance and operational excellence to align with institutional objectives. Drive in...

Sudbury, ONIn-Person

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$95K - $115K *

Join us in managing U.S. Government and DoD contracts, ensuring compliance and driving successful execution from proposal to closeout. Leverage your expertise in FAR/DFARS and negotiation to support m...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$95K - $109K *

Partner with us to lead global contract operations, driving AI-first initiatives and enhancing workflows. Collaborate across teams to optimize contract management processes in a fast-paced software en...

Atlanta, GARemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $109K *

Accelerate progress at our global contract operations by leading transformative initiatives, enhancing workflows, and driving AI-first contracting strategies across diverse teams in a fast-paced softw...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Drive strategic sourcing initiatives and manage supplier relationships to optimize Total Cost of Ownership across Corporate Services. Collaborate with leaders to enhance procurement processes and ensu...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Drive innovative HVAC procurement strategies, collaborating with teams to ensure optimal performance, budget adherence, and timely delivery of mechanical systems while fostering strong supplier relati...

3 days ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Lead a dynamic team in procurement management, driving strategic negotiations and compliance with government contracts. Collaborate with stakeholders to optimize supply chain operations and enhance or...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Transform procurement strategies by leading a dynamic team to manage government contracts, ensuring compliance and fostering collaboration with stakeholders while driving operational excellence and st...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team as you lead procurement efforts, manage contracts, and drive strategic initiatives. Utilize your expertise in supply chain management to collaborate with stakeholders and ensure co...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Lead strategic sourcing initiatives for IT software and services, collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize procurement processes, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance while delivering co...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Develop strategic sourcing initiatives for IT software and services, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and cost-effectiveness. Drive negotiations and manage supplier relat...

Falls Church, VARemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in strategic IT procurement, managing software and cloud services. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize sourcing strategies, ensuring compliance and cost-effectiveness w...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in tactical procurement management, overseeing a team of buyers to optimize material acquisition, improve supply chain performance, and ensure compliance with regulations while collabo...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $150K *

Advance your career by leading procurement strategies and optimizing supplier performance. Drive cost savings, enhance team productivity, and manage global supplier relationships while ensuring alignm...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$130K - $140K *

Transform supply chain operations by leading procurement, inventory control, and logistics. Drive strategic sourcing, optimize supplier relationships, and enhance operational efficiency to meet produc...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Solve complex substation challenges by expertly testing and commissioning protection systems. Your hands-on experience will be key to ensuring safe, efficient energization and compliance with industry...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$80K - $90K *

Transform compliance in construction projects by ensuring contractors meet small business participation commitments. Monitor programs, identify risks, and drive corrective actions to maintain adherenc...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$60K - $110K *

Partner with us to support critical DARPA initiatives by managing contracts that enhance national security. This hybrid role offers career growth opportunities while ensuring compliance with federal r...

Today

  •   Less than 5 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.