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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$84K - $118K *

Engage with suppliers to source and manage critical components, ensuring quality and compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize procurement processes and vendor relationships, dri...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$146K - $215K *

Drive supplier development excellence by leading a team focused on enhancing manufacturing capabilities and operational readiness. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure suppliers meet quality, cost...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$79K - $104K *

Lead the charge in establishing effective supply chain strategies and partnerships. This role ensures supplier performance, drives process improvements, and supports project sourcing initiatives to en...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in developing and executing supply chain strategies that drive program success, enhance supplier performance, and ensure seamless integration with cross-functional teams in a dynamic e...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Unlock potential by analyzing supply chain data, managing inventory, and driving demand forecasts to ensure product availability and optimize operations across the U.S. region, supporting strategic de...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in managing end-to-end procurement for complex EPC utility projects, ensuring effective supplier management, contract negotiations, and compliance with project requirements while colla...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$85K - $175K *

Grow your career with a pivotal role in demand planning for innovative artificial gravity systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure efficient procurement and timely execution of manuf...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $105K *

Unlock your potential as you manage end-to-end project procurement for large-scale EPC programs, ensuring timely delivery and quality in power infrastructure projects while collaborating with cross-fu...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$67K - $100K *

Coordinate and oversee logistics operations, ensuring accurate shipment processing and documentation for domestic and international deliveries while maintaining effective communication across departme...

Welland, ONIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$146K - $215K *

Empower supplier development by leading a team to enhance manufacturing capabilities, drive performance improvements, and ensure operational readiness for special processes and mechanical assembly, su...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$146K - $215K *

Elevate supplier performance by leading a team focused on manufacturing excellence, capacity readiness, and strategic improvement initiatives to support business growth and operational maturity across...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$146K - $215K *

Lead a team to enhance supplier capabilities in manufacturing and assembly. Drive performance improvements through strategic initiatives, ensuring operational readiness and alignment with business gro...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$146K - $215K *

Lead a dynamic team to enhance supplier capabilities and drive operational excellence. Collaborate across functions to ensure quality, cost, and delivery objectives are met while fostering continuous...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$146K - $215K *

Elevate your career by leading supplier development initiatives, enhancing manufacturing capabilities, and driving operational excellence. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure supplier readiness a...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$146K - $215K *

Elevate supplier performance by leading a team focused on manufacturing excellence, capacity readiness, and operational maturity. Drive strategic initiatives to enhance supplier capabilities and suppo...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $131K *

Join us in overseeing complex procurement operations, managing contracts, and leading a dedicated team to enhance efficiency and compliance within the District's purchasing department. Your expertise...

2 weeks ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Strategize and implement category sourcing for energy and industrial materials, driving cost reduction and supplier management while ensuring alignment with long-term business objectives and sustainab...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Innovate with us to manage pre-award portfolios, ensuring compliance in research administration, contracting, and export control. Collaborate with faculty and staff to facilitate proposal development...

2 weeks ago

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

$143K - $197K *

Pioneer comprehensive program management, overseeing cost, schedule, and performance for projects under $100M. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive success, enhance processes, and develop...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $115K *

Shape category strategies and strategic sourcing for one of the most complex procurement programs in sport, driving innovation and efficiency to deliver the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Gam...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$95K - $105K *

Unlock potential by managing centralized procurement for infusion centers, ensuring timely and accurate supply delivery. Collaborate with clinical teams and supply chain partners to uphold patient-cen...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Oversee enterprise procurement and strategic sourcing to optimize vendor relationships, manage spend effectively, and ensure compliance with organizational standards while enhancing business value thr...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in procurement excellence by overseeing purchasing operations, ensuring compliance, guiding a skilled team, and enhancing supply chain efficiency through effective strategies and vendo...

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$150K - $180K *

Lead strategic purchasing and global sourcing initiatives, driving supplier partnerships and optimizing costs while ensuring supply chain resilience and operational alignment across manufacturing oper...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's dedicated to managing and negotiating diverse government contracts, ensuring compliance with legal standards and customer specifications while driving successful project execution a...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.