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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$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's transforming procurement strategies to maximize supplier performance and drive cost savings. Lead negotiations and develop global strategies to enhance supply assurance, quality, an...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$202K - $214K *

Unlock potential by leading contract management for federal programs, ensuring compliance and successful negotiations. Collaborate with partners to drive efficiency and support audits in a fully remot...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Drive effective procurement strategies and compliance for emergency management, overseeing vendor selection and contract management to support citywide initiatives and ensure timely responses to emerg...

3 weeks ago

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

$108K - $130K *

Lead procurement efforts for emergency management, ensuring compliance and efficiency. Oversee vendor selection, contract management, and support citywide initiatives while collaborating with diverse...

3 weeks ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that shapes the future of emergency management through strategic procurement leadership. You'll oversee vendor selection, ensure compliance, and support agency initiatives while managing a...

4 weeks ago

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

$73K - $132K *

Lead the procurement cycle, negotiate contracts, and collaborate across functions to ensure successful management of federal subcontracts while driving innovation, compliance, and cost-effective solut...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$75K - $158K *

Advance logistics efficiency by managing material flow and documentation for naval programs. Ensure accurate handling and tracking of equipment while collaborating with engineering and production team...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Drive comprehensive federal acquisition services from pre-award to post-award. Utilize expertise in contract administration and compliance with FAR, ensuring efficient procurement processes and strong...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$93K - $159K *

Optimize procurement processes by developing standardized workflows, ensuring compliance, and enhancing governance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline operations and improve documen...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$93K - $159K *

Shape the future of procurement by developing standardized processes and governance frameworks that enhance operational efficiency, compliance, and collaboration across cross-functional teams, ensurin...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$94K - $147K *

Lead the charge in developing and executing strategic sourcing initiatives for the Fruit Preparation Category, ensuring alignment with business goals and driving supplier performance through effective...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$80K - $100K *

Elevate your career by leading material flow, production planning, and logistics in a dynamic manufacturing environment. Drive efficiency, optimize inventory, and ensure on-time delivery while collabo...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$63K - $113K *

Engage in contract lifecycle management, from negotiation to execution, ensuring compliance and risk mitigation while collaborating across teams to enhance program success and drive business growth...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $130K *

Lead the charge in sourcing critical mechanical hardware for a high-impact program. Drive procurement, manage supplier relationships, and ensure timely delivery while navigating complex supply chain c...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$124K - $133K *

Support high-impact procurement initiatives by leading strategic sourcing efforts, ensuring compliance with regulations, and collaborating with stakeholders to meet operational needs effectively...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$100K - $120K *

Lead the procurement and risk management functions, overseeing district-wide operations, competitive bidding, and compliance. Drive strategic initiatives to enhance efficiency and ensure effective man...

Yesterday

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

$74K - $87K *

Transform customer experiences by leading Unanet ERP implementations, ensuring successful configurations and training for Government Contracting clients. Manage multiple projects, driving adoption and...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$96K - $118K *

Join a dynamic team to develop and manage supply chain contracting strategies that optimize costs and enhance value for member pharmacies. This role involves supplier negotiations, category performanc...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$133K - $200K *

Optimize our supply chain operations by leading a dynamic team, managing procurement strategies, and ensuring compliance with government regulations while fostering strong supplier relationships to su...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$88K - $105K *

Manage contractor relationships and negotiate costs to optimize sourcing strategies for trade categories, ensuring efficient budgeting and adherence to company standards while focusing on cost savings...

Reposted 1 week ago

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

$80K - $118K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing project governance and controls. Collaborate with project managers to implement best practices, manage schedules, and ensure data integrity in a dynamic envir...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $130K *

Lead the full lifecycle of commercial and government contracts, ensuring compliance and risk management while supporting fast-paced operations. Collaborate with legal teams to negotiate agreements and...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$210K - $340K *

Optimize procurement processes by leading legal support for technology sourcing. Negotiate complex agreements for hardware, software, and services while mentoring a legal team and ensuring compliance...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$89K - $118K *

Lead the charge in optimizing vendor onboarding and procurement systems. Manage workflows, enhance data accuracy, and resolve issues to streamline purchasing processes while collaborating with cross-f...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$106K - $206K *

Lead the charge in delivering Oracle Fusion Cloud Procurement solutions, driving strategy and implementation across complex enterprise programs while collaborating with stakeholders to optimize Procur...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

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.