Senior Procurement Buyer/Category Manager

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY:

About the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA)

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) owns and oversees the operations of various facilities such as the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center (MCEC), The Lawn On D, the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, and the MassMutual Center (MMC). We are committed to delivering world-class event experiences that drive statewide economic growth, foster innovation, and exceed customer expectations all while cultivating a workplace culture that values excellence, inclusivity, and employee well-being.

Position Overview
The Procurement Department plays a critical role in supporting MCCA’s operations through organization wide purchasing and contracting activities. The department ensures procurements are conducted in a transparent, competitive, compliant, and fiscally responsible manner while advancing the Authority’s supplier diversity goals.

Reporting to the Director of Procurement and Contract Management, the Senior Procurement Buyer/Category Manager supports the day‑to‑day execution of procurement and contracting functions across the Authority. This role serves as a technical, systems-focused resource within the Procurement team, supporting the full procurement lifecycle from requisition through contract administration and vendor performance management. The Senior Procurement Buyer/Category Manager works closely with the Junior Procurement Buyer, procurement leadership, internal departments, and external vendors to facilitate timely, accurate, and compliant procurement transactions. In addition, the position contributes to the modernization of procurement practices through data management, reporting, business process improvement, and the digitization of procurement systems, while exercising a high degree of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality in all aspects of the role, including compliance with procurement practices, laws, regulations, and alignment with MCCA’s best practices procurement principles.

Supplier Diversity Statement
The Authority is committed to supplier diversity and expanding equitable access to contracting opportunities. The Procurement Department supports this commitment by encouraging participation of certified diverse and small businesses, conducting outreach and removing unnecessary barriers to competition, and tracking/reporting supplier diversity benchmarks and affirmative marketing requirements as applicable. Procurement Department staff are required to complete trainings and fully comply with the MCCA’s Supplier Diversity Program requirements, including good faith efforts to engage with diverse, local, and small businesses when soliciting quotes on the behalf of the Authority.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. The MCCA reserves the right to modify this job description at any time, with or without notice.

Procurement Systems & Data Support:

• Assist with administering procurement-related workflows within MCCA’s ERP system (Business Central), including data entry, purchase order setup, and system maintenance.
• Support the development and maintenance of dashboards and reporting tools to track procurement activity, open and past due orders, and contract performance.
• Contribute to system updates, configuration improvements, and procurement documentation in collaboration with IT and Finance.
• Assist in the transition from manual to electronic procurement processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

Purchasing & Contract Administration:

• Coordinate the creation and management of procurement records—including system entries, contractual documentation, and collaboration with internal teams—to ensure accurate setup of contracts and Standing Orders (SOs) in Business Central, along with ongoing tracking of supporting documentation throughout the procurement lifecycle.
• Obtain and review competitive bids, quotes, and proposals from vendors; support internal stakeholders in evaluation and selection processes.
• Maintain comprehensive procurement files—both paper and electronic—including contracts, supplier agreements, software licenses, and warranties. Create and manage organized record-keeping systems and documentation for each procurement and provide timely updates to relevant stakeholders as needed.
• Create and manage purchase orders, monitor deliveries, and ensure accurate receipt and inspection of goods and services.
• Conduct market research and total cost analysis.
• Assist with the end‑to‑end contract lifecycle, including solicitation, evaluation, award, negotiation, execution, and performance monitoring .
• Support procurement audits, reporting, and compliance reviews.

Strategic Procurement & Process Improvement:

• Identify opportunities for efficiency and cost savings through better procurement planning and process improvements.
• Collaborate with departments to track recurring purchases and help consolidate buying where appropriate.
• Assist in developing and revising procurement-related standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidance materials.

Vendor & Internal Stakeholder Support:

• Support communication with vendors to ensure clarity on order specifications, delivery expectations, and contract terms.
• Assist with inventory control procedures, including updating warehouse pricing and collaborating with the Warehouse Manager and departmental users.
• Participate in tracking and reporting supplier diversity metrics in partnership with other stakeholders.
• Support and provide guidance on vendor relationships, contract performance, and vendor record management. Facilitate business performance reviews by working with departments to evaluate whether vendors are meeting contractual KPIs and organizational needs, and offer solutions and guidance to improve outcomes where necessary.
• Assist the Director collaborating with the Authority’s Owner’s Project Manager (“OPM”) on all Capital Projects regarding scheduling and contract terms and conditions.
• Ensure confidentiality of all contract negotiations and financial data related to purchasing activities, as well as matters relating to risk concerns.
• Represent the MCCA and maintain professional relationships with state and federal agencies, outside supply sources, and relevant professional associations.
• Remove barriers to supplier diversity by researching and analyzing small businesses to align with procurement needs; analyze and plan opportunities to increase diverse business participation.
• Assist in managing relationships with internal stakeholders to develop best practices and ensure adherence to internal procedures and protocols, contributing to the strategic planning and execution of bidder Q&As, bidder conferences, RFPs, and contract negotiations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supplier Diversity Responsibilities

• Support compliance with the MCCA Supplier Diversity Program (MSDP) and the Commonwealth Supplier Diversity Program (SDP), including applicable DCAMM Affirmative Marketing Program requirement, as required by Massachusetts public procurement and construction laws.
• Conduct outreach to certified diverse, local, and small businesses when sourcing incidental and small procurements, including representing MCCA at external vendor events.
• Document good faith efforts, outreach activities, and supplier diversity participation in procurement files and folders.
• Participate in required supplier diversity and procurement training programs.
• Perform other work-related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUI REMENTS:

• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in procurement or purchasing
• Experience in a public sector or similarly regulated environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, including the use of pivot tables, formulas, and data analysis tools to interpret and manage procurement-related data effectively
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field preferred
• Familiarity with Massachusetts public procurement requirements, including M.G.L. Chapter 30B, and best value procurement principles, as well as applicable public construction laws (including M.G.L. c. 149 and related regulations) or willingness to complete relevant training
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or similar enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems; Microsoft Business Central preferred, though equivalent experience in a comparable platform such as SAP, Oracle, Coupa, or Workday will be considered
• Understanding of surplus asset management processes and vendor contract management
• Experience supporting procurement modernization or digital transformation efforts
• Familiarity with supplier diversity tracking or reporting frameworks

WORK SCHEDULE:

• Standard business hours, with the understanding that schedules may vary based on operational needs. This may include occasional early mornings or late evenings to support vendor interactions or system upgrades.
• All positions within the MCCA are designated as on-site roles. As such, this position requires in-person attendance five days per week. Remote or hybrid work arrangements are not part of MCCA's operational model.

DRESS CODE:

• Business formal. Employees are expected to project dignity and decorum appropriate for public-facing leadership roles through professional dress and grooming.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position primarily involves sedentary office work with frequent use of standard office equipment and occasional movement around and travel to MCCA facilities. The role may require attending off-site vendor meetings and occasionally lifting or carrying materials up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities will be provided in accordance with MCCA’s accommodation policy and applicable laws.

EMPLOYMENT AT-WILL:

• Employment with the MCCA is at-will. This means that either the employee or the MCCA may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, and nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to alter this at-will relationship.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome qualified applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected category.

If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, or to perform essential job functions, please contact our Human Resources team at View email address on ziprecruiter.com