Procurement Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

We are looking for a Procurement Specialist to support purchasing and contracting activities for a broad range of goods and services in Minnesota. This Long-term Contract position is well suited for an early-career procurement specialist who can manage solicitations, prepare compliant contracts, and help maintain strong purchasing practices across a public-sector environment. The role works closely with senior procurement staff to ensure acquisitions and agreements align with applicable regulations, internal policies, and budget requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Lead intake and coordination of procurement requests, gathering business needs and determining the most appropriate purchasing approach for each requirement.

• Prepare and manage competitive solicitation activities by researching the market, drafting scopes or specifications, building evaluation criteria, issuing bid documents, and supporting solicitation events through award.

• Create and process contracts for materials, equipment, services, and grant-related expenditures, ensuring all terms reflect approved awards and required documentation is complete and accurate.

• Review bonds, insurance certificates, pricing details, and supporting records to confirm compliance with standards, statutes, and applicable requirements.

• Maintain organized official procurement files and assist with audit support, responses, and related documentation inquiries.

• Support contract administration by helping resolve supplier performance concerns, pricing discrepancies, warranty matters, and other issues that arise during the agreement lifecycle.

• Coordinate contract updates such as renewals, amendments, extensions, terminations, and negotiated changes in accordance with contract terms and procurement rules.

• Analyze departmental purchasing patterns, upcoming needs, and available sourcing options to recommend cost-effective contracting strategies, renewals, and purchasing opportunities.

• Provide guidance to internal stakeholders on procurement procedures and participate in community engagement activities related to purchasing and contracting when needed.

• At least 2 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, contract support, or a closely related function.
• Working knowledge of corporate procurement practices, purchasing workflows, and purchase order processes.
• Experience supporting competitive solicitations, vendor selection activities, and contract document preparation.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements in a structured purchasing environment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to review pricing, evaluate responses, and identify compliance issues.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for working with internal departments, suppliers, auditors, and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in organizing procurement records and managing multiple assignments with close attention to detail.
• Experience with contract negotiations or contract change administration is preferred.