Buyer Specialist

Virginia Tech • Blacksburg, VA

6d • $50,000 - $60,000

About The Position

The Buyer Specialist at Virginia Tech’s Procurement Department supports procurement and contracting activities across university departments and spend categories, ensuring compliance with university policies and state regulations. The position acquires goods and services, construction, and professional services; manages vendor relationships; and executes contracts while contributing to procurement goals. It also strengthens strategic vendor partnerships, supports contract management, and helps ensure efficient procurement processes that deliver value to the university.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain, Construction, or a related field, or equivalent experience in procurement, contracting, or contract administration.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well within a team, learn quickly, and manage multiple tasks.
• Attention to detail and demonstrated ability to follow processes effectively.

Nice To Haves

• Understanding of procurement and contracting practices for goods and services, construction, and/or professional services.
• Experience in contract administration, including drafting and handling modifications, renewals, performance evaluations, and dispute resolution.
• Experience working with public sector procurement or highly regulated industries.
• Familiarity with Virginia public procurement practices.
• Ability to obtain a relevant procurement certification within 24 months of appointment, such as CUPO, VCCO, or CPPB.

Responsibilities

• Acquire goods and services, construction, and professional services.
• Manage vendor relationships and execute contracts.
• Support procurement and contracting activities across university departments and spend categories while ensuring compliance with university policies and state regulations.
• Contribute to procurement goals and enhance strategic partnerships with vendors.
• Provide support for contract management and help ensure efficient procurement processes that deliver value to the university.

Benefits

• Virginia Tech encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance, which provide opportunities for impactful professional development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time