Junior Procurement Buyer

Mass Convention CenterAuthority • Boston, MA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

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, and the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center. 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.

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 Purchasing, the Junior Procurement Buyer supports the day‑to‑day purchasing of goods and services that enable MCCA operations. This role works collaboratively with Senior Buyer(s), Procurement Department staff, internal stakeholders, and vendors to support competitive sourcing, timely purchasing, and compliant procurement practices in alignment with MCCA’s best value procurement principles.

The Junior Procurement Buyer develops subject‑matter expertise in goods and services procurement, supplier diversity programs, applicable Commonwealth of Massachusetts procurement requirements, and the use of cooperative purchasing vehicles such as statewide contracts.

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.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required
• A minimum of 1-2 years of professional experience that includes exposure to purchasing, vendor coordination, documentation management, or business operations
• Demonstrated knowledge of the procurement lifecycle, such as competitive bidding, vendor solicitation, compliance documentation, and the preparation of purchasing documents such as RFQs and purchase orders
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint
• Experience working in an ERP system for purchasing and order processing; Microsoft Business Central preferred, though equivalent experience in a comparable platform such as SAP, Oracle, Coupa, or Workday will be considered
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage professionally with internal stakeholders, external vendors, and community constituents; present information clearly; and respond effectively to questions from diverse audiences
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities, meeting deadlines, maintaining accurate documentation, and recognizing when decisions or exceptions require escalation to management
• Demonstrated discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive information, including but not limited to vendor pricing, bid data, and internal budget details

Nice To Haves

• An associate's or bachelor's degree in Business, Public Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field
• Demonstrated knowledge in contract management and/or business program administration
• Professional work experience in a public authority, government agency, or similarly regulated procurement environment
• Experience working with various project constituencies, including government agencies, citizen and community advocacy groups, private sector businesses, and nonprofit organizations
• Familiarity with supplier diversity programs or experience sourcing from certified diverse and small businesses
• Knowledge of Massachusetts procurement laws, regulations, and/or public contracting requirements

Responsibilities

• Support the Procurement team with the day‑to‑day execution of goods and services procurements in accordance with MCCA policies and procedures
• Independently manage incidental and small procurements in compliance with established procurement thresholds, approval requirements, and best value principles
• Prepare Requests for Quotations (RFQs), solicit and evaluate written price quotations, and document pricing analyses and Best Value determinations
• Conduct preliminary market research and vendor outreach activities under the direction of the Director of Purchasing to support informed sourcing decisions
• Assist with cost and price analysis activities and prepare supporting documentation to ensure pricing reasonableness and audit readiness
• Maintain procurement files and folders for the goods and services contract portfolio, coordinating with other Procurement staff to ensure records are complete, accurate, and compliant with policy and record retention requirements
• Issue purchase orders in the Business Central financial system, following receipt of required approvals and confirmation of procurement method
• Coordinate with Procurement, Finance, and vendors to support invoice review and payment processing, ensuring vendor payments are issued in accordance with contract terms and agreed‑upon payment schedules
• Engage vendors on routine matters, including clarification requests, delivery coordination, and basic performance or service issues
• Escalate complex procurement decisions, negotiations, compliance issues, or vendor disputes to Senior Buyer(s) or the Director of Purchasing, as appropriate
• Support compliance with the MCCA Supplier Diversity Program (MSDP) and the Commonwealth Supplier Diversity Program (SDP), as applicable
• Conduct outreach to certified diverse, local, and small businesses when sourcing incidental and small procurements
• 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 by Director of Purchasing

Benefits

• Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities will be provided in accordance with MCCA’s accommodation policy and applicable laws.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees