Procurement Specialist II - 1708

SARA • Colorado Springs, CO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Scientific Applications and Research Associates, Inc. (SARA) is a defense research and development enterprise creating technology innovations for commercial companies and government agencies. SARA is seeking a procurement specialist to support its Colorado Springs, Colorado location and work with engineers, physicists, and technicians on established and new customer programs. The role performs day-to-day purchasing and procurement for systems and products, with responsibility for supplier communications, pricing, quality, and schedules.

The position manages purchase orders and subcontracts from requisition through closeout, including quote solicitation, competitive bidding, negotiations, order issuance and changes, delivery expediting, and issue resolution. It also supports government-contract compliance, supplier qualification and risk management, coordination with quality, engineering, contracts, receiving, inventory, and finance, and maintenance of purchasing files suitable for CPSR or DCMA review. The role uses Costpoint software to prepare purchase orders and may handle export-controlled and ITAR/EAR purchases.

The role is on-site unless indicated otherwise. The work environment is indoors, moderately quiet, reasonably clean, well-lighted, and well-ventilated; moderate physical hazards may exist. Light physical effort may be required, including standing, sitting, using hands, and carrying or lifting up to 20 pounds.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field; years of experience may be substituted for the degree.
• 6–10 years of experience in government purchasing or procurement.
• Experience with FAR/DFAR compliance.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Outlook and Windows programs, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational and analytical skills.
• U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• 10–12 years of relevant experience.
• CPSR experience.
• Active Top Secret DoD clearance.
• Costpoint experience.

Responsibilities

• Own purchase orders and subcontracts from requisition through closeout for materials, parts, services, and sometimes lower-tier subcontractors.
• Solicit quotes, conduct competitive bids, and document source selection when competition is required.
• Negotiate price, delivery, terms, and changes; issue purchase orders, amendments, and termination or stop-work notices.
• Manage the open-order book by expediting orders, resolving shortages, tracking deliveries, and clearing receiving discrepancies.
• Recommend make-or-buy and single-source justifications when competition is not practical.
• Verify product requirements and coordinate material purchases for programs.
• Review purchase requisitions for clarity, compliance, detail, and completeness, and obtain additional information when needed.
• Prepare purchase orders using Costpoint software.
• Ensure supplier documentation, including terms and conditions and NDAs, is ready before engagement.
• Coordinate vendor returns for material issues.
• Quote and source bills of material at the best price.
• Apply FAR, DFARS, and customer flow-down clauses to purchase orders.
• Classify buys as commercial, competitive, sole source, rated orders, or orders involving government-furnished property.
• Maintain purchase-order files that meet CPSR or DCMA review requirements, including market research, competition records, price or cost analysis, negotiation memoranda, flow-down checklists, and required consent or notifications.
• Flow down appropriate clauses to suppliers and confirm supplier capability before award, especially for rated orders, export-controlled hardware, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Qualify and maintain suppliers and track performance in quality, delivery, and responsiveness.
• Identify counterfeit, obsolescence, and single-source risks for long-lead and flight or mission hardware.
• Coordinate with quality, engineering, and contracts on first-article inspections, source inspections, and nonconformances.
• Handle export-controlled and ITAR/EAR purchases with appropriate markings, access limits, and supplier statements.
• Work with program managers and engineering on bills of material, need dates, and specification changes.
• Work with contracts on customer consent, advance notification, and purchasing-system procedures.
• Work with receiving, inventory, and finance on three-way matching, accruals, and government property.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, plus other supplemental programs.
• Generous PTO program including vacation, sick, and holiday time.
• Tuition and certification reimbursement.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Employee bonuses.
• 401(k) match/profit sharing.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level