Procurement Specialist

UPL•Cary, NC

About The Position

The Procurement Specialist is based in Cary, North Carolina, and reports directly to the Procurement Lead, NA. The role identifies key suppliers of raw materials, negotiates purchasing agreements, and ensures materials and products meet company specifications. It also handles indirect purchases and works closely with Planning, Manufacturing, and the Kingstree, South Carolina plant. The position focuses on prudent cost management, supplier evaluation, analysis of price proposals, and cost savings through material standardization and vendor bundling.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience in production planning environments and purchasing raw materials, packaging materials, equipment, and supplies.
Demonstrated success negotiating optimal pricing terms and working on teams.
Working knowledge of SAP.
High proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Ability to respond agilely to changing business needs and identify and champion ideas for improvement and growth.
Good communication skills, including listening and presenting information logically and articulately to the appropriate audience.
Strong negotiation skills and the ability to confer with others, explore alternatives, resolve differences, and reach outcomes supported by all parties.
High attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability and track record of managing complex sourcing and procurement projects.

Nice To Haves

Experience or specialization in the agriculture or chemical industry.
CPM or APICS certification.

Responsibilities

Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and incoterms for non-contracted raw materials according to requirements in purchasing files or IVALUA purchase requisitions.
Execute purchase orders to meet delivery and specification requirements, and maintain and update purchase order and vendor requirements in the company planning system.
Solicit suppliers, request bids, negotiate prices, and implement arrangements for required materials and services.
Maintain accurate system data, including pricing, lead times, and dates, and monitor orders to ensure vendor commitments are met and expedite needs are addressed.
Attend meetings and inform Planning and Production teams about issues or risks that could prevent the organization from meeting internal or external customer demands.
Communicate delivery requirements to Planning and Production teams to support production schedules.
Prepare and present monthly dashboard and recommendation reports for Supply Chain.
Manage vendors for quality, service, price, and on-time delivery.
Collaborate with suppliers, Manufacturing, and the packaging consultant to establish material specification sheets for purchased materials.
Research opportunities to reduce costs.