Procurement Specialist

State of Arkansas • Little Rock, AR

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Procurement Specialist assists with procuring goods and services for state government operations. Under the supervision of senior procurement staff, the role supports procurement activities in compliance with state laws and regulations and promotes transparency, efficiency, and accountability. The posting describes a summer internship with the Office of State Procurement, providing hands-on exposure to public procurement and projects such as contract management, training materials and communications, vendor maintenance, contract analysis, reporting, and data analysis. The internship is 11 weeks, full-time at 40 hours per week, in person at the Little Rock office, with dates of May 24 through August 6, 2027; start and end dates are flexible. State-issued equipment and access are provided and must be returned at the end of the internship.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, supply chain management, or a related field is required for the Procurement Specialist position.
• The internship is intended for current Arkansas college students entering their junior or senior year in Fall 2026.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate, thorough records and carefully review documents to identify discrepancies or inconsistencies.
• Strong attention to detail when assisting with contracts, orders, and invoices.
• Ability to communicate professionally and clearly with internal teams, vendors, and other stakeholders, including explaining procurement requirements and providing status updates.

Nice To Haves

• Students majoring in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or Technical Writing are especially encouraged to apply; other majors will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Support senior procurement staff with the procurement cycle, including requisitioning, issuing requests for proposals, evaluating bids, and drafting purchase orders.
• Help ensure procurement procedures are followed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Assist in preparing documentation related to vendor selection, contracts, and purchase agreements.
• Communicate with vendors and suppliers about procurement needs, requirements, and contract terms.
• Assist with reviewing vendor proposals and contracts for compliance with state specifications.
• Coordinate with vendors to track order status and delivery schedules and confirm goods and services are received as agreed.
• Maintain accurate records of procurement transactions, including purchase orders, contracts, and vendor communications.
• Ensure procurement documents are properly filed and accessible for review or audit.
• Assist with tracking contract renewals, extensions, and modifications to keep contracts current and compliant with state policies.
• Assist with contract management, training materials and communications, vendor maintenance, contract analysis, reporting, and data analysis.

Benefits

• Hands-on, real-world experience in public procurement.
• Opportunity to apply classroom learning in a professional government setting.
• Professional skills applicable to other career paths.
• State-issued equipment and access provided for the internship.

What This Job Offers

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