Senior Procurement Buyer/Category Manager

Mass Convention CenterAuthority•Boston, MA

8d•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, the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, and the MassMutual Center (MMC). 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 Procurement and Contract Management, the Senior Procurement Buyer/Category Manager supports the day‑to‑day execution of procurement and contracting functions across the Authority. This role serves as a technical, systems-focused resource within the Procurement team, supporting the full procurement lifecycle from requisition through contract administration and vendor performance management. The Senior Procurement Buyer/Category Manager works closely with the Junior Procurement Buyer, procurement leadership, internal departments, and external vendors to facilitate timely, accurate, and compliant procurement transactions. In addition, the position contributes to the modernization of procurement practices through data management, reporting, business process improvement, and the digitization of procurement systems, while exercising a high degree of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality in all aspects of the role, including compliance with procurement practices, laws, regulations, and alignment with MCCA’s best practices procurement principles. 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

Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in procurement or purchasing
Experience in a public sector or similarly regulated environment
Proficient in Microsoft Excel, including the use of pivot tables, formulas, and data analysis tools to interpret and manage procurement-related data effectively
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Nice To Haves

Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field preferred
Familiarity with Massachusetts public procurement requirements, including M.G.L. Chapter 30B, and best value procurement principles, as well as applicable public construction laws (including M.G.L. c. 149 and related regulations) or willingness to complete relevant training
Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or similar enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems; Microsoft Business Central preferred, though equivalent experience in a comparable platform such as SAP, Oracle, Coupa, or Workday will be considered
Understanding of surplus asset management processes and vendor contract management
Experience supporting procurement modernization or digital transformation efforts
Familiarity with supplier diversity tracking or reporting frameworks

Responsibilities

Assist with administering procurement-related workflows within MCCA’s ERP system (Business Central), including data entry, purchase order setup, and system maintenance.
Support the development and maintenance of dashboards and reporting tools to track procurement activity, open and past due orders, and contract performance.
Contribute to system updates, configuration improvements, and procurement documentation in collaboration with IT and Finance.
Assist in the transition from manual to electronic procurement processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
Coordinate the creation and management of procurement records—including system entries, contractual documentation, and collaboration with internal teams—to ensure accurate setup of contracts and Standing Orders (SOs) in Business Central, along with ongoing tracking of supporting documentation throughout the procurement lifecycle.
Obtain and review competitive bids, quotes, and proposals from vendors; support internal stakeholders in evaluation and selection processes.
Maintain comprehensive procurement files—both paper and electronic—including contracts, supplier agreements, software licenses, and warranties. Create and manage organized record-keeping systems and documentation for each procurement and provide timely updates to relevant stakeholders as needed.
Create and manage purchase orders, monitor deliveries, and ensure accurate receipt and inspection of goods and services.
Conduct market research and total cost analysis.
Assist with the end‑to‑end contract lifecycle, including solicitation, evaluation, award, negotiation, execution, and performance monitoring.
Support procurement audits, reporting, and compliance reviews.
Identify opportunities for efficiency and cost savings through better procurement planning and process improvements.
Collaborate with departments to track recurring purchases and help consolidate buying where appropriate.
Assist in developing and revising procurement-related standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidance materials.
Support communication with vendors to ensure clarity on order specifications, delivery expectations, and contract terms.
Assist with inventory control procedures, including updating warehouse pricing and collaborating with the Warehouse Manager and departmental users.
Participate in tracking and reporting supplier diversity metrics in partnership with other stakeholders.
Support and provide guidance on vendor relationships, contract performance, and vendor record management. Facilitate business performance reviews by working with departments to evaluate whether vendors are meeting contractual KPIs and organizational needs, and offer solutions and guidance to improve outcomes where necessary.
Assist the Director collaborating with the Authority’s Owner’s Project Manager (“OPM”) on all Capital Projects regarding scheduling and contract terms and conditions.
Ensure confidentiality of all contract negotiations and financial data related to purchasing activities, as well as matters relating to risk concerns.
Represent the MCCA and maintain professional relationships with state and federal agencies, outside supply sources, and relevant professional associations.
Remove barriers to supplier diversity by researching and analyzing small businesses to align with procurement needs; analyze and plan opportunities to increase diverse business participation.
Assist in managing relationships with internal stakeholders to develop best practices and ensure adherence to internal procedures and protocols, contributing to the strategic planning and execution of bidder Q&As, bidder conferences, RFPs, and contract negotiations.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Support compliance with the MCCA Supplier Diversity Program (MSDP) and the Commonwealth Supplier Diversity Program (SDP), including applicable DCAMM Affirmative Marketing Program requirement, as required by Massachusetts public procurement and construction laws.
Conduct outreach to certified diverse, local, and small businesses when sourcing incidental and small procurements, including representing MCCA at external vendor events.
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.