Senior Procurement Specialist (Contracts)
About The Position
The Senior Procurement Specialist leads and supports the National Education Association’s contracting and procurement functions to ensure timely, cost-effective, and compliant acquisition of goods and services. The role supports contract development, vendor relations and negotiations, procurement operations, requests for proposals, and policy compliance in partnership with internal stakeholders and business units. It establishes standardized, efficient procurement practices; conducts market research and analysis; mitigates risk; optimizes contract terms; and ensures alignment with organizational strategy, regulations, and internal controls. The position also serves as a contract and procurement subject matter expert for the Unit4 ERP system, creates vendor tracking and evaluation mechanisms, conducts budget and cost analyses, supports training, and promotes compliance and system adoption. The role requires occasional travel and involves computer use, communication, proofreading and editing, interpersonal work, reasoning and problem-solving, working in a fast-paced environment, and sitting for extended periods. It may also require stooping, bending, reaching, carrying light materials up to 10 pounds, and traveling by airplane, car, or other transportation.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Real Estate, Computer Science, Management, Systems Administration, Information Systems, or an equivalent combination of education and experience providing comparable knowledge and skills.
- Five years of progressive professional experience in contracts and procurement.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex contract negotiations and competitive procurement processes in regulated or mission-driven environments.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience overseeing the entire contract process, from negotiation and review through execution and maintenance.
- Experience using ERPs, specifically Unit4 modules, or a comparable cloud-based ERP solution such as Workday, Oracle Cloud ERP, or Microsoft Dynamics 365.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Excel, and Adobe.
- Ability to manage the full contract lifecycle, including negotiating pricing, terms, service levels, and performance standards.
- Ability to manage RFP processes, including bidder identification, coordination of briefings and conferences, and establishment of evaluation systems.
- Highly effective analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Ability to handle multiple complex projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing priorities or conditions.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with individuals and groups at all organizational levels.
- Ability to identify and mitigate contractual, financial, and operational risks related to vendor relationships and purchasing.
- Ability to conduct market research and industry analysis to identify suppliers, pricing trends, and sourcing opportunities.
- Effective organizational and project management skills.
- Experience interpreting and applying federal, state, and local rules and regulations.
- Successful references and background check.
- Ability to travel occasionally.
Nice To Haves
- Specialized courses or training in Procurement Strategy, Supply Chain, or Professional Purchasing.
- Experience developing and implementing policies.
- Experience supporting ERP, financial management, or other business systems and developing custom reports and dashboards.
- Knowledge of NEA’s financial and membership services environment.
- Experience using Microsoft Excel.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate the full contract lifecycle, including drafting, negotiation, execution, monitoring, amendments, and close-out.
- Negotiate pricing, terms, service levels, and performance standards to achieve best value and manage organizational risk.
- Develop and maintain vendor relationships and manage vendor performance, compliance, and issue resolution.
- Oversee purchase order processes and maintain appropriate documentation, approvals, and audit trails.
- Support RFP coordination, including identifying potential bidders, arranging briefings and conferences, and establishing bidder evaluation systems.
- Conduct market research and industry analysis to identify suppliers, emerging vendors, pricing trends, and sourcing opportunities.
- Maintain vetted supplier portfolios and preferred vendor lists.
- Partner with program leaders to evaluate vendors for complex, high-risk, or mission-critical procurements.
- Lead cost-optimization initiatives by analyzing spending, contract utilization, and supplier performance and recommending savings strategies.
- Develop and implement sourcing plans that balance cost, quality, service levels, and risk.
- Ensure procurement and contracting comply with applicable regulations, industry practices, collective bargaining agreements, and Association policies.
- Develop and update procurement and contracting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
- Identify and mitigate contractual, financial, and operational risks associated with vendors and purchasing.
- Support process improvements, system enhancements, and training initiatives to improve efficiency and user adoption.
- Guide and train internal stakeholders on procurement procedures, contract requirements, and best practices.
- Manage vendor agreements, including service-level agreements and professional services agreements, to ensure delivery and accountability.
- Evaluate contracting processes and recommend improvements aligned with business goals.
- Conduct budget and cost analyses and create vendor tracking and evaluation mechanisms.
- Support strategic sourcing initiatives and organizational priorities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
