Senior Purchasing Specialist

SUBCOM LLC•Baltimore, MD

6d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Senior Purchasing Specialist to manage and coordinate the procurement of maritime supplies, spare parts, equipment, and services required for vessel operations. The ideal candidate will have in-depth knowledge of maritime procurement practices, vendor management, and international shipping regulations. You will play a key role in ensuring timely, cost-effective, and quality procurement to support vessel maintenance and operational readiness.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Maritime Studies, Marine Engineering, or related field.
Minimum 8+ years of purchasing experience, in the maritime or shipping industry.
Direct experience in Maritime Provisioning with a cruise ship operator, commercial vessel operator, or military preferred.
Knowledge of Marine equipment, vessel types, and maritime terminology
Knowledge of International Sourcing and Logistics
Knowledge of Marine classification society requirements and safety standards
Strong negotiation, communication, and collaboration skills
Advanced cross-departmental and cross-functional management ability in a matrixed organization
Advanced organizational and time management abilities
Experience in process development, process management / improvement
Ability to mine data from disparate systems, pull into a useable format, present to impact decision-making
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision; a self-starter with a continuous improvement mindset
Proficiency in procurement software (e.g., ShipServ, ShipNet, Oracle, or similar systems)
Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional languages are a plus

Responsibilities

Source and procure marine equipment, spare parts, consumables, and technical services for vessels in line with company and regulatory standards.
Develop and maintain relationships with reliable suppliers and service providers worldwide.
Ability to strategically negotiate annual sourcing agreements
Review and analyze requisitions from vessels and shore-based marine departments.
Request and evaluate quotations, negotiate pricing and delivery terms with vendors.
Issue purchase orders (POs), confirm order acceptance, and follow up on order status and delivery timelines.
Coordinate with logistics providers and ensure timely delivery of goods to vessels at various ports.
Ensure all procured items comply with IMO, SOLAS, and other applicable maritime standards.
Monitor supplier performance, handle non-conformities, and manage warranty claims or returns as necessary.
Collaborate with vessel superintendents, technical managers, and port agents to ensure seamless procurement operations.
Maintain accurate records of purchases, pricing, and delivery documentation in ERP or procurement software.
Contribute to cost-saving, quality, performance, and procurement process improvement initiatives.