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Purchasing Specialist

Northeastern University

Details

Posted:

May 22, 2026

Location:

Boston, Massachusetts

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Purchasing Specialist

About the Opportunity

Job Summary

The Purchasing Specialist serves as the main point person and subject matter expert on the procure-to-pay and contract processes for research in the Departments of Chemical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering, including but not limited to navigating the contract process and understanding the requirements for different payment types and requests for Chemical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty. The Purchasing Specialist will be responsible for managing the process, facilitating, and executing research purchases with a high level of accuracy and customer service. They will partner with the post-award management team to ensure purchases are compliant with the proposed funding source and create documentation to capture existing and new workflows, provide reports and statistics as directed, and perform other duties as required. This person will be trained in grant compliance and be able to advise faculty to ensure purchases are compliant with sponsor and university policies. This person will negotiate quotes and manage the contract process for the faculty member. This person will be asked to analyze purchasing data and identify trends to make processes more efficient.

This position will be split evenly between the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The home department will be Chemical Engineering. This position is hybrid with the understanding that the person is in-person at least 4 days a week - two of those with each department.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

Manage P2P - Research Purchases

Manage the process, facilitate, and execute research purchases with a high level of accuracy and customer service
Partner with the post-award team to ensure purchases are compliant with the proposed funding source
Create documentation to capture existing and new workflows, provide reports and statistics as directed, and perform other duties as required
Maintain training in grant compliance and problem solve within grant regulations
Use Workday Finance, IntelliBUY+ (for supplier management, contract submissions, and catalog purchasing), and Concur

Manage Purchase Orders & Contracts

Manage the purchase order and contract process for research items from beginning to end
Serve as liaison between the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and faculty, tracking and filing all contracts in an organized and timely manner
Serve as the expert on the contract and payment processes and proactively manage contract and payment processes
Negotiate directly with vendors to answer questions, problem solve, set expectations, and request and organize required documentation
Educate department faculty, staff colleagues, and vendors on processes and timelines and communicate regularly throughout the process to maintain strong working relationships between the university and external vendors
Continuously aim to improve existing processes to shorten processing timelines and increase overall efficiency

Project Assistance

Work with university, college, and department staff and faculty on purchasing projects, including business process improvements, workflow documentation, and development of department-specific training materials
Seek improvements to optimize procurement workflow and best practices
Research initiatives for cost reduction
Perform other miscellaneous tasks as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Required

Associate's degree
Desktop software application skills in web browsers, Adobe, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Outlook
Excellent organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills
Aptitude for accuracy and detailed work
Ability to prioritize work and multitask with ease and efficiency
Process-oriented, with the ability to work both independently and in a team environment
Ability to stay current with all new and existing regulatory requirements and institutional policies and procedures, and to keep faculty Principal Investigators (PIs) and department leadership informed of changes
Aptitude for treating sensitive information related to salaries in a confidential and professional manner, given the amount of personal and financial information involved
High level of customer service and boutique support

Preferred

Bachelor's degree
Experience working with Smartsheet and Airtable

Position Type

Finance

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:
106H

Expected Hiring Range:
$23.37 - $32.14

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.

To apply, visit https://northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/job/Boston-MA-Main-Campus/Purchasing-Specialist_R140074

Internal Number: 7180715

About Northeastern University

Founded in 1898, Northeastern University is a private research university located in the heart of Boston. Northeastern is a leader in worldwide experiential learning, urban engagement, and interdisciplinary research that meets global and societal needs. Our broad mix of experience-based education programs?our signature cooperative education program, as well as student research, service learning, and global learning?build the connections that enable students to transform their lives. The University offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs leading to degrees through the doctorate in nine colleges and schools.

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Purchasing Specialist

Northeastern University

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