CORE is seeking an experienced Procurement Officer to join the Global Procurement and Logistics Department. This position is to prepare, review, and source solicitations, negotiate contracts and manage the procurement process for a wide variety of products and services. This employee ensures all procurement transactions meet ethical standards and comply with applicable laws and regulations. These responsibilities require an attention to detail, excellent writing skills and close coordination with other professional and technical staff as well as CORE’s international Offices, Leadership and staff, bidders, and vendors.
Responsibilities:
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Review Procurement Requests: Assess and validate procurement requests to ensure compliance with organizational policies and budgetary constraints.
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Source Needed Goods and Services: Identify and evaluate reliable suppliers/vendors to meet organizational needs efficiently and cost-effectively.
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Develop, Maintain, and Evaluate Supplier/Vendor Performance: Conduct regular evaluations of supplier performance, including delivery timelines, quality standards, and overall reliability, and maintain strong vendor relationships.
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Maintain Adequate Procurement Records: Keep accurate and organized procurement records, including details on items or services purchased, costs, delivery timelines, product quality, supplier performance, and inventory levels.
- Issue Purchase Orders and Contracts: Prepare and issue purchase orders and contracts, ensuring terms align with organizational goals and compliance requirements, while securing the best possible cost, quality, and value.
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Negotiate Contracts: Lead negotiations with suppliers to establish favorable pricing, terms, conditions, and volume agreements, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and standards.
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Resolve Supplier and Logistics Issues: Address supplier-related accounting problems, manage returns, and expedite shipping or delivery issues, including handling import/export compliance where applicable.
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Analyze Immediate Material Needs: Monitor and analyze shortage reports to prioritize urgent material or component requirements, ensuring uninterrupted project workflows or operations.
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Inventory Management: Collaborate with logistics teams to manage inventory levels efficiently across all CORE-controlled warehouses, reducing waste and optimizing stock availability.
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Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure all procurement activities adhere to legal, regulatory, and donor-specific guidelines, mitigating risks and promoting transparency in the procurement process.
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Market Research: Stay updated on market trends and emerging suppliers to maintain competitive sourcing strategies and identify cost-saving opportunities.
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Support Budget Management: Work with finance teams to ensure procurement expenditures align with budgetary limits and provide accurate forecasts for future purchasing needs.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, or related discipline
- Desired: MBA
Experience:
- A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in national and international procurement, contract management, administration or related area is required
- At least three (3) years of direct firsthand work in procurement is required.
- Experience in acquisition of strategic, high value and complex scope of goods and services from worldwide sources and for diversified clients in multiple countries is required.
- Experience in supervising a procurement team that manages the acquisition of diversified categories of goods and services to support multiple clients is desirable.
- Familiarity with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Skills and Competencies:
- Technical Skills
- Strong understanding of procurement policies, procedures, and compliance standards.
- Proficiency in using procurement software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Sage, or other ERP systems).
- Knowledge of market research and vendor sourcing techniques.
- Familiarity with contract management and negotiation practices.
Analytical Skills
- Ability to analyze supplier bids and proposals to determine the best value for the organization.
- Proficiency in data analysis and financial reporting related to procurement activities.
- Problem-solving skills to address procurement-related challenges effectively.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills to interact with vendors and internal stakeholders.
- Strong negotiation skills to secure favorable terms and pricing with suppliers.
- Relationship-building skills to maintain positive supplier partnerships.
Organizational & Time Management Skills
- Ability to manage multiple procurement requests and deadlines efficiently.
- Strong attention to detail to ensure accuracy in procurement documentation and processes.
- Proactive planning to meet organizational procurement goals and timelines.
Ethical Standards
- Commitment to transparency and ethical procurement practices.
- Understanding of anti-corruption and anti-bribery principles in procurement.
Adaptability & Innovation
- Flexibility to adapt to changes in procurement needs or priorities.
- Ability to identify and implement innovative procurement solutions to optimize cost and efficiency.
Regulatory & Industry Knowledge
- Familiarity with international procurement standards (e.g., INCOTERMS, FCPA) and donor-specific requirements if applicable.
- Awareness of industry trends to maintain competitive sourcing strategies.
Team Collaboration
- Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including finance, operations, and project managers.
- Leadership skills to guide junior procurement staff when needed.
Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records checks, sex offender registries, employment, education verifications and child abuse registry check (if required by state regulations) are required post job offer and prior to employment.
Safeguarding
CORE is committed to keeping children and vulnerable individuals safe and has a Zero Tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse. Every CORE employee, consultant and volunteer is bound by CORE’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy. By applying for this position, an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s safeguarding, sexual misconduct, (child) sexual exploitation and abuse, or human trafficking policy.