Buyer Specialist

Virginia Tourism Corporation; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech’s Procurement Department seeks a Buyer Specialist to support procurement and contracting across university departments. The role focuses on acquiring goods and services, including construction and professional services, while ensuring compliance with university policies and state regulations.

The successful candidate will manage vendor relationships, assist with contract management, and contribute to efficient procurement processes that deliver value to Virginia Tech.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in procurement, contracting, or contract administration.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well within a team, learn quickly, and manage multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

• Support procurement and contracting activities across university departments and spend categories.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and state regulations.
• Acquire goods and services including construction and professional services.
• Manage vendor relationships and execute contracts.
• Support contract management and help improve procurement processes.

Skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in procurement/contracting

Job description

Job Description

The Buyer Specialist at Virginia Tech’s Procurement Department plays a critical role in supporting procurement and contracting activities across various university departments and spend categories, ensuring compliance with university policies and state regulations. This position involves acquiring goods and services, construction and professional services as well as managing vendor relationships and executing contracts while contributing to the achievement of procurement goals. The Buyer Specialist is also responsible for enhancing strategic partnerships with vendors, providing support for contract management, and ensuring efficient procurement processes that deliver value to the university.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain, Construction, or a related field, or equivalent experience in procurement, contracting, or contract administration.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well within a team, learn quickly, and manage multiple tasks.
• Attention to detail and demonstrated ability to follow processes effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of procurement and contracting practices for goods and services, construction and/or professional services.
• Experience in contract administration, including drafting and handling modifications, renewals, performance evaluations, and dispute resolution.
• Experience working with public sector procurement or highly regulated industries.
• Familiarity with Virginia public procurement practices.
• Ability to obtain relevant procurement certification within 24 months of appointment. This could include CUPO, VCCO, CPPB, etc.

Pay Band

4

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Salary range of $50,000 - $60,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

11/18/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto,Ut Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive communitydedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicinecollege, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension officesand research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Zach LaCroixat [e-mail] regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.