Procurement Specialist

CEI; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 83,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) match

Job summary

CEI is seeking a Back Procurement Specialist in Portland, OR for a hybrid 6-month contract. You will lead strategic procurement across complex categories, drive sourcing events, and manage supplier negotiations to optimize total value.

You will own category strategy end-to-end and advise stakeholders on contracting, governance, and risk management in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, finance or related field.
• 5+ years in supply chain, category management or strategic sourcing.
• Experience with RFx, contracts and supplier negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of bid packages (RFP/RFQ/RFI) for complex sourcing.
• Drive end-to-end sourcing events and supplier negotiations.
• Draft, negotiate and finalize contracts.
• Oversee contract lifecycle management and renewals.
• Maintain contract governance and compliance.

Skills

Supply chain experience

Category management

Sourcing

Negotiation

MS Office

ERP/Procurement systems

Communication

Organizational skills

Contract management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PeopleSoft

SharePoint

eRecords

Job description

Back Procurement Specialist
Other Portland , Oregon Contract Hybrid Oct 5, 2026

• Title: Procurement Specialist
• Location: Portland, OR (Hybrid: 3 days/week onsite; remote considered for PST or MST time zones)
• Contract: W2 only, 6-month contract with potential for extension or conversion to full time with the client
• Pay: $60-65/hour + optional medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match

Overview

As a Category Manager (Procurement Specialist – P3), you will lead strategic procurement initiatives across complex and high-impact categories. You will own category strategy development end-to-end, drive value creation across the enterprise, and serve as a strategic advisor to stakeholders through sourcing, negotiations, and supplier management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead development of comprehensive bid packages (RFP/RFQ/RFI), including scope definition, pricing structures, evaluation criteria, and commercial terms for complex sourcing initiatives.
• Drive end-to-end sourcing events, facilitating cross-functional evaluations, analyzing commercial and risk factors, and leading supplier negotiations to achieve optimal total value.
• Draft, negotiate, and finalize contracts across a range of complexity levels, ensuring alignment with sourcing strategy, risk mitigation standards, and business objectives.
• Oversee contract lifecycle management, including renewals, amendments, and terminations, ensuring timely execution, system workflow compliance, and audit readiness.
• Maintain rigorous contract documentation and governance standards to support regulatory and internal controls.
• Serve as strategic point of contact for suppliers, managing commercial relationships and ensuring alignment with performance expectations and contractual obligations.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities, financial stability, and risk exposure as part of sourcing and ongoing performance management.
• Lead performance reviews, address service or delivery gaps, and implement corrective action plans in partnership with Category Managers and business stakeholders.
• Support supplier onboarding and ensure compliance with governance, safety, and operational standards.
• Collaborate with senior business stakeholders to define requirements, assess demand, and translate operational needs into sourcing and contracting strategies.
• Provide expert guidance on procurement methods, market dynamics, and contracting approaches to drive informed decision-making.
• Influence stakeholders through data-driven insights, cost modeling, and risk analysis to support strategic outcomes.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with enterprise objectives, market conditions, and risk tolerance.
• Apply advanced knowledge of procurement methodologies, contract structures, and negotiation strategies to solve complex or recurring business challenges.
• Ensure full compliance with procurement policies while identifying opportunities to enhance processes, improve efficiency, and optimize total cost of ownership.

Required Skills

• 5+ yearsin supply chain, category management/strategic sourcing or related field.
• Excellent organizational work management skills
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Supply chain procurement and contracting experience
• Advanced knowledge of inventory control practices and systems (depending on area of specialization)
• Advanced knowledge of contracting and procurement methods, standards, procedures and processes
• Intermediate knowledge of business practices and market conditions applicable to program and technical requirements sufficient to evaluate bids, contractor responsibility and contractor performance
• Intermediate skills in formulating sourcing strategies that accomplish performance and savings goals, anticipate potential threats or opportunities and are consistent with company goals and policies
• Intermediate skills in negotiating contracts for goods and services
• Intermediate computer skills using Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and enterprise resource-planning systems and record systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, SharePoint, eRecords)

Required Education

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, finance or other related field.

Preferred Skills

• 6 + years in procurement, sourcing, or contract management.
• Experience developing strategies, managing RFx and negotiating contracts for complex categories.
• Strong experience with ERP/Procurement systems and procurement workflows
• Preferred Certifications: CPSM, CIPS, or similar procurement credentials.
• Utility experience
• Familiarity with the Oracle software system
• Project management experience
• The organizational structure is such that the position will report directly to the Senior Manager with one immediate peer. However, the position is located within the Supply Chain department with a headcount of approximately 100 individuals. The initiative/deliverable involves the analysis of supply chain contracts, negotiating and maintaining relationships with suppliers, and maintaining electronic systems with supplier data.
• For this position to be successful, they must have a proficiency relating to the analysis of supply chain contracts, negotiating and maintaining relationships with suppliers, and maintaining electronic systems with supplier data on day 1 and will need to ramp up familiarity with client contracts and electronic systems quickly.
• Utilities Experience required: No

Why Should I Apply?

Join a high-impact procurement function where you can lead complex sourcing and contracting initiatives while influencing enterprise-wide value, risk, and supplier performance outcomes.

About CEI:

As a trusted technology partner, CEI delivers solutions that help our customers transform their business and achieve meaningful results. From strategy and custom application development through application management - our technology and digital experience services are tailored to meet each unique need of our customers. Our staffing solutions bring specialized skills to complement our customers' workforce and project requirements.

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