Procurement Specialist - Central Office

State of Nebraska; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 68,880,000 - 75,768,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Nebraska seeks a Procurement Specialist at Central Office in Lincoln to ensure fair, compliant procurement for goods and services. You’ll apply state policies, collaborate across teams, and manage multiple priorities while supporting reentry initiatives and public safety.

The role emphasizes attention to detail, vendor negotiations, and effective communication in a fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional growth and stable state employment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, procurement, supply/inventory operations or related field and procurement related experience.
• Experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

• Review purchase requests to ensure compliance with requirements and appropriate procurement methods.
• Identify and solicit vendors; obtain quotes, bids, and proposals using various procurement methods.
• Review vendor quotations for conformance to specifications and pricing.
• Analyze pricing, discounts, delivery costs, and vendor performance; negotiate and recommend offers.
• Prepare RFQs, issue amendments, and develop final contracts with supporting documentation.
• Prepare and place purchase orders and resolve billing or service deficiencies.
• Meet with vendors to address production, pricing, or performance concerns.
• Proactively manage assigned contracts for timely rebids or renewals.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, procurement, supply/inventory operations or related field

Tools

MS Office (Word/Outlook/Excel)

EnterpriseOne ERP

RFQ/quotations process

Procurement regulations knowledge

Accounting experience

Job description

The work we do matters! Hiring Agency: Correctional Services - Agency 46 Location: Lincoln, NE Hiring Rate: $24.035 Job Posting: JR2026-00029321 Procurement Specialist - Central Office (Open) Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):

Job Description: Help support safety and quality of life across the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) by ensuring fair, compliant, and competitive procurement for goods and services. In this fast-paced role at Central Office, you’ll apply state procurement policies, collaborate across teams, and work with diverse products and processes. Success requires strong attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple priorities, and excellent communication skills. You’ll also benefit from meaningful work that supports public safety, opportunities to grow your procurement expertise, a collaborative team environment, stable employment, and the chance to support reentry initiatives that provide meaningful work and skill development. Information about the Department can be found at: www.corrections.nebraska.gov. For Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, please contact Megan Jones at [e-mail].

Duties

• Review purchase requests for goods, equipment, and services to ensure compliance with requirements, and appropriate procurement methods based on compliance with state/agency policies, cost, urgency, and competition.
• Identify and solicit vendors; obtain and evaluate written quotes, bids, and proposals using open market, informal, and formal procurement processes.
• Review vendor quotations to determine conformance to specifications.
• Analyze pricing, discounts, delivery schedules, transportation costs, and vendor performance; negotiate with suppliers and recommend the most advantageous offers.
• Prepare detailed Requests for Quotation (RFQs), issue amendments when needed, and develop final contracts with supporting documentation and award recommendations.
• Prepare and place purchase orders and problem resolution for billing or service deficiencies.
• Meet with vendors to address production, pricing, or performance concerns.
• Proactive management of assigned contracts for timely rebids or renewals prior to contractual deadlines.
• Regular and reliable attendance is expected.

Requirements/Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, procurement, supply/inventory operations or related field AND procurement related experience.
• Experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Microsoft Office software to include proficiency in Word, Outlook, and Excel.
• Use of Enterprise One or similar enterprise-wide ERP/database software.
• Experience in obtaining quotes or preparing agreements for various goods and services.
• Experience or knowledge of state purchasing regulations.
• Accounting experience.

Other

• Must have a valid driver's license.

Pre-Employment & Training

Applicants accepting a job offer must pass the following pre-employment exams in this order: medical exam, and at a randomly announced time, pass a drug test. Once at the Staff Training Academy, must successfully complete the fully paid NE Corrections Training Program.

Benefits

Benefits We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation. Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics. We are seeking talented individuals to join our team in careers that make a difference in the lives of Nebraskans.

State Government is one of the largest and most diverse employers in Nebraska. Whether it's helping a vulnerable child, advancing public health, making highways safer, or preserving our natural resources, the work we do matters!