Strategic Contracts & Procurement Specialist

California-Institute-of-Technology; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement savings plans

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

California Institute of Technology in Pasadena is seeking a Contracting Officer to support purchasing and contract administration across departments. You will handle complex procurements, negotiate terms, generate purchase orders, and ensure audit-ready documentation.

The role emphasizes collaboration, vendor relations, and strategic sourcing to optimize value. The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree with purchasing experience (4+ years or 6 years total) and strong communication, customer

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree + 4 years purchasing experience or 6 years purchasing experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Strong customer focus and demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Handle moderate to complex procurements of supplies, equipment, and services with high financial exposure.
• Communicate with suppliers and internal customers to develop technically sound contracts and/or procurement documents.
• Source, obtaining quotations/bids, making awards, and preparing and issuing purchase orders.
• Monitor, amending, and closing out standard and declining balance purchase orders.
• Processing and reconciling credit card purchases.
• Preparing competitive and non-competitive procurement justifications.
• Performing cost or price analyses and recommending options that best meet customer requirements.
• Negotiating specifications and terms and conditions and administering procurement contracts.
• Documenting procurement packages to comply with internal and external audit requirements.
• Being a self-starter with the ability to work as part of a team or independently as an individual contributor.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer focus

Team player

Self-motivated

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree in business administration

Job description

California Institute of Technology in Pasadena is seeking a Contracting Officer to support purchasing and contract administration across departments. You will handle complex procurements, negotiate terms, generate purchase orders, and ensure audit-ready documentation.

The role emphasizes collaboration, vendor relations, and strategic sourcing to optimize value. The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree with purchasing experience (4+ years or 6 years total) and strong communication, customer