Senior Procurement Specialist
Key Skills for This Role
Full Job Posting
Work Schedule
- Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)
Location
- Fairfax, VA
Workplace Type
- Hybrid Eligible
- Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship
- Pay Band: 05
Salary
- Salary commensurate with education and experience
- Criminal Background Check: Yes
About the Department
The College of Science Finance team serves the financial and procurement needs for the college. This includes providing excellent customer service to our departments, central university stakeholders, and other colleges within the university. The overall team oversees planning and execution of the college’s finance and procurement related initiatives and processes including financial management and budgeting, forecasting and modeling, and financial controls. Statement on Building an Inclusive Culture George Mason University College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and fostering an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation throughout our STEM community. At Mason Science, our values include cultivating an organizational culture that promotes belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that varied opinions, cultures, and perspectives are what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing cultural responsiveness in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.
About the Position
The Senior Procurement Specialist manages complex procurement processes, including high-value purchases, and works with Central Fiscal Services/Purchasing offices on strategic vendor negotiations. This position acts as a subject matter expert in one or more procurement categories (e.g., IT, research equipment, Travel, etc.) and ensures compliance with all applicable regulations.
Complex Procurement of Goods and Services
Receives and processes purchase requests from internal customers (i.e., faculty, staff) by liaising with vendors to place orders, tracking receipt of goods, ensuring orders are fully complete/paid, and resolving issues that arise;
Identifies the appropriate means to procure the goods (e.g., eVA purchasing system, P-card, honorarium request, reimbursement request, etc.) and ensures requests are within procurement-related policies;
Works collaboratively with internal customers to understand procurement requests and required specifications; monitors purchasing activities from initiation through completion, ensures timely processing of approved items, and provides regular status updates to internal customers;
Secures quotes as needed;
Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) on assigned procurement areas like research related purchases or travel needs ensuring timely acquisition and compliance of specialized equipment and services; and
Approves purchasing of junior team members as necessary.
Compliance & Policy Guidance and Tracking
Ensures procurement actions comply with university, state, and federal rules (including grant-funded projects as applicable);
Maintains detailed records of purchases in accordance with university policy and compliance;
Assists in policy updates and provide training to staff and departments on procurement best practices;
Works collaboratively with Finance team to ensure all purchases are allowable, allocable and within budget;
Ensures the proper amount is correct in the purchasing system and is going to the correct org/fund; and
Works closely with accounts payable to ensure timely payment and resolution of invoice issues.
Vendor & Internal Partnerships and Strategic Sourcing
Manages vendor performance and maintains positive supplier relationships;
Works collaboratively with internal customers to understand requests and provide regular status updates;
Serves as a mentor to junior procurement staff;
Collaborates with Finance, Legal, Academic Units, etc. to align procurement operations with institutional and college-wide initiatives;
Analyzes procurement data to support decision-making and process improvements;
Works with Central Purchasing on complex solicitations, including completive bidding and contract negotiations;
Advises departments on procurement strategies for specialized or high-value purchases;
Analyzes spending data and identifies cost savings or strategic sourcing opportunities; and
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent;
- Progressive procurement experience (typically four or more years);
- Experience in a customer service environment, planning, scheduling, and execution of operational projects to meet the client’s needs and procuring goods and services;
- Demonstrated experience with internet applications, email systems, maintaining organized records and meeting deadlines;
- Experience handling vendor contracts in a regulated environment;
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks;
- Effective use of problem-solving skills;
- Strong analytical, negotiation, and project management skills;
- Excellent organization, communication, attention to detail, and customer service skills;
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite; advanced Excel skills (complex formulas, pivot tables);
- Ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, and vendors from a variety of diverse backgrounds;
- Ability to maintain excellent working relationships with college and university colleagues and external vendors;
- Capability to work independently with minimal supervision;
- Adapt to changing technologies and practices; and
- Aptitude to train and mentor procurement staff.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in related field;
- Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) or Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB);
- Experience with a large public institution;
- Procurement experience in higher education or public sector; and
- Experience using university systems such as Mason Finance Gateway, eVA Purchasing and MicroStrategy.
Instructions to Applicants
For full consideration, applicants must apply for Senior Procurement Specialist at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.
Posting Open Date: August 31, 2026
Posting Close Date: September 4, 2026
Open Until Filled: No
About George Mason University
Public research university based in Fairfax, Virginia.
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