Procurement Specialist

Supply Technician / Procurement Specialist / Buyer R&D Maintenance Services, IncTennessee Tombigbee Waterway Project (Columbus MS)R&D Maintenance Services, Inc. provides operations and maintenance services on U.S Army Corps of Engineers projects throughout the southeast - since 1980. We are the Operations and Maintenance Contractor for the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway Project providing facility, infrastructure,  machinery and site maintenance and repair on several hundred miles of waterway, multiple recreations areas, and 10 locks/dams/spillways on the system. R&D is an EEO Employer.GENERAL DESCRIPTION:The Procurement Specialist is responsible for  the acquisition of materials, repair parts, maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) items, janitorial supplies, and commodity materials.  These items are required for the execution/delivery of operational and maintenance services across facilities, infrastructure, and navigation assets, including locks and dams, for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Project.  These materials are a direct component of service delivery via Work Orders. This role ensures timely, cost-effective, and compliant procurement of goods and services while maintaining adherence to federal, contractual, and company policies. The Procurement Specialist collaborates closely with operations management, maintenance teams, vendors, and other project personnel to ensure uninterrupted support of services delivery to our customer.Key Responsibilities and Illustrative Tasks:Process purchase requirements and convert them into purchase orders in accordance with company procedures.Work closely with the Operations and Work Order teams to identify requirements and acquire necessary repair items, MRO items, and other materials necessary for execution and completion of work orders across the project.Source materials and supplies including: MRO items (tools, lubricants, mechanical/electrical components).Repair parts for equipment and infrastructure systems.Janitorial and facility supplies.Commodity materials for ongoing maintenance and operations.Identify qualified vendors and obtain competitive quotes to ensure best value procurement.Evaluate supplier pricing, lead times, quality, and reliability.Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers and service providers.Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, and terms and conditions.Monitor vendor performance and resolve issues related to quality, delivery, or discrepancies.Ensure procurement activities comply with Internal procurement policies and procedures.Maintain proper documentation and audit-ready files for all procurement transactions.Coordinate with warehouse and field teams to maintain adequate inventory levels.Track orders, shipments, and delivery schedules to ensure timely availability of materials.Assist in inventory control processes including cycle counts, reorder points, and usage analysis.Monitor procurement expenditures against budgets.Identify cost-saving opportunities through bulk purchasing, supplier consolidation, and alternative sourcing.Generate procurement reports and metrics Maintain accurate records in purchasing systems.Ensure proper coding of expenses, materials, and job cost allocations.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Principles and practices of purchasing, sourcing, and supply chain management.MRO procurement processes and industrial supply chains.Basic understanding of mechanical, electrical, and facility systems used in facility, infrastructure and industrial maintenance environments.Strong negotiation,  vendor management, and process management skills.Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite: Excel (intermediate to advanced; pivot tables, data analysis).Word (documentation and reporting).Outlook (communication and scheduling).Experience with procurement or ERP systems.Analytical skills for cost comparison, supplier evaluation, and spend analysis.Effective written and verbal communication skills.Abilities:Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, operations-driven environment.Strong attention to detail and accuracy in documentation and data entry.Ability to interpret technical part descriptions, specifications, and vendor catalogs.Capability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams including field operations and maintenance crews.Problem-solving ability to address supply chain disruptions, industrial replacement parts sourcing, and urgent requirements.Minimum Qualifications & Experience:Associate’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Logistics, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.Minimum of 3–5 years of procurement or purchasing experience, prefer 5-10 years, preferably in industrial or facilities maintenance environments.Demonstrated experience procuring MRO items, repair parts, and operational supplies.Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel.Experience with purchasing/ERP software.Valid driver’s license (if site access or local travel is required).Work Environment:This is an on-site position.  Primarily office-based with periodic visits to maintenance facilities, warehouses, and operational sites (e.g., locks and dams).Requires interaction with field personnel in industrial, office, and  outdoor environments.Candidate must be able to pass a drug screen and a federal background check.Primarily seated work, but with frequent walking and standing.Occasionally lifts/carries up to 10 pounds with occasional lifting up to 20 pounds; occasional pulling up to 20 pounds.Vision, speech and hearing sufficient to perform essential tasks.Professional appearance including dress code as require by the applicable government facility.Benefits:Company Paid 401K Contribution.Paid Employee Health insurance.Employee Life insurance.Paid Vacation & Sick Leave.10 Paid Holidays.Safety Award Program. Job Type: Full-time.