Senior Procurement Specialist (Contracts)

If you would enjoy working in a dynamic environment and are looking for an opportunity to become part of a stellar team of professionals, we invite you to apply online today.

Posting Period:
November 05, 2026 - Until Filled

Employee Type:
NEASO NEA Staff Organization, OO125 Business & Financial Services Department (BFS)

Position Type:
Regular

Salary Range:
$102,062.00 - $158,178.00

Rank:
NEASO Rank 7

Position Details:

POSITION EMPHASIS:   Founded in 1857, the National Education Association (NEA) is America’s oldest and largest organization committed to advancing the cause of public education. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NEA proudly claims nearly 3 million members devoted to the following mission: to advocate for education professionals and to unite our members and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education by preparing every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world.  Our vision is a great public school for every student.  The NEA is also the single largest labor union in the United States, advocating for the excellent and equitable public education system that all students, educators, and communities deserve.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Senior Procurement Specialist is responsible for leading and supporting the management of NEA’s contracting and procurement functions to ensure the timely, cost-effective, and compliant acquisition of goods and services in accordance with industry standards, collective bargaining agreements, and Association policies and procedures. This role supports the oversight of contract development, vendor relations and negotiations, procurement operations, request for proposals, and policy compliance while partnering closely with internal stakeholders and business units. The incumbent establishes standardized procurement processes and practices that are cost-efficient and effective, conducts market analysis and research, mitigates risk, optimizes contract terms, and ensures alignment with organizational strategy, regulatory requirements, and internal controls.  The incumbent will be responsible for engaging with industry experts and using a variety of resources to perform analyses and recommend solutions that align with organizational goals, drive efficiency, support continuous improvement, and maintain a high standard of customer experience.  The incumbent will be a contract and procurement functional subject matter expert for the Unit4 ERP system, create vendor tracking and evaluation mechanisms, conduct budget and cost analyses, conduct and participate in training, and ensure compliance and user adoption.

Key Responsibilities:

Contracts and Vendor Management

- Coordinate the full lifecycle of contracts, including drafting, negotiation, execution, monitoring, amendments, and close-out.
- Negotiate pricing, terms, service levels, and performance standards to achieve best value and manage organizational risk.
- Develop and maintain strategic vendor relationships and manage vendor performance, compliance, and issue resolution.
- Oversee purchase order processes and ensure proper documentation, approvals, and audit trails are maintained.

- Support the coordination of RFPs, including identifying potential bidders, scheduling and coordinating briefs and conferences, and establishing an evaluation system for RFP bidders.

Strategic Sourcing

- Conduct ongoing market research and industry analysis to identify qualified suppliers, emerging vendors, pricing trends, and innovative sourcing opportunities.
- Develop and maintain a vetted supplier portfolio and preferred vendor lists to support efficient and compliance procurement decisions.
- Partner with program leaders to evaluate vendor suitability for complex, high-risk, or mission-critical procurements.

Budget Analysis/Cost Optimization

- Lead cost-optimization initiatives to identify savings opportunities, analyze historical spending patterns, contract utilization, and supplier performance to recommend consolidation, renegotiation, or alternative sourcing strategies.
- Develop and implement strategic sourcing plans that balance cost efficiency, quality, service levels, and risk mitigation.

Compliance & Risk Management

- Ensure procurement and contracting activities comply with federal/state/local regulations, industry best practices, collective bargaining agreements, and internal policies and practices.
- Develop and update procurement and contracting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
- Identify and mitigate contractual, financial, and operational risks associated with vendor relationships and purchasing activities.

Training & Continuous Improvement

- Support continuous process improvements, system enhancements, and training initiatives to improve procurement efficiency and user adoption.
- Provide guidance and training to internal stakeholders on procurement procedures, contract requirements, and best practices.
- Support strategic sourcing initiatives and organizational priorities.
- Manage vendor agreements (SLAs, Professional Services) to ensure delivery and accountability.
- Evaluate the contracting process and recommend improvements to align with business goals.

Training/Certifications (Preferred):

Specialized courses/training in Procurement Strategy, Supply Chain, Professional Purchasing preferred.

MINIMUM EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Real Estate, Computer Science, Management, Systems Administration, Information Systems, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills may be acquired. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Five years of progressive professional experience in contracts and procurement. Demonstrated experience leading complex contract negotiations and competitive procurement processes in regulated or mission-driven environments. Demonstrated knowledge and experience overseeing the entire contract process, from negotiation and review to execution and maintenance. Demonstrated experience using ERPs, specifically Unit4 modules, or a comparable cloud-based ERP solution (e.g., Workday, Oracle Cloud ERP, Microsoft Dynamics 365).   OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Specialized courses/training in Procurement Strategy, Supply Chain, Professional Purchasing preferred. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Excel, and Adobe.  Occasional travel required.

SELECTION CRITERIA: TIER I (Essential): Proven skill in managing and coordinating the full lifecycle of contracts, including drafting, negotiating pricing, terms, service levels, and performance standards to achieve best value and manage organizational risk. Proven skill at managing the RFP process, including identifying potential bidders, scheduling and coordinating briefs and conferences, and establishing an evaluation system for RFP bidders.  Highly effective analytical, interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated flexibility and effectiveness in handling multiple and complex projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing priorities/conditions. Ability to work independently and collaboratively amongst individuals and groups at all levels of the organization. Successful references and background check. TIER 2 (Significant): Proven ability to identify and mitigate contractual, financial, and operational risks associated with vendor relationships and purchasing activities. Proven skill in conducting ongoing market research and industry analysis to identify qualified suppliers, emerging vendors, pricing trends, and innovative sourcing opportunities. Demonstrated effective organizational and project management skills. Experience in interpreting and applying the rules and regulations related to federal, state, and local regulations. TIER 3 (Desirable): Experience developing and implementing policies.  Experience supporting financial or business systems (e.g., ERP, financial management systems), and developing custom reports and dashboards. Knowledge of NEA's financial and membership services environment. Experience using Microsoft Excel.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the following is provided:  The position involves skill in using a computer and/or laptop; oral and written communication skills; skills in proofreading and editing; use of clear and articulate speech; interpersonal relations skills; reasoning and problem-solving skills; ability to work in a fast-paced environment; ability to sit for long periods, stoop, bend, reach and carry light materials (up to 10 lbs.); and ability to travel by various methods of transportation, e.g., airplane, car.

NEA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal . To apply for this position or to search for other openings, please go to our jobs page at Careers at NEA (myworkdayjobs.com)

NEA Participates in E-Verify. Read more here E-Verify Participation & Right to Work .

NEA complies with the DC Wage Transparency Act of 2023.