Procurement Specialist

We are seeking a Procurement Specialist to join our North America Regional Office Procurement Organization in Charleston. This role supports procurement activities across multiple business functions within a complex, matrixed multinational environment, focusing on value creation through cost, quality, service, and risk optimization.

About the role

The Procurement Specialist will execute sourcing and purchasing activities, manage supplier relationships, and collaborate across business units and regional/global procurement teams. This position requires strong analytical skills, effective stakeholder engagement, and a results-driven mindset.

Responsibilities

• Execute day-to-day purchasing and sourcing activities in line with company procurement policies, compliance requirements, and delegated authorities.
• Support sourcing initiatives, negotiations, and supplier selection processes to achieve cost savings, value creation, and service continuity.
• Operate effectively within a matrix organization, collaborating with regional, global, and functional procurement teams.
• Maintain proactive interaction with internal stakeholders (Operations, Finance, Legal, and Business Units) to align procurement strategies with business needs.
• Provide support in tender and bidding processes; coordinate with Legal and Finance on contracts.
• Manage supplier performance, including delivery, quality, service levels, and commercial terms.
• Monitor and report on procurement KPIs and metrics (e.g., savings, cost avoidance, supplier performance, cycle time, compliance).
• Prepare and analyze data to support negotiations, sourcing decisions, and management reporting.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the procurement organization.
• Ensure accurate documentation, contract compliance, and proper use of procurement systems and tools.
• Support supplier coordination across procurement activities and ensure compliance with procurement procedures.
• Required on-site presence 5 days per week.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.
• 2-3 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain within a multinational or complex corporate environment.
• Demonstrated experience working in a matrix organization with multiple stakeholders and reporting lines.
• Familiarity with procurement processes, sourcing methodologies, and supplier management.
• Experience using ERP and procurement systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Coupa, Ariba or similar).

Skills

• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze spend, cost drivers, and performance data to support informed decision-making.
• Negotiation Skills: Proven ability to support or lead negotiations with suppliers to achieve commercial and operational objectives.
• Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Strong ability to communicate clearly and build effective relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers at all levels.
• Results Orientation: Strong focus on delivering measurable outcomes, meeting deadlines, and achieving procurement targets.
• Stakeholder Management: Ability to balance competing priorities and expectations in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Procurement Metrics & KPIs: Solid understanding of procurement performance indicators and experience tracking and reporting against them.
• Team Player: Advanced proficiency in English; expert-level communication.
• Knowledge of MS Excel with the ability to learn new software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a regional or global procurement organization.
• Exposure to multiple spend categories (direct, indirect, services, or logistics preferred).
• Continuous improvement mindset with attention to process efficiency and value creation.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds at a time.
• Must be able to commute to the designated office location in Charleston.
• On-site presence required 5 days per week (Monday to Friday).

Authorization to work in the U.S. is required for this role.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance: one-time annual salary up to $50,000
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Business Travel Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health, Dependent Care, Transit/Parking)
• Supplemental Life, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Plans
• Short Term Disability Insurance (effective day one)
• 401K Plan – 3% Safe Harbor Contribution with option for additional 3% employer match
• Wellness Program initiatives / Free MSC Partner Subscriptions with Calm
• Partner Discount Programs with MSC Cruises, Apple, Dell, Nissan, Whirlpool, AT&T, Pets Best, and others

About the Company

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is a global leader in transportation and logistics, privately owned and founded in 1970. With 675 offices across 155 countries and over 200,000 employees, MSC operates a fleet of 800 vessels, serving 300 trade routes and 520 ports. The company delivers global service with local knowledge, handling approximately 22.5 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually.