Purchase Specialist

About the role

Join Akamai Vessel Operations LLC as a Vessel Purchasing Specialist, where you will manage full-cycle purchasing activities that support assigned vessels and ensure equipment, supplies, and services are delivered accurately and on time.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate purchasing activities that ensure vessels have the equipment and supplies needed to operate efficiently.
• Work closely with vessel teams to plan routine and custom purchasing needs for equipment, supplies, and services.
• Gather purchasing requirements, solicit and compile equipment specifications, quantity needs, delivery timelines, and operational priorities.
• Initiate, prepare, and manage purchase orders to support accurate and timely delivery.
• Track open orders, communicate updates, and expedite delayed shipments when needed.
• Cook up changes, returns, replacements, credits, and other order-related concerns with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Build strong supplier relationships while supporting efficient, compliant, and cost-effective purchasing practices.
• Evaluate supplier options, monitor availability, and identify opportunities to improve value and savings.
• Aid in vendor discussions, due diligence, and purchasing decisions that support quality, service, and cost objectives.
• Help ensure vendor selection, documentation, and purchasing activities comply with contracts and applicable requirements.
• Maintain purchasing records, update, organize, and audit purchasing files, contracts, supplier information, and procurement systems.
• Coordinate with internal teams to confirm invoice accuracy and facilitate prompt supplier payment.
• Document and maintain purchasing procedures, workflows, and best practices.
• Identify improvement opportunities that streamline supply chain activities, improve documentation, and reduce expenses.
• Analyze purchasing activity, expenses, supplier performance, and key operational measures.
• Create and present reports, summaries, and insights related to purchasing activities and expenditures.
• Prioritize purchasing needs in a fast-paced, changing environment.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Some college coursework preferred.
• 4+ years of purchasing or procurement experience in marine equipment, industrial supply, or a closely related industry.
• Knowledge of purchasing principles, procurement processes, and best practices for industrial, marine, or vessel equipment.
• Experience coordinating purchasing activities, supplier communications, purchase orders, and documentation.
• Ability to identify complex problems, evaluate options, and recommend practical solutions.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to set priorities, manage competing requests, and meet deadlines.
• Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with geographically dispersed teams.
• General understanding of world geography.
• General math skills and comfort reviewing purchasing data and expenses.
• General knowledge of Nautical Systems 5 (NS5); proficiency strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of vessel operations preferred.
• Intermediate Excel skills and basic proficiency with Word, Teams, and Outlook.

Qualifications

• Dependable, analytical, and committed to helping vessel operations run smoothly through strong purchasing practices.
• Detail-oriented with strong follow-through and documentation skills.
• Customer- and service-focused with the ability to respond quickly to operational needs.
• Strong problem-solver who can manage changing priorities and resolve supply issues effectively.
• Collaborative and professional when working with vessel teams, suppliers, and internal partners.
• Cost-conscious with an ability to identify savings opportunities and process improvements.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic environment with multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Committed to modeling Excellence, Honesty & Integrity, Innovation, and Teamwork.

Skills

• Purchasing expertise.
• Organizational skills.
• Supplier relationship building.
• Vendor negotiations.
• Contract compliance.
• Supplier performance monitoring.
• Invoicing coordination.
• Procurement process development.
• Key performance metrics tracking.
• Report preparation.
• Operational excellence support.

Benefits

At Akamai Vessel Operations LLC, you will join a collaborative organization that values accountability, innovation, teamwork, and operational excellence.

Pay

$70,000 - $78,000 for highly qualified candidates

Schedule

This role operates in a corporate office environment and requires regular use of computer systems, office equipment, communication tools, purchasing platforms, and vendor management resources.