Procurement Specialist
Location: Duluth, GA
Department: Operations
Reports to: Materials Manager
Direct Reports: None
Type: Full-Time
Status: Exempt
Schedule: Hybrid M-F (4 days in office; Friday remote)
Compensation: $65,000 - $72,000 annually + Bonus
The Role
We're seeking a Procurement Specialist to play a key role in ensuring IPA has the right materials, from the right suppliers, at the right cost, and at the right time. This position is responsible for strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, contract negotiations, inventory optimization, and procurement process improvement that directly supports manufacturing operations.
Working closely with Production, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and suppliers, you'll help strengthen our supply chain by reducing risk, improving supplier performance, controlling costs, and ensuring uninterrupted material availability. This is an opportunity to make a measurable impact on operational performance while helping IPA scale for continued growth.
What You'll Do
- Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop suppliers based on cost, quality, delivery performance, business continuity, and long-term strategic value.
- Negotiate supplier pricing, contracts, delivery schedules, payment terms, and service expectations to optimize total cost of ownership.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships while monitoring performance through scorecards, continuous feedback, and ongoing improvement initiatives.
- Develop dual-source strategies and alternative supply options to reduce single-source risk and improve supply chain resiliency.
- Partner with suppliers to resolve quality concerns, coordinate rejected material returns, and ensure appropriate supplier credits are received.
- Monitor inventory levels and collaborate with cross-functional teams to maintain material availability while minimizing excess inventory and carrying costs.
- Manage purchasing activities and ensure procurement requirements are communicated effectively across internal stakeholders.
- Verify supplier invoices against purchase orders and contracts while partnering with Accounts Payable to ensure timely and accurate payment processing.
- Maintain accurate vendor, item, pricing, and transaction data within the ERP system (Rootstock/Salesforce) to support planning and operational accuracy.
- Support Bill of Material (BOM) reviews and data reconciliation with Engineering and Quality teams.
- Assist with trade compliance activities including country-of-origin documentation, HTS classifications, tariff monitoring, and environmental compliance documentation (RoHS, REACH, certifications).
- Analyze procurement metrics including supplier performance, spend, inventory trends, and cost savings opportunities to support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Collaborate across Operations, Production, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to align procurement strategies with production schedules and business objectives.
- Continuously improve procurement processes through standardization, automation, and best practices that increase efficiency and support operational excellence.
What You Bring
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- 3+ years of procurement, strategic sourcing, purchasing, or supply chain experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated success negotiating supplier contracts and achieving measurable cost savings.
- Strong understanding of supplier relationship management, inventory control, purchasing, and production planning principles.
- Experience using ERP or MRP systems; experience with Rootstock/Salesforce is a plus.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
- Experience supporting supplier performance management and procurement analytics.
- Knowledge of trade compliance, import regulations, tariffs, or environmental compliance documentation is preferred.
- Exposure to reporting and visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau is a plus.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build trusted relationships across suppliers and cross-functional teams.
You'll Excel If You
- Think strategically about supplier partnerships while balancing cost, quality, delivery, and operational risk.
- Enjoy negotiating win-win solutions that create long-term value for both the business and suppliers.
- Use data to identify trends, improve supplier performance, and uncover cost-saving opportunities.
- Thrive in a collaborative manufacturing environment where priorities shift quickly and every decision impacts production.
- Take ownership, communicate proactively, and bring a continuous improvement mindset to procurement and supply chain operations.
What We Offer
- The opportunity to influence IPA's sourcing strategy and help build a resilient, high-performing supply chain.
- Direct partnership with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to support manufacturing excellence.
- Ownership of supplier relationships with opportunities to drive measurable cost savings and operational improvements.
- Professional development and career growth within a collaborative Operations team committed to continuous improvement.
- Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
- Hybrid work schedule with four days in the office and one day remote.
- A mission-driven culture where your work directly supports IPA's purpose of improving infection prevention and operational efficiency in healthcare.
Why Join IPA?
At IPA, you're not just joining a company—you're joining a mission-driven, inclusive culture dedicated to improving infection prevention and operational efficiency in healthcare. We invest in our people with meaningful work, a collaborative environment, and benefits that support both your personal and professional success.
When you join IPA, you'll enjoy:
- Generous paid time off and company holidays
- Comprehensive healthcare coverage including medical, dental, vision, and Telemedicine
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions, plus optional FSA plans
- Company-paid life and disability insurance
- 401(k) with company match to support your retirement goals
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) — own a piece of what you're building
- Tuition reimbursement to support continued learning and development
- Paid parental leave for when your family grows
At IPA, we believe your career should be both meaningful and sustainable. If you're ready to make a real-world impact and grow with a company that invests in you, we'd love to meet you.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
