Acquisition Specialist Jobs in Iowa
Acquisition Specialist jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport, where government contractors, financial services firms, and healthcare networks maintain steady hiring. Major employers with a lasting Iowa presence include Principal Financial Group, Collins Aerospace, and the Iowa Department of Administrative Services. The most in-demand specialties are contract administration, federal procurement, and real estate acquisition. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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You’ll own the full recruiting process, from sourcing and attracting candidates to interviewing them and guiding them through to an offer, always focused on finding people who fit Kemin’s long-term goals. You’ll work closely with department leaders to understand their staffing needs, design and implement targeted recruitment strategies, and keep our candidate pipeline and databases up to date. Every step of the way, you’ll make sure candidates feel informed, respected, and excited about joining Kemin.
This is an on-site position located at our Worldwide Headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa.
Join the Kemin Team and Transform Lives!
- Competitive Financial Package: Enjoy a rewarding salary, uncapped bonus opportunities, a 401k match program, and generous paid vacation and holidays.
- Health and Wellness Support: Stay fit and healthy with our fitness reimbursement for the whole family, access to an on-site fitness center, a restaurant offering seasonal fresh food options, and free fresh fruit in break areas.
- Career Development and Advancement: Unlock your potential with opportunities for growth and development throughout your entire career.
- Continued Learning Opportunities: Grow your skills with our in-house learning platforms, offering thousands of training resources both live and online, and take advantage of tuition reimbursement for external post-secondary pursuits.
- Service Opportunities: Make a positive impact with paid time off for service, partnerships with The World Food Programme and Habitat for Humanity, and local community initiatives.
- Partner with Business Unit leaders to understand current and future staffing needs and build hiring plans that support business goals.
- Implement and continuously improve Talent Acquisition strategies that attract high-quality, diverse candidates.
- Proactively source passive candidates and introduce them to rewarding career opportunities at Kemin.
- Build relationships with industry contacts, stay current on recruiting trends, and bring best practices into our hiring process.
- Lead the full recruitment and selection process, from resume review and screening interviews through offer.
- Deliver a positive, engaging experience for every candidate at every stage.
- Represent Kemin at career fairs and other recruitment events.
- Use LinkedIn and other recruiting platforms to connect with and engage top talent.
- Write clear, compelling job descriptions and postings in partnership with hiring managers.
- Manage candidate records and workflows in the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), keeping data accurate and up to date.
- Coach hiring managers on interview best practices and coordinate interview schedules and feedback.
- Extend offers and guide candidates through negotiation, pre-employment requirements, and handoff to onboarding.
- Track and report recruiting metrics such as time-to-fill, source effectiveness, and pipeline health.
- Strengthen Kemin's employer brand through social media, job boards, and campus relationships.
- Ensure hiring practices comply with EEO and other applicable employment regulations.
- Education & Experience, one of the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Human Resources related field with 5+ years of experience
- High School Diploma or equivalent with 7+ years of experience
- High technical aptitude with intermediate to advanced skills in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and SharePoint
- Experience in full-cycle recruiting
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to build rapport with team members across multiple business units and professional levels
- Proficient in the use of social media and job boards
- Ability to understand the duties and competencies of different roles
- Working knowledge of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and databases
- A leader and strategic thinker.
A post-offer background check and drug screen is required. Additional pre-employment requirements may be necessary based on position.
Kemin is a drug-free and tobacco-free campus.
See All 10 Acquisition Specialist Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Acquisition Specialist JobsAcquisition Specialist Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Acquisition Specialist Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Insurance
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in acquisition specialist jobs across Iowa.
- Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, public administration, or a related field
- Experience with federal or state procurement regulations and contract lifecycle management
- Proficiency in procurement software such as SAP, Ariba, or similar platforms
- Strong negotiation skills and demonstrated ability to manage vendor relationships
- Familiarity with Iowa state purchasing guidelines and competitive bidding procedures
- Certification such as CPPB or CPPO preferred by Iowa government and institutional employers
Acquisition Specialist Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a acquisition specialist in Iowa?
Most acquisition specialist roles in Iowa require a bachelor's degree in business, public administration, supply chain, or a related field. No state-issued license is required for private-sector roles, but positions with Iowa state agencies often expect familiarity with Iowa's procurement code and competitive bidding rules. Earning a Certified Professional Public Buyer credential strengthens applications for government roles, and many Iowa employers also value experience with contract management or purchasing in a regulated environment.
Which companies hire acquisition specialists in Iowa?
Companies currently hiring acquisition specialists in Iowa include State Farm, TRC, and Kemin, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Iowa's mix of state government agencies, defense contractors, and large financial and healthcare institutions creates consistent demand for acquisition professionals at multiple experience levels.
Which Iowa cities have the most acquisition specialist jobs?
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Waukee have the most acquisition specialist openings in Iowa. Des Moines dominates because of its concentration of state government offices, insurance headquarters, and financial services firms, while Cedar Rapids draws demand from aerospace manufacturing and regional corporate operations, and Davenport benefits from its role as a logistics and industrial hub in the Quad Cities corridor.
Are there remote acquisition specialist jobs in Iowa?
Yes, and they are more common than in many fields because acquisition work is largely desk-based and document-driven. About 50% of acquisition specialist openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the analytical and administrative nature of the role. Contract review, vendor sourcing, and procurement analysis are the functions most frequently performed fully remote.
How can I get hired as a acquisition specialist in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for purchasing assistant or procurement technician roles at Iowa state agencies, county government offices, or large institutions such as the University of Iowa or Iowa State University, which regularly bring on junior staff. Lateral moves from roles in accounts payable, inventory control, or project coordination are common stepping stones. Completing coursework toward a CPPB credential and building a portfolio of contract documents or sourcing analyses gives candidates without direct experience a concrete edge in Iowa hiring.
Where can I find and apply to acquisition specialist jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to acquisition specialist jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings across industries and experience levels. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and location preference, and apply directly to the positions that fit.
See All 10 Acquisition Specialist Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Acquisition Specialist Jobs