OPT Procurement Specialist Jobs
Procurement Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in supply chain, business, or operations management. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B visa sponsorship, and STEM OPT extensions may apply for graduates with qualifying technical degrees, giving you up to three years of authorized work.
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Get Access To All JobsAt Mace, our purpose is to redefine the boundaries of ambition. We believe in creating places that are responsible, bringing transformative impact to our people, communities and societies across the globe. To learn more about our purpose, culture and priorities, visit our strategy site.
Within our business we harness our unique combination of leading-edge practical expertise and project delivery consultancy to unlock the potential in every project.
The Project: Provides owner-side procurement oversight across all packages including EPC procurement review, vendor qualification, long lead item management, and procurement schedule governance ensuring alignment with schedule requirements, GMP compliance, and Lilly’s contracting standards.
Our values shape the way we consult, and define the people we want to join us on our journey:
- Safety first - Going home safe and well
- Client focus – Deliver on our promise
- Integrity – Always do the right thing
- Create opportunity – For our people to excel
You’ll Be Responsible For:
- Category Management & Leadership.
- Development and maintains Relationship Management Expert.
- Manages and provides leadership to team/s, ensuring the principals, structures, tools/capabilities and responsibilities are in place to diver plans and deliver excellence.
- Due Diligence & Company / Market Understanding.
- Value Creating re Process, Performance & Commercial Activity.
- Plan Development & Implementation incl Embedding, Monitoring, Delivering via Others.
- Delivers on Objectives in Challenging Situations on Time.
- Provides performance management, talent development and coaching.
- Develops & maintains a series of both internal and external relationships.
- Manages and influences key/senior stakeholders.
- Works collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition, and share responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.
You’ll need to have:
- Proven experience in procurement leadership, delivering category strategies and driving commercial value across complex programmes.
- Strong expertise in procurement governance, including EPC review, vendor qualification, long lead item management, and schedule alignment.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct due diligence and develop strong company and market understanding to inform procurement decisions.
- Experience developing and implementing procurement strategies, embedding processes, monitoring performance, and delivering through cross-functional teams.
- Strong leadership capability, managing and developing teams through performance management, coaching, and talent development.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and build effective internal and external relationships.
- Degree (or equivalent) in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field, with a track record of delivering objectives on time in challenging environments.
Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all of the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organization.
We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.
At Mace, our purpose is to redefine the boundaries of ambition. We believe in creating places that are responsible, bringing transformative impact to our people, communities and societies across the globe. To learn more about our purpose, culture and priorities, visit our strategy site.
Within our business we harness our unique combination of leading-edge practical expertise and project delivery consultancy to unlock the potential in every project.
The Project: Provides owner-side procurement oversight across all packages including EPC procurement review, vendor qualification, long lead item management, and procurement schedule governance ensuring alignment with schedule requirements, GMP compliance, and Lilly’s contracting standards.
Our values shape the way we consult, and define the people we want to join us on our journey:
- Safety first - Going home safe and well
- Client focus – Deliver on our promise
- Integrity – Always do the right thing
- Create opportunity – For our people to excel
You’ll Be Responsible For:
- Category Management & Leadership.
- Development and maintains Relationship Management Expert.
- Manages and provides leadership to team/s, ensuring the principals, structures, tools/capabilities and responsibilities are in place to diver plans and deliver excellence.
- Due Diligence & Company / Market Understanding.
- Value Creating re Process, Performance & Commercial Activity.
- Plan Development & Implementation incl Embedding, Monitoring, Delivering via Others.
- Delivers on Objectives in Challenging Situations on Time.
- Provides performance management, talent development and coaching.
- Develops & maintains a series of both internal and external relationships.
- Manages and influences key/senior stakeholders.
- Works collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition, and share responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.
You’ll need to have:
- Proven experience in procurement leadership, delivering category strategies and driving commercial value across complex programmes.
- Strong expertise in procurement governance, including EPC review, vendor qualification, long lead item management, and schedule alignment.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct due diligence and develop strong company and market understanding to inform procurement decisions.
- Experience developing and implementing procurement strategies, embedding processes, monitoring performance, and delivering through cross-functional teams.
- Strong leadership capability, managing and developing teams through performance management, coaching, and talent development.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and build effective internal and external relationships.
- Degree (or equivalent) in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field, with a track record of delivering objectives on time in challenging environments.
Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all of the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organization.
We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.
See all 248+ OPT Procurement Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Procurement Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Procurement Specialist
Target employers with active supply chain operations
Large manufacturers, retailers, and logistics companies hire procurement teams at scale and are far more likely to have established H-1B visa sponsorship programs than smaller firms. Look for companies with dedicated sourcing or purchasing departments.
Emphasize your degree's direct relevance to the role
Procurement Specialist is a specialty occupation when tied to a specific degree field. Make sure your resume explicitly connects your supply chain, business, or engineering degree to the analytical and sourcing responsibilities of the position.
Get comfortable with procurement software before interviews
Employers expect hands-on familiarity with SAP Ariba, Coupa, or Oracle Procurement. Demonstrating technical proficiency in these platforms signals immediate productivity, which reduces the perceived cost of sponsoring a candidate on OPT.
Highlight vendor negotiation and cost savings experience
Quantified results matter in procurement hiring. If you reduced vendor costs, shortened lead times, or improved contract terms in an internship or project, put numbers to it. Concrete outcomes make sponsorship conversations easier for hiring managers.
Ask about sponsorship early but frame it around long-term fit
Raise the sponsorship question after you have demonstrated value, not in the first screening call. Position it as a commitment to the role long-term, not a short-term requirement, so the conversation focuses on mutual investment.
Browse OPT-friendly procurement roles on Migrate Mate
General job boards surface thousands of listings without filtering for sponsorship willingness. Migrate Mate focuses specifically on employers open to OPT and visa sponsorship, saving you the time of applying to roles that will not advance your application.
Procurement Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Procurement Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT and H-1B purposes?
Procurement Specialist roles generally qualify as specialty occupations when the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in supply chain management, business, engineering, or a directly related field. The key is that the employer's job description must specify a degree requirement, not just a preference. Generic postings that say 'degree preferred' rather than 'required' can create complications during H-1B adjudication, so it is worth reviewing the job description carefully before applying.
Can F-1 OPT students work as Procurement Specialists, and does it count as OPT-related employment?
Yes, F-1 OPT students with degrees in supply chain, business administration, operations management, or related fields can work as Procurement Specialists, and the role counts as directly related employment for OPT purposes. Your DSO may ask you to document how the position relates to your degree program, so keep a brief written explanation ready that connects your coursework to your daily responsibilities in sourcing, vendor management, or contract analysis.
Do Procurement Specialist jobs qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension?
STEM OPT eligibility depends on your degree, not the job title. If you hold a qualifying STEM degree, such as industrial engineering, operations research, information systems, or supply chain management under a designated CIP code, you may be eligible for the 24-month extension even in a procurement role. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before your standard OPT period ends, as applications must be filed before expiration.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor Procurement Specialists from OPT to H-1B?
Employers with large, centralized procurement functions are the most consistent H-1B sponsors in this field. This includes major manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods, large healthcare systems with complex supply chains, Fortune 500 retailers, and technology companies with global vendor networks. These organizations have established immigration counsel relationships and predictable hiring cycles. Browse Migrate Mate to filter for procurement roles at companies that have a track record of sponsoring OPT candidates.
What should I do if my OPT is expiring before my employer files an H-1B petition?
If your OPT end date falls before October 1 and your employer filed an H-1B petition for the upcoming fiscal year cap, you may be covered by cap-gap protection, which automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 if your petition was filed before your OPT expired. Confirm the filing date with your employer's immigration attorney and update your DSO immediately. If you are not covered, explore whether the employer can pursue a cap-exempt H-1B through a qualifying nonprofit or research institution as an interim arrangement.