Purchasing Specialist Jobs in New Jersey
Purchasing Specialist jobs in New Jersey are consistently in demand across the state's pharmaceutical manufacturing, logistics, retail distribution, and defense contracting sectors, with openings at every level from entry-level buyers to senior procurement managers. Newark, Edison, and Parsippany are the primary hiring hubs, where established employers such as Johnson & Johnson, Cognizant, and Wakefern Food Corporation maintain active procurement teams. The most sought-after specialties in New Jersey right now are pharmaceutical supply chain purchasing, indirect procurement for corporate headquarters, and IT and technology category management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 6+ Purchasing Specialist jobs
About GenScript
Founded in 2002 in New Jersey, GenScript Biotech Corporation accelerates innovation in biotech and healthcare by providing researchers and companies with the building blocks needed to develop groundbreaking treatments and products. Guided by its mission to Make People and Nature Healthier Through Biotechnology, and its role as a well-recognized biotechnology company, GenScript has a team of approximately 6,165 employees and has served more than 200,000 customers across over 100 countries and regions.
Job Title: Purchasing Specialist, Direct Materials
Location: Piscataway, NJ (Onsite 4 days per week)
Employment Status: Full Time
Reports to: Senior Procurement Manager
Role Description
The Procurement Specialist role will support the end-to-end sourcing and procurement of direct materials and consumables to support production. Key duties include ensuring daily operations meet SLA and KPI targets, overseeing material planning for critical items, and driving strategic sourcing initiatives. The candidate will manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and identify cost-saving opportunities through category management and market analysis. Close collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential to ensure supply continuity, compliance with quality and regulatory standards, and readiness for audit requirements.
The estimated salary range is $65,000 - $85,000, based on experience.
Job Responsibilities:
- Oversee material planning for Green Channel item replenishment to meet inventory KPIs while ensuring continuity of supply.
- Lead strategic sourcing and manage the procurement process for direct materials and consumables used in production, ensuring alignment with cost objectives, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Develop alternative vendors for critical materials and components to ensure supply continuity and mitigate supply chain risks.
- Conduct category management to identify cost-saving opportunities through vendor consolidation and the use of alternative materials or components.
- Leverage negotiation, analytical, and market research skills to drive value through cost reduction initiatives. Track and report KPIs related to cost savings, cost avoidance, on-time delivery (OTD), and efficiency improvements.
- Execute vendor management by building supplier profiles, conducting regular business reviews, and securing both short- and long-term pricing contracts and Master Supply Agreements (MSAs).
- Serve as the primary point of contact for negotiating and executing contracts and agreements in coordination with the legal team.
- Collaborate closely with production team to provide effective procurement support by understanding production processes, tracking changes in material consumption, and proactively addressing critical issues with urgency.
- Maintain active communication with suppliers of critical materials to stay updated on market conditions, ensure timely deliveries, and identify potential risks and opportunities.
- Work cross-functionally with quality, finance, and other departments to ensure procurement processes remain compliant with company policies and regulatory standards.
- Respond to internal and external audit challenges by providing complete and accurate procurement documentation and justifications.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field
- Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in procurement, with a focus on direct materials
- Strong negotiation, communication, and analytical skills
- Project management skills, with experience in procurement for lab projects preferred; this experience will be considered a significant advantage
- Proven capability to navigate a dynamic, fast-paced environment while adapting to shifting priorities and identifying opportunities
#LI-EB1
#GS
Benefits:
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one. We offer paid parental leave after just three (3) months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and company holidays. Additional benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance. We also provide commuter benefits, well-being initiatives, and peer-to-peer recognition programs; demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.
GenScript USA Inc/ProBio Inc. is a proud equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to attracting, retaining, and maximizing the performance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the Company's policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
About GenScript
Founded in 2002 in New Jersey, GenScript Biotech Corporation accelerates innovation in biotech and healthcare by providing researchers and companies with the building blocks needed to develop groundbreaking treatments and products. Guided by its mission to Make People and Nature Healthier Through Biotechnology, and its role as a well-recognized biotechnology company, GenScript has a team of approximately 6,165 employees and has served more than 200,000 customers across over 100 countries and regions.
Job Title: Purchasing Specialist, Direct Materials
Location: Piscataway, NJ (Onsite 4 days per week)
Employment Status: Full Time
Reports to: Senior Procurement Manager
Role Description
The Procurement Specialist role will support the end-to-end sourcing and procurement of direct materials and consumables to support production. Key duties include ensuring daily operations meet SLA and KPI targets, overseeing material planning for critical items, and driving strategic sourcing initiatives. The candidate will manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and identify cost-saving opportunities through category management and market analysis. Close collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential to ensure supply continuity, compliance with quality and regulatory standards, and readiness for audit requirements.
The estimated salary range is $65,000 - $85,000, based on experience.
Job Responsibilities:
- Oversee material planning for Green Channel item replenishment to meet inventory KPIs while ensuring continuity of supply.
- Lead strategic sourcing and manage the procurement process for direct materials and consumables used in production, ensuring alignment with cost objectives, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Develop alternative vendors for critical materials and components to ensure supply continuity and mitigate supply chain risks.
- Conduct category management to identify cost-saving opportunities through vendor consolidation and the use of alternative materials or components.
- Leverage negotiation, analytical, and market research skills to drive value through cost reduction initiatives. Track and report KPIs related to cost savings, cost avoidance, on-time delivery (OTD), and efficiency improvements.
- Execute vendor management by building supplier profiles, conducting regular business reviews, and securing both short- and long-term pricing contracts and Master Supply Agreements (MSAs).
- Serve as the primary point of contact for negotiating and executing contracts and agreements in coordination with the legal team.
- Collaborate closely with production team to provide effective procurement support by understanding production processes, tracking changes in material consumption, and proactively addressing critical issues with urgency.
- Maintain active communication with suppliers of critical materials to stay updated on market conditions, ensure timely deliveries, and identify potential risks and opportunities.
- Work cross-functionally with quality, finance, and other departments to ensure procurement processes remain compliant with company policies and regulatory standards.
- Respond to internal and external audit challenges by providing complete and accurate procurement documentation and justifications.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field
- Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in procurement, with a focus on direct materials
- Strong negotiation, communication, and analytical skills
- Project management skills, with experience in procurement for lab projects preferred; this experience will be considered a significant advantage
- Proven capability to navigate a dynamic, fast-paced environment while adapting to shifting priorities and identifying opportunities
#LI-EB1
#GS
Benefits:
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one. We offer paid parental leave after just three (3) months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and company holidays. Additional benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance. We also provide commuter benefits, well-being initiatives, and peer-to-peer recognition programs; demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.
GenScript USA Inc/ProBio Inc. is a proud equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to attracting, retaining, and maximizing the performance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the Company's policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
See All 6 Purchasing Specialist Jobs in New Jersey
Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Purchasing Specialist JobsPurchasing Specialist Jobs by City in New Jersey
Where New Jersey roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Purchasing Specialist Job Market in New Jersey
A snapshot from current New Jersey openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Medical Devices
- Science & Research
What New Jersey Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in purchasing specialist jobs across New Jersey.
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, or a related field
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) credential preferred by many New Jersey employers
- Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or similar procurement software
- One or more years of purchasing, sourcing, or vendor management experience in a relevant industry
- Strong negotiation skills and demonstrated experience managing supplier contracts and relationships
- Familiarity with New Jersey's pharmaceutical or life sciences supply chain regulatory requirements a plus
Purchasing Specialist Jobs in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a purchasing specialist in New Jersey?
A bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, or a related field is the standard entry point for purchasing specialist roles in New Jersey. The state does not require a government-issued license for procurement work, but earning the Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) credential through the Institute for Supply Management significantly strengthens a candidacy, particularly with New Jersey's large pharmaceutical and corporate employer base. Relevant coursework in contract law and inventory management is an advantage.
How much do purchasing specialists make in New Jersey?
Purchasing specialists in New Jersey earn a median of about $57,460 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $39,690 for the lowest 10% to over $72,660 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire purchasing specialists in New Jersey?
Employers hiring purchasing specialists in New Jersey right now include GenScript, Murphy USA, and Soccer Post, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. New Jersey's dense concentration of pharmaceutical headquarters, retail distribution centers, and defense contractors means purchasing roles here often require industry-specific category knowledge.
Which New Jersey cities have the most purchasing specialist jobs?
Oakland, Glassboro, and Piscataway have the most purchasing specialist openings in New Jersey. Newark anchors demand through its logistics infrastructure and proximity to major corporate campuses, while Edison and Parsippany reflect the heavy pharmaceutical and professional services employer concentration in central and Morris County that consistently generates procurement roles at multiple seniority levels.
Are there remote purchasing specialist jobs in New Jersey?
Yes, and more than many operational roles, since purchasing specialist work is largely desk-based and analytical rather than hands-on. About 0% of purchasing specialist openings tied to New Jersey are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting an ongoing shift in how corporate procurement teams operate. Indirect procurement, IT category management, and vendor analysis positions tend to offer the most remote flexibility.
How can I get hired as a purchasing specialist in New Jersey with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a purchasing coordinator, procurement assistant, or accounts payable role at one of New Jersey's large pharmaceutical or distribution employers, where internal promotion into a specialist title is common. Companies such as Wakefern Food Corporation and major 3PL logistics operators in the Edison and Woodbridge corridor regularly bring on candidates with associate degrees or recent supply chain bachelor's graduates. Earning the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) credential early demonstrates commitment and gives candidates without direct experience a competitive edge.
Where can I find and apply to purchasing specialist jobs in New Jersey?
You can find and apply to purchasing specialist jobs in New Jersey on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your experience and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 6 Purchasing Specialist Jobs in New Jersey
Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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