Purchasing Specialist Jobs in Virginia
Purchasing Specialist jobs in Virginia are consistently in demand, concentrated in defense contracting, federal government supply chains, healthcare systems, and technology firms, with openings at every level from entry-level buyers through senior procurement managers. The largest hiring concentrations are in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads, where employers like Booz Allen Hamilton, Northrop Grumman, and Inova Health System maintain substantial procurement functions. The most sought-after specialties in the state are government and defense contracting procurement, IT and technology purchasing, and healthcare supply chain management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Senior Purchasing SpecialistKBR Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) provides holistic and value-added solutions across the entire asset life cycle. These include world-class licensed process technologies, differentiated advisory services, deep technical domain expertise, energy transition solutions, high-end design capabilities, and smart solutions to optimize planned and operating assets.
KBR is seeking an experienced Senior Purchasing Specialist to provide procurement execution support for a major pharmaceutical capital project. This role serves as the primary commercial interface for assigned equipment, materials, and service packages and is responsible for managing cradle-to-grave procurement activities including sourcing, bid management, supplier negotiations, contract administration, supplier performance management, and procurement governance.
The Senior Purchasing Specialist works closely with Engineering, Project Management, Construction, Quality, Supply Chain, and supplier partners to ensure procurement activities support project safety, quality, schedule, cost, and operational objectives.
Functional Job Responsibilities Will Include But Are Not Limited To:
- Execute cradle-to-grave procurement activities including sourcing, bid solicitation, commercial evaluation, supplier selection, contract award, administration, and change management.
- Manage procurement of major equipment, materials, and services to support project execution objectives and schedules.
- Support development and implementation of procurement execution plans aligned with project requirements.
- Lead commercial negotiations involving pricing, contract terms, delivery schedules, scope changes, and claims resolution.
- Coordinate sourcing events, supplier evaluations, bid reviews, commercial recommendations, and contract award activities.
- Administer purchase orders and contracts, including change management, issue resolution, and supplier communications.
- Monitor supplier performance related to quality, schedule, delivery, commercial compliance, and contractual obligations.
- Support procurement risk identification, mitigation planning, and supply chain contingency activities.
- Drive delivery of assigned equipment, materials, and services to support project schedules and milestones.
- Coordinate with engineering, project management, construction, quality, logistics, and project controls teams to support integrated project execution.
- Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships that support project and organizational objectives.
- Support procurement reporting, governance requirements, cost management, forecasting, and performance tracking activities.
- Identify opportunities for cost savings, process improvements, and procurement optimization.
- Ensure compliance with company procurement procedures, quality requirements, ethical sourcing standards, and project governance processes.
- Support procurement closeout activities and documentation requirements.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related discipline preferred.
- Minimum 6 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management.
- Demonstrated experience managing sourcing events, bid evaluations, supplier negotiations, contract awards, and commercial administration activities.
- Experience supporting EPC, EPCM, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, manufacturing, refining, LNG, petrochemical, chemical, or similar industrial capital projects.
- Experience working within schedule-driven project environments and coordinating cross-functional project stakeholders.
- Strong contract negotiation, commercial management, supplier management, and communication skills.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced project environment.
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills:
- Experience supporting global procurement organizations and international project execution.
- Experience supporting lump-sum project procurement environments.
- Experience with major equipment commodities including static equipment, rotating equipment, instrumentation, electrical equipment, and piping commodities.
- Experience utilizing e-Procurement, e-Bidding, and strategic sourcing platforms.
- CPSM, CPSD, or equivalent professional procurement certification preferred.
- Experience supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, EPC, or EPCM project environments.
Travel Requirements:
- Ability to travel up to 20% as required to support supplier meetings, project activities, inspections, and procurement execution requirements.
- Domestic and occasional international travel may be required.
Decarbonization – Energy Transition – Sustainability
KBR Benefits
KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.
Click here to learn more: KBR Benefits
Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR
At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.
KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
See All 11 Purchasing Specialist Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Purchasing Specialist JobsPurchasing Specialist Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Purchasing Specialist Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in purchasing specialist jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, or a related field required
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or CPPO credential strongly preferred
- Demonstrated experience with federal acquisition regulations (FAR) for government contractor roles
- Proficiency in ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Deltek Costpoint
- Strong negotiation skills and vendor relationship management experience
- Familiarity with Virginia state procurement procedures for public sector positions
Purchasing Specialist Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a purchasing specialist in Virginia?
Most purchasing specialist positions in Virginia require a bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, or a related field. Virginia does not issue a state-specific license for purchasing specialists, but employers strongly favor candidates holding the Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) credential or the Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) designation administered through the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, which is headquartered in Virginia and widely recognized across the state's public sector.
How much do purchasing specialists make in Virginia?
Purchasing specialists in Virginia earn a median of about $54,660 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $42,120 for the lowest 10% to over $69,240 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire purchasing specialists in Virginia?
Employers hiring purchasing specialists in Virginia right now include GAS GLOBAL SERVICES, KBR, and Empower AI, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's dense concentration of defense contractors and federal agencies in Northern Virginia, combined with major health systems and technology firms statewide, makes it one of the more active markets for procurement professionals on the East Coast.
Which Virginia cities have the most purchasing specialist jobs?
Richmond, Danville, and Quantico have the most purchasing specialist openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia dominates due to its massive cluster of defense contractors and federal agency headquarters, while Richmond draws demand from state government procurement offices and regional healthcare systems, and Hampton Roads reflects the purchasing needs of naval installations and military support contractors concentrated in that region.
Are there remote purchasing specialist jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than many comparable roles, since purchasing specialists spend most of their time on analysis, negotiation, and vendor communication rather than on-site physical work. About 33% of purchasing specialist openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting broad employer acceptance of flexible arrangements. Vendor management, contract analysis, and indirect procurement roles tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while government contract positions often require on-site presence due to security requirements.
How can I get hired as a purchasing specialist in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for purchasing assistant or procurement coordinator roles, which large Virginia employers like Northrop Grumman, Inova Health System, and Virginia state agencies post regularly as on-ramps to full specialist positions. Adjacent roles in inventory management, accounts payable, or logistics within defense contractors or health systems also provide a direct route in. Earning the Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) Foundation credential or completing a supply chain internship through universities like Virginia Tech or George Mason strengthens any entry-level application considerably.
Where can I find and apply to purchasing specialist jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to purchasing specialist jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search through the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and preferences, and apply directly to the positions that fit.
See All 11 Purchasing Specialist Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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