Junior Procurement Buyer

SUMMARY: 

About the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA)

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) owns and oversees the operations of various facilities such as the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center (MCEC), The Lawn On D, and the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center. We are committed to delivering world-class event experiences that drive statewide economic growth, foster innovation, and exceed customer expectations all while cultivating a workplace culture that values excellence, inclusivity, and employee well-being.

Position Overview 
The Procurement Department plays a critical role in supporting MCCA’s operations through organization‑wide purchasing and contracting activities. The department ensures procurements are conducted in a transparent, competitive, compliant, and fiscally responsible manner while advancing the Authority’s supplier diversity goals.

Reporting to the Director of Purchasing, the Junior Procurement Buyer supports the day‑to‑day purchasing of goods and services that enable MCCA operations. This role works collaboratively with Senior Buyer(s), Procurement Department staff, internal stakeholders, and vendors to support competitive sourcing, timely purchasing, and compliant procurement practices in alignment with MCCA’s best value procurement principles.

The Junior Procurement Buyer develops subject‑matter expertise in goods and services procurement, supplier diversity programs, applicable Commonwealth of Massachusetts procurement requirements, and the use of cooperative purchasing vehicles such as statewide contracts. 

Supplier Diversity Statement
The Authority is committed to supplier diversity and expanding equitable access to contracting opportunities. The Procurement Department supports this commitment by encouraging participation of certified diverse and small businesses, conducting outreach and removing unnecessary barriers to competition, and tracking/reporting supplier diversity benchmarks and affirmative marketing requirements as applicable. Procurement Department staff are required to complete trainings and fully comply with the MCCA’s Supplier Diversity Program requirements, including good faith efforts to engage with diverse, local, and small businesses when soliciting quotes on the behalf of the Authority. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. The MCCA reserves the right to modify this job description at any time, with or without notice. 

Duties and responsibilities of the Junior Procurement Buyer include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Support the Procurement team with the day‑to‑day execution of goods and services procurements in accordance with MCCA policies and procedures
• Independently manage incidental and small procurements in compliance with established procurement thresholds, approval requirements, and best value principles
• Prepare Requests for Quotations (RFQs), solicit and evaluate written price quotations, and document pricing analyses and Best Value determinations
• Conduct preliminary market research and vendor outreach activities under the direction of the Director of Purchasing to support informed sourcing decisions
• Assist with cost and price analysis activities and prepare supporting documentation to ensure pricing reasonableness and audit readiness
• Maintain procurement files and folders for the goods and services contract portfolio, coordinating with other Procurement staff to ensure records are complete, accurate, and compliant with policy and record retention requirements
• Issue purchase orders in the Business Central financial system, following receipt of required approvals and confirmation of procurement method
• Coordinate with Procurement, Finance, and vendors to support invoice review and payment processing, ensuring vendor payments are issued in accordance with contract terms and agreed‑upon payment schedules
• Engage vendors on routine matters, including clarification requests, delivery coordination, and basic performance or service issues
• Escalate complex procurement decisions, negotiations, compliance issues, or vendor disputes to Senior Buyer(s) or the Director of Purchasing, as appropriate

Supplier Diversity Responsibilities

• Support compliance with the MCCA Supplier Diversity Program (MSDP) and the Commonwealth Supplier Diversity Program (SDP), as applicable
• Conduct outreach to certified diverse, local, and small businesses when sourcing incidental and small procurements
• Document good faith efforts, outreach activities, and supplier diversity participation in procurement files and folders
• Participate in required supplier diversity and procurement training programs
• Perform other work-related duties as assigned by Director of Purchasing 

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: 

• High school diploma or GED required 
• A minimum of 1-2 years of professional experience that includes exposure to purchasing, vendor coordination, documentation management, or business operations
• Demonstrated knowledge of the procurement lifecycle, such as competitive bidding, vendor solicitation, compliance documentation, and the preparation of purchasing documents such as RFQs and purchase orders 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint
• Experience working in an ERP system for purchasing and order processing; Microsoft Business Central preferred, though equivalent experience in a comparable platform such as SAP, Oracle, Coupa, or Workday will be considered
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage professionally with internal stakeholders, external vendors, and community constituents; present information clearly; and respond effectively to questions from diverse audiences
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities, meeting deadlines, maintaining accurate documentation, and recognizing when decisions or exceptions require escalation to management 
• Demonstrated discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive information, including but not limited to vendor pricing, bid data, and internal budget details 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• An associate's or bachelor's degree in Business, Public Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field
• Demonstrated knowledge in contract management and/or business program administration
• Professional work experience in a public authority, government agency, or similarly regulated procurement environment 
• Experience working with various project constituencies, including government agencies, citizen and community advocacy groups, private sector businesses, and nonprofit organizations
• Familiarity with supplier diversity programs or experience sourcing from certified diverse and small businesses 
• Knowledge of Massachusetts procurement laws, regulations, and/or public contracting requirements 

WORK SCHEDULE: Standard business hours, with the understanding that schedules may vary based on operational needs. 

All positions within the MCCA are designated as on-site roles. As such, this position requires in-person attendance five days per week. Remote or hybrid work arrangements are not part of MCCA's operational model.

DRESS CODE: Business formal. Employees are expected to project dignity and decorum appropriate for public-facing leadership roles through professional dress and grooming.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities will be provided in accordance with MCCA’s accommodation policy and applicable laws.

EMPLOYMENT AT-WILL: Employment with the MCCA is at-will. This means that either the employee or the MCCA may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, and nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to alter this at-will relationship.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) STATEMENT: The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome qualified applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected category.

If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact our Human Resources team.