Vessel Purchasing Specialist

Business Administration Mint Hill, North Carolina Salary: USD 70000 - 78000 Annually

Position at Akamai Vessel Operations LLC

Are you a detail-oriented procurement professional who enjoys solving supply challenges, building strong vendor partnerships, and keeping critical vessel operations moving? Join Akamai Vessel Operations LLC as a Vessel Purchasing Specialist, where you will manage full-cycle purchasing activities that support assigned vessels and ensure equipment, supplies, and services are delivered accurately and on time.

In this role, you will work closely with Vessel Management teams, suppliers, and internal partners to plan purchase needs, process orders, monitor expenses, maintain documentation, and resolve supply chain issues. Your work will directly support operational readiness, cost control, vendor compliance, and reliable service across the fleet.

Coordinate purchasing activities that ensure vessels have the equipment and supplies needed to operate efficiently.

• Partner With Vessel Management: Work closely with vessel teams to plan routine and custom purchasing needs for equipment, supplies, and services.
• Gather Purchasing Requirements: Solicit and compile equipment specifications, quantity needs, delivery timelines, and operational priorities.
• Process Purchase Orders: Initiate, prepare, and manage purchase orders to support accurate and timely delivery.
• Monitor Order Status: Track open orders, communicate updates, and expedite delayed shipments when needed.
• Resolve Purchasing Issues: Coordinate changes, returns, replacements, credits, and other order-related concerns with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

• Research and Recommend Suppliers: Evaluate supplier options, monitor availability, and identify opportunities to improve value and savings.
• Support Vendor Negotiations: Assist with vendor discussions, due diligence, and purchasing decisions that support quality, service, and cost objectives.
• Monitor Contract Compliance: Help ensure vendor selection, documentation, and purchasing activities comply with contracts and applicable requirements.
• Maintain Purchasing Records: Update, organize, and audit purchasing files, contracts, supplier information, and procurement systems.
• Support Accurate Invoicing: Coordinate with internal teams to confirm invoice accuracy and facilitate prompt supplier payment.

Strengthen purchasing operations through organized processes, documentation, reporting, and continuous improvement.

• Develop Standard Processes: Document and maintain purchasing procedures, workflows, and best practices.
• Identify Improvement Opportunities: Recommend process enhancements that streamline supply chain activities, improve documentation, and reduce expenses.
• Track Key Performance Metrics: Analyze purchasing activity, expenses, supplier performance, and key operational measures.
• Prepare Purchasing Reports: Create and present reports, summaries, and insights related to purchasing activities and expenditures.
• Support Operational Excellence: Work independently and collaboratively to prioritize purchasing needs in a fast-paced, changing environment.

You bring purchasing expertise, strong organization, and the ability to support vessel operations through accurate, timely, and cost-effective procurement.

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Some college coursework preferred
• 4+ years of purchasing or procurement experience in marine equipment, industrial supply, or a closely related industry
• Knowledge of purchasing principles, procurement processes, and best practices for industrial, marine, or vessel equipment
• Experience coordinating purchasing activities, supplier communications, purchase orders, and documentation
• Ability to identify complex problems, evaluate options, and recommend practical solutions
• Strong organizational skills…