Procurement Specialist, Communications in San Francisco, California

Job Title

Join a fast-paced Communications Strategy & Operations team in a hands-on procurement role focused on keeping vendor and agency requests moving smoothly from intake through execution. This position offers the opportunity to manage purchase orders, contracts, amendments, and invoicing across a dynamic, multi-vendor environment while partnering closely with internal teams and external vendors.

• Manage purchase requests and change orders through the procure-to-pay process, including intake, submission, and follow-up on approvals
• Draft statements of work and contract amendments from established templates and guide them through the contract workflow
• Persistently track signatures and approvals, escalating blockers early to avoid delays
• Review purchase orders against contract terms at a detailed line-item level, identifying discrepancies, missing charges, and billing issues
• Monitor active purchase orders in real time and regularly identify items that need follow-up or resolution
• Maintain accurate data for monthly finance spend tracking and reconciliation
• Collaborate with communications teammates, accounting, procurement operations, legal, finance, vendors, and agency partners
• Serve as the day-to-day point of contact for vendor and agency procurement questions, issues, and coordination
• Communicate clearly, professionally, and promptly with internal partners and external vendors
• Handle changing priorities and urgent requests while keeping ongoing work on track

• 5-7+ years of relevant experience in procurement, operations, contract administration, or a similar high-volume coordination role
• Strong attention to detail, especially when reviewing contracts, purchase orders, and invoices line by line
• Proven ability to manage a high-volume queue and follow tasks through to resolution
• Comfort working with spreadsheets, especially Google Sheets, for tracking and reconciliation
• Clear written and verbal communication skills with the ability to be thorough, timely, and professional
• Sound judgment on when to move forward independently and when to escalate
• Ability to build trust and maintain effective working relationships with vendors and internal teams
• Flexibility to adapt quickly to new tools, processes, and shifting priorities
• Experience working in fast-moving environments that require responsiveness and ownership

• Prior procurement experience in a communications, PR, or marketing agency services context
• Experience supporting communications or other fast-moving, non-bureaucratic teams
• Background in procurement operations or vendor relationship management
• Confidence navigating difficult conversations with tact and professionalism
• Experience partnering proactively across multiple stakeholders to keep work moving

Horizontal is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming workplace where different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences are valued. We believe diverse teams help create better outcomes, and we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. By applying for this position, you acknowledge and agree that Horizontal Talent may contact you regarding your application using automated technology, including phone calls, SMS/text messages, or email, which may be delivered by our virtual AI recruiter, Alex.

Applications will be accepted for 4 weeks. For those that join the team, we offer competitive compensation and benefits including medical, dental, vision, and retirement. The pay range for this role is $88 - $125 per hour based on qualifications and experience.