Purchasing Operations Specialist (Contract Talent)

Who We Are

Robert Half is seeking a contract Purchasing Operations Specialist, and this team supports the operations of the Procurement team. Coordinator roles are responsible for daily transactions related to the processing of orders for Corporate and branch offices. This includes reviewing incoming purchase requests for proper authorization, preparing requests in purchase order (PO) system, processing orders with no sourcing activities, assisting with change orders as necessary and completing transactions in Pcard system. Responsible for research and resolution of aged PO and invoice match issues. Prepare reporting for all accrual entries to ensure proper accounting of company expenses. Manage item maintenance in department systems and assist with system enhancements and testing. Partner with financial teams as necessary for downstream PO interface issues. 

What You'll Do

Order Review, Analysis and Processing

• Review and analyze purchase requests before PO creation for proper account coding, shipping, item standards, approvals and related transaction detail, using pre-defined company guidelines.

• Communicate with requestors to validate information as needed. Using experience and judgement, may review quotes and make corrections to, or add to orders as necessary to ensure they meet requestor requirements and make them ready for PO creation.  Process orders and/or transactions not requiring sourcing/bid activities including recurring parking, postage and related Blanket Purchase Order requests.

• May assist AP Specialists with downstream system errors and coding questions, analyzing scenarios to determine resolution and allow for system processing.

Transaction Reconciliation & Accrual

• Analyze complex invoices not matched in procurement/AP systems to identify issues and determine resolution to facilitate invoice processing.  Work with suppliers to obtain credits, reconcile account statements or provide guidance on proper invoicing procedures. 

• Review and analyze special handling non-PO and summary invoices to ensure accuracy and format for AP processing.  May manually enter invoices that are received hard copy. 

• Review monthly reports to research and resolve orders with no delivery/receipt/invoice activity. Communicate directly with suppliers to confirm order status. 

• Responsible for the reconciliation of the Purchase Card (Pcard) transaction paperwork for all department cardholders.  Ensure all transaction coding is complete and accurate and reconcile monthly statements to Pcard system reports.  Monitor cardholder activities to ensure transactions were properly approved and statements submit timely.  May assist with other standard filing duties as needed. 

Customer Service & Issue Resolution

• Monitor team inbox and respond to inquiries.  Initial point of contact for all customer inquiries regarding system use, order status or delivery issues.   Assist customers with login or order issues for national accounts.  Communicate directly with suppliers to resolve delivery or order issues.  Communicate with customers to assist / train on system use.

System Maintenance

• Input address updates into procurement system and notify suppliers. 

• Review and analyze monthly reports to reconcile orders with receipts and invoices.  Will conduct research and then determine appropriate actions to close out aged or unused orders. 

Reporting

• Run weekly reporting and maintain reporting files/folders.  Compile and analyze documentation for testing activities and respond to auditor questions when necessary.

• Run monthly reports/queries for receipt accrual process.  Review and analyze data to confirm and/or calculate necessary accruals. 

• Communicate with purchasing team, requestors and accounting teams to validate appropriate accruals.  Prepare accrual spreadsheet with PO and accounting information in preparation for journal entry.  May prepare other reports as needed. 

What You'll Need

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Degree in Business or related field preferred. 

• 3+ years working in an accounting/finance or purchasing position required 

• Experience with all Microsoft Office applications, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook.

• Strong understanding of business and general accounting principles. 

• Thorough understanding of company controls and accounting rules and ability to use them to guide actions.

• Effective communicator, both written and verbal.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

• Strong problem-solving and time management skills​

The typical hourly pay rate for this position is shown below and is negotiable depending upon experience and location.

Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, and dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.

Robert Half Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veteran

As part of Robert Half’s Corporate Services facility employment process, any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Our recruiters use their expertise and may utilize AI to help with their evaluation of candidates.

Robert Half is committed to being an equal employment employer offering opportunities to all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities. If you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to apply for a position, please contact us by sending an email to HRSolutions@roberthalf.com or call 1.855.744.6947 for assistance.

In your email please include the following:

• The specific accommodation requested to complete the employment application.

• The location(s) (city, state) to which you would like to apply.

For positions located in San Francisco, CA: Robert Half will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

For positions located in Los Angeles County, CA: Robert Half will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.