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Procurement Associate Jobs in Rhode Island (NOW HIRING)

The Procurement team is a key contributor to UNFI and is responsible for strategic planning ... Develops associate career path and continuous training and education, coaching, and mentoring.

Sr. Associate Procurement

West Greenwich, RI · On-site

$22 - $28.50/hr

In this vital role, you the Procurement Sr. Associate will join the Supply Chain Production Planning Team, which stands responsible for setting the pace of production in our Amgen biologic drug ...

Direct the procurement team's system application to enhance our competitive advantage in ... Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote ...

Plans and execute the procurement of materials needed in support of orders and forecasts ... Associates level degree in a business discipline preferred Experience: 3 years of purchasing ...

Associate's degree in Business Administration, Sales Support, or a related field. * +3 years of experience in administrative or support roles, preferably in a sales or procurement environment.

Associate's degree in Business Administration, Sales Support, or a related field. * +3 years of experience in administrative or support roles, preferably in a sales or procurement environment.

Associate's degree in Business Administration, Sales Support, or a related field. * +3 years of experience in administrative or support roles, preferably in a sales or procurement environment.

Assists retail buyer with procurement and merchandise and shop assistants with merchandising and ... Associate's degree (AA); or six months to one-year related experience and/or training; or ...

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Procurement Associate information

See Rhode Island salary details

$14

$25

$36

How much do procurement associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for procurement associate in Rhode Island is $25.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.61 and $29.90 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Procurement Associate vs Purchasing Coordinator?

AspectProcurement AssociatePurchasing Coordinator
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, or related fieldUsually requires a similar degree or relevant experience
Work EnvironmentWorks within procurement departments, handling supplier relations and procurement processesWorks in purchasing departments, focusing on order processing and vendor communication
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in manufacturing, retail, and logistics companiesOften found in corporate procurement and retail sectors
Search & Comparison IntentPeople compare to understand roles in procurement and purchasingOften compared to procurement roles for clarity on responsibilities

The main difference between a Procurement Associate and a Purchasing Coordinator lies in their scope of responsibilities. Procurement Associates are involved in broader procurement activities, including supplier management and sourcing strategies, while Purchasing Coordinators focus more on order processing and vendor communication. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and are integral to supply chain operations in various industries.

What are some common challenges Procurement Associates face when managing supplier relationships?

Procurement Associates often encounter challenges such as negotiating favorable terms while maintaining strong supplier relationships and ensuring timely delivery of goods or services. Balancing cost efficiency with quality standards can be demanding, especially when dealing with multiple vendors or tight deadlines. Effective communication, organization, and problem-solving skills are essential to address issues like late shipments, price fluctuations, or contract disputes, all while supporting the organization's procurement goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Procurement Associate, and why are they important?

A Procurement Associate typically needs a bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, or a related field, along with strong analytical and negotiation skills. Familiarity with procurement software like SAP Ariba or Oracle, and knowledge of contract management systems, are commonly required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and time management are crucial soft skills for building supplier relationships and managing multiple priorities. These abilities ensure efficient sourcing, cost savings, and smooth operations within an organization's supply chain.

What does a Procurement Associate do?

A Procurement Associate is responsible for supporting the purchasing process within an organization. Their duties include sourcing suppliers, obtaining quotes, processing purchase orders, and ensuring timely delivery of goods and services. They also collaborate with various departments to understand their procurement needs and maintain accurate records of transactions. Additionally, Procurement Associates help negotiate contracts and monitor supplier performance to ensure the best value for the company.
What are the most commonly searched types of Procurement jobs in Rhode Island? The most popular types of Procurement jobs in Rhode Island are:
What are popular job titles related to Procurement Associate jobs in Rhode Island? For Procurement Associate jobs in Rhode Island, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Procurement Associate jobs in Rhode Island look for? The top searched job categories for Procurement Associate jobs in Rhode Island are:
What cities in Rhode Island are hiring for Procurement Associate jobs? Cities in Rhode Island with the most Procurement Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Procurement Associate job openings in Rhode Island as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,099 per year, or $25.5 per hour.
Supervisor Procurement - Remote

Supervisor Procurement - Remote

UNFI

Providence, RI • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago


UNFI rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 128 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

19th of 48 rated food wholesalers


Job description

What does it mean to be part of the UNFI Procurement Team?
The Procurement team is a key contributor to UNFI and is responsible for strategic planning, purchasing, and management of over $2B in inventory. The procurement teams work hand in hand to support our customers and suppliers' needs, while achieving the goal of providing high service levels, and working towards creating new innovative solutions to drive UNFI's growth. Partnering with our suppliers and customers, we strive to make them stronger, our supply chain better, and our food solutions more inspired.
Job Overview:
The Supervisor of Procurement is responsible for leading and managing their team to meet departmental strategic goals. Supervisors have direct oversight for Procurement processes, analytics, promotions, purchase order revisions and resolutions, and expeditions. This position will address supplier escalations and ensure compliance with procurement policies and processes. Additional responsibilities will include defining best demonstrated practices and standardizing processes.
Job Responsibilities
  • Oversees daily activities of the team by monitoring service levels and helps execute against department goals
  • Accountable for inbound flow of product and inventory level management to maintain targeted outbound service levels impacting organizational profitability and customer success across assigned DCs.
  • Collaborates with cross-functional stakeholders, including Procurement leadership, Operations, Sales, and Merchandising, to drive results and address escalations with customers through research, analytics, and solutions.
  • Applies critical thinking and business acumen to identify and solve escalations.
  • Maintains close partnership with operations team at distribution centers to ensure prioritized inbound flow of product and maximize productivity.
  • Ensures the effective performance of the assigned Procurement functions.
  • Addresses and reviews service level reporting to provide guidance, coaching, suggestions, etc.
  • Responsible for generating fill rate, inventory, and spoilage projections for assigned DCs and executing to targets.
  • Ensures all Procurement processes are followed, errors or discrepancies are promptly reviewed and resolved.
  • Supports, implements, and trains the team on business strategic initiatives, including standard operating procedures.
  • Establishes and maintains effective communication and coordination with company personnel, direct reports, and management.
  • Participates in personnel decision-making, including hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management.
  • Develops associate career path and continuous training and education, coaching, and mentoring.
  • Provides leadership through effective goal setting, delegation, and communication.
  • Ensures personnel are complying with department policies and procedures.
  • Partners with management to address opportunities with a sense of urgency.
  • Develops, streamlines, and implements processes and procedures to meet evolving business needs in collaboration with all cross-functional business stakeholders.
  • Provides subject matter expertise in department and enterprise-wide projects to meet strategic initiatives.
  • Accountability for established department metrics for assigned region or group. (Fill rate, days on hand, spoilage, etc.).
  • Manages performance of direct reports and drives accountability at all levels within the department. Ensures operations meet or exceed Company metrics. Provides leadership to direct reports while focusing on process improvements and creating a high-performance supervisory team.
  • Develop and lead the assigned procurement team, providing coaching, mentorship, and expectations to create a cohesive and effective team. Serve as an example, establishing expectations for success with suppliers, customers, operations teams, and other stakeholders, leading to the achievement of key deliverables in the assigned area.
  • Develop data-driven plans to effectively achieve department goals, increase fill rate, decrease days on hand inventory, and decrease procurement shrinkage. Provide insight and guidance on reporting needs, dashboarding, and KPIs to drive and measure success.
  • Establishes buyer inventory dollar and turn goals and monitors results, taking corrective action as required.
  • Participates in developing and managing Division P&L by conducting analysis and providing relevant procurement data.
  • Monitors department's results compared to projections, identifies solutions, and recommends corrective actions.
  • Keeps the leadership team informed of area activities and of any significant problems or concerns.
  • Executes against reports such as the daily lost sales reports and open purchase order reports, and compiles information to share with the buyers, operations, and vendors as necessary.
  • Performs other relevant job duties as required.

Job Requirements:
Education/ Certifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred or equivalent experience.

Experience:
  • 4+ years of relevant experience.

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities:
  • Have strong knowledge of procurement and logistics processes.
  • Knowledge of large-scale distribution networks.
  • Deep understanding of grocery categories.
  • Strong analytical and math skillset.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
  • Capable of learning and utilizing multiple disparate systems.
  • Ability to investigate and analyze information and to draw conclusions.
  • Excellent problem-solving capabilities.
  • Mindset of continuous improvement.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
  • Ability to use own judgement to make decisions and drive results.
  • Can work independently as well as with a larger group.
  • Preferred SQL, Python, Alteryx, etc.
  • Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

Work Environment:
Remote Role:
This position is classified as remote, where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office regularly, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager.
Physical Environment/Demands:
  • Some travel may be required.
  • Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
  • Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
  • Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment during a normal workday.
  • Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.

#LI-REMOTE
UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
Compensation:
UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.
Benefits:
For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.
Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.
UNFI's compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company's sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.
Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act .

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