IT Purchasing Administrator

We are seeking a highly organized and detail‑oriented IT Purchasing Administrator to support software and license management, purchasing workflows, and lifecycle operations across our IT organization. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, enjoys problem‑solving, is extremely organized, and takes pride in maintaining accurate, efficient procurement and inventory processes.

The IT Procurement Specialist plays a key part in ensuring the organization has the hardware, software, and technology resources needed to operate effectively. The position involves ensuring IT purchases meet both security and project requirements, coordinating purchases, maintaining inventory records, assisting with internal charge backs and tracking, maintaining company-wide licensing agreements, and working closely with vendors, internal stakeholders, and the broader IT team.

• Perform routine IT purchasing duties, ensuring accuracy and compliance throughout the procurement lifecycle.
• Conduct data entry related to order history, inventory levels, asset tracking, and software licensing.
• Assist with maintaining equipment inventory, including updating records, reconciling counts, and supporting audits.
• Process IT inventory related tasks for new hires and terminations; including assigning or revoking software licenses and accurately logging all changes.
• Monitor and manage the Procurement queue by reviewing, noting, and assigning incoming tickets for timely resolution.
• Track licensed software, vouchers, renewals, and usage to maintain compliance and budget visibility.
• Create, revise, and maintain knowledge base documentation to support internal procurement processes and user guidance.
• Receive, process, and route incoming shipments and ensure assets are recorded and distributed efficiently.
• Communicate with vendors to request quotes, gather competitive pricing, and ensure approvals are secured.
• Coordinate with Central Purchasing team to complete purchases and finalize orders.

Required Skills:

• High school diploma
• 6+ years relevant experience (education may be used in lieu of experience)
• Minimum 2 years' experience in technology-related procurement
• Strong oral & written communication skills
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a team‑oriented environment and contribute to departmental goals.

Position Preferences:

• Associate degree in a related area; 3.0 GPA or better
• Self-directed, detail-oriented problem solver who can manage multiple tasks at once
• Experience with federal or state government purchasing procedures

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• You maintain accurate, audit‑ready data across all procurement and asset systems.
• You ensure requests move quickly through the procurement workflow with minimal delays.
• You communicate clearly with vendors and internal stakeholders to keep purchasing processes smooth and transparent.
• You proactively identify inefficiencies and suggest improvements to enhance procurement and asset management operations.
• You work collaboratively with IT, Accounting, Security, and other departments to support organizational needs.

Team Information:

Successful applicant will become a member of an IT Procurement team that currently supports IT purchasing and tracking for approximately 1,000 employees but will be working towards centralizing IT purchasing across the company.

Company Information:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the engineering and science industry. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2200 professionals and is rapidly growing. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership spawns greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are recognized and rewarded for their contributions which not only add to the company's success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, "Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit" sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please apply at careers.ara.com.