About the role#
As a Procurement Intern at POET, you will support our procurement team in managing the full lifecycle of the purchasing process. This role involves everything from handling bid requests and analyzing vendor spend to tracking orders and ensuring timely deliveries. You will work closely with internal stakeholders to execute requests for proposals and maintain vendor relationships. This is a full-time, paid internship for Summer 2027 based at our headquarters in Sioux Falls.
What you'll do#
- Manage bid requests and support the review and selection process.
- Analyze spend data to identify value opportunities and research industry trends.
- Extract and summarize data from procurement software to create vendor scorecards.
- Assist with vendor relationship management, including negotiations and business reviews.
- Review and update contractor compliance and qualification status.
- Follow up with vendors to ensure on-time delivery of goods.
- Provide status updates on projects and tasks to internal teams.
- Perform data entry and operations analytics to support procurement goals.
What you'll need#
- Junior or senior standing in a bachelor’s degree program in Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain Management, or Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Chemical).
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn new software programs.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- High level of personal integrity and a willingness to learn.
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment and build professional relationships.
Location & details#
- Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
- Term: Summer 2027.
- Modality: On-site.
- Employment Type: Full-time.
About POET
POET produces biofuel and sustainable bioproducts from plant-based materials. The company operates 34 bioprocessing facilities across eight states. It employs 1,958 people and maintains headquarters in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The organization holds over 140 patents in biotechnology.
How to get in at POET
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