Procurement Intern - Summer 2027
POET
Summary
As a Procurement Intern, you will be responsible for providing key support to the Procurement team. You will assist with managing bid requests, researching and analyzing spend with vendors, working with vendors to ensure timely delivery, and varied data entry. The Procurement Intern's role is to ensure professional execution of the procurement process from contracts and bidding to purchase order processing, delivery, installation, and performance tracking. This may include but is not limited to order tracking, spend analysis, and operations analytics.
Job description
Job Summary & Responsibilities
As a Procurement Intern, you will be responsible for providing key support to the Procurement team. You will assist with managing bid requests, researching and analyzing spend with vendors, working with vendors to ensure timely delivery, and varied data entry. The Procurement Intern's role is to ensure professional execution of the procurement process from contracts and bidding to purchase order processing, delivery, installation, and performance tracking. This may include but is not limited to order tracking, spend analysis, and operations analytics.
This is an on-site role located at POET's corporate headquarters in Sioux Falls, SD. Responsibilities include:
- Working with internal stakeholders to plan and execute requests for proposals and/or bid packages, including bid receipt confirmation, documentation management and bid review and selection process.
- Analyzing spend in assigned categories to identify opportunities to increase value.
- Researching industry trends and leaders to provide strategic recommendations to internal business units.
- Extracting and summarizing data from our procurement software.
- Assisting with vendor relationship management including researching potential new vendors, negotiations and business reviews.
- Reviewing and updating contractor compliance and qualification status of vendors.
- Following up with vendors to ensure on-time delivery of goods.
- Compiling information from multiple data sources to create vendor scorecards.
- Providing timely status updates on projects and tasks.
- Since we're all about teamwork and getting the job done, your skills may be put to a lot of other uses!
Qualifications & Skills
- High school diploma or equivalent required. Junior or senior level status working toward a bachelor's degree majoring in an accredited program, preferably in Business, Economics, Supply Chain, or Engineering.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills as well as the ability to adapt to change.
- Knowledge of the basics of Microsoft Office Suite and the ability of learning new programs.
A Successful Candidate Will Have
- High level of personal integrity
- Eager to learn and change the world.
- Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic and changing environment.
- Interpersonal skills – ability to effectively interact with individuals at all levels within/outside the organization
- Demonstrated relationship-building skills.
- Demonstrated problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Ability to embrace and promote change
- Innovative mindset
- Ability to think objectively
- Self-awareness in the face of uncertainty
- Ability to work in a team environment
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Junior or senior level status working toward a bachelor's degree majoring in an accredited program, preferably in Business, Economics, Supply Chain, or Engineering
- Strong written and oral communication skills, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent organizational and time management skills as well as the ability to adapt to change
- Knowledge of the basics of Microsoft Office Suite and the ability of learning new programs
Benefits
- Wellness Program
- On-site Fitness Centers
- Fitness Reimbursements
- Safety Gear Reimbursements
- Cold-Weather Gear Reimbursements
Company overview
POET is the world's largest producer of biofuel and a global leader in sustainable bioproducts, founded in 1987 and headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The company operates 35 bioprocessing facilities across the Midwest, three corporate offices, four terminal locations, and employs nearly 2,600 team members. POET specializes in creating plant-based alternatives to fossil fuels, leveraging biotechnology to convert renewable agricultural resources into bioethanol, distillers grains, corn fermented protein, distillers corn oil, bioCO2, dry ice, purified alcohol, and asphalt rejuvenator. With more than 140 U.S. patents, POET has established itself as an innovator in the biotechnology sector, focusing on reducing dependence on foreign oil, revitalizing global agriculture, and creating sustainable energy solutions. The company's integrated business model combines research and development with expertise in design, construction, technology, operations, public affairs, and marketing, positioning it as a comprehensive leader in the renewable energy and bioproducts industry.