Jobs › CME Group

Procurement Specialist

CME Group · Chicago, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 16, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a negotiation with a hardware or software supplier where you got more than a price cut.

What they are checking: Whether they negotiate terms like warranty, delivery and price holds that create lasting value.

Tell me about a custom report you built in Excel or Google Sheets that people actually used.

What they are checking: Whether their reporting skills go beyond basic formulas and serve real decisions.

How do you keep supplier relationships strong while still pushing them hard on terms?

What they are checking: Whether they can be firm in negotiations and still be a partner suppliers want to keep serving.

What would you do

A software maintenance renewal lapsed last month and the vendor won't provide support until it's paid. How would you prevent that from happening again?

What they are checking: Whether they keep reliable renewal tracking, which the posting names as part of the job.

An employee wants a new app that Third-Party Risk Management hasn't reviewed, and they need it this week. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they route new tools through risk review without ignoring the user's real need.

Desktop Engineering wants a specific model, but you can get a comparable one much cheaper. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they respect technical requirements while still pressing for cost efficiency with evidence.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd build a category strategy for desktop hardware for a global workforce.

What they are checking: Whether they can think beyond single purchases to refresh cycles, standards, supplier mix and long-term cost.

How would you do a total cost of ownership comparison between two laptop models?

What they are checking: Whether they include support, warranty, lifespan, imaging and disposal costs instead of just unit price.

How do you work with a Software Asset Management team before a renewal to avoid paying for unused licenses?

What they are checking: Whether they use license usage data to right-size purchases before negotiating.

How do you confirm a purchase is tied to an approved budget before you commit?

What they are checking: Whether they work with FP&A as a control, not an afterthought, so spend does not surprise Finance.

What steps do you follow to reconcile purchasing card transactions, and what problems do you usually find?

What they are checking: Whether they understand P-card controls and catch miscoded or unsupported charges.

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The full job description

As published by CME Group.

The Procurement Specialist leads sourcing efforts for desktop hardware and software to support our global workforce. Desktop Hardware and Software Management Responsibilities Include: • Responsible for negotiating and executing desktop hardware and software purchases • Leverages strong supplier relationships to negotiate favorable terms and capture long-term cost efficiencies. • Partners with the Software Asset Management Team and end users to understand and develop software requirements. • Partners with the Desktop Engineering Team to understand and develop hardware requirements. • Performs Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis to support buying decision • Builds and maintains a category strategy for desktop software and hardware. • Manages cross-functional orchestration to ensure the Third-Party Risk Management team is aware of any perceived threats with utilizing applications • Effectively communicates with FP&A to ensure expenditures or tied to an approved budget • Maintains maintenance renewal start and end dates to ensure support for hardware or applications is renewed on a timely basis Procurement Operations Responsibilities Include: · Performs custom reporting from internal tools and Google Sheets/MSFT Excel. · Supports the Purchasing Card payment and reconciliation process. · Provides additional operational support dependent upon available bandwidth. Skills and Software Requirements: • Proficiency in Google or Microsoft suite of collaboration tools • Ability to learn internal software tools such as Enterprise Resourcing Planning, Ticketing, and Contract Lifecycle Management. • Executive presence in order to effectively liaise with internal business partners and senior supplier personnel. • Self-Motivated and Detail Oriented • Relevant internship experience preferred #LI-RP1 CME Group is committed to offering a competitive total rewards package for our employees that recognizes their contributions to the business and reflects our long-term investment in their future. The pay range for this role is $27.69--$46.15. Actual salary offered will be dependent on a wide array of factors including but not limited to: relevant experience, skills, education and comparison to internal employees (where relevant). Our compensation program also includes an annual target bonus opportunity for all employees, as well as the opportunity to become an owner in the company through our broad-based equity program. Through our benefits program, we strive to offer flexibility, value and choice. From comprehensive health coverage, to a retirement package that includes both a 401(k) and an active pension plan, to highly competitive education reimbursement provisions, paid time off and a mental health benefit, CME Group offers a holistic benefits package for our team and their dependents. CME Group: Where Futures are Made CME Group is the world’s leading derivatives marketplace. But who we are goes deeper than that. Here, you can impact markets worldwide. Transform industries. And build a career by shaping tomorrow. We invest in your success and you own it – all while working alongside a team of leading experts who inspire you in ways big and small. Problem solvers, difference makers, trailblazers. Those are our people. And we’re looking for more. At CME Group, we embrace our employees' unique experiences and skills to ensure that everyone’s perspectives are acknowledged and valued. As an equal-opportunity employer, we consider all potential employees without regard to any protected characteristic. Important Notice: Recruitment fraud is on the rise, with scammers using misleading promises of job offers and interviews to solicit money and personal information from job seekers. CME Group adheres to established procedures designed to maintain trust, confidence and security throughout our recruitment process. Learn more here .

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