Buyer/Purchasing Agent

TekWissen ®; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global workforce management provider is seeking a Materials Buyer & Expeditor in Houston, Texas. The role involves purchasing and expediting materials to ensure availability for operations. Candidates should have at least 7 years of experience in materials purchasing within the oil and gas industry, along with strong SAP knowledge. This position requires effective problem-solving and clear communication skills. The company is committed to workforce diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience in materials purchasing and expediting.
• Strong knowledge of SAP materials purchasing processes.
• Ability to resolve material delays and shortages effectively.

Responsibilities

• Purchase and manage materials ensuring operational demand is met.
• Expedite orders and monitor delivery risks.
• Manage compliance and maintain procurement documentation.

Skills

SAP experience

Problem-solving skills

Strong communication skills

Problem-solving

Clear communication

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain or related discipline

Tools

SAP materials purchasing processes

Job description

TekWissen is a global workforce management provider headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan that offers strategic talent solutions to our clients world-wide

Job Description:

• The Materials Buyer & Expeditor is responsible for purchasing and expediting materials, spare parts, and MRO items to ensure material availability and continuity of operations.
• This role focuses on understanding material flow, lead times, delivery risks, and supply constraints, and actively driving resolution when issues arise.
• This is a materials-only role and does not include services procurement, supplier relationship ownership, contract negotiation, sourcing events, or tactical field execution. SAP experience is required.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Materials Buying - Execute purchasing activities for materials, spare parts, and MRO items using established sourcing strategies and contracts. Create, release, and manage material purchase orders in SAP, ensuring accuracy of pricing, quantities, lead times, and delivery terms. Confirm requirements prior to order placement and align orders to operational demand.
• Expediting & Delivery Management - Actively expedite open material purchase orders to meet required delivery dates. Monitor order status, identify delivery risks, and take corrective action to prevent shortages or schedule impacts. Coordinate with suppliers, logistics, warehouses, and internal stakeholders to resolve late, partial, or constrained deliveries. Understand key delivery drivers such as manufacturing lead times, supplier capacity constraints, transportation issues, and changes in demand.
• Issue Identification & Resolution - Identify and diagnose the root causes of material delays or shortages and drive practical resolution. Partner with planning, maintenance, warehouse, and logistics teams to clarify priorities and adjust delivery plans as needed. Escalate material risks appropriately and track actions through resolution.
• Compliance & Controls - Ensure all materials purchases align with approved sourcing methods, contracts, and procurement controls. Maintain required procurement documentation in accordance with records retention policies. Adhere to conflict-of-interest and ethical procurement standards.
• Status Updates & Communication - Provide clear and timely updates on material order status, expediting actions, and delivery risks. Communicate recovery plans and changes in supply status to stakeholders. Support short-term reporting related to open orders and overdue materials.

Scope Clarification:

• In scope: materials, spare parts, MRO purchasing, order management, expediting, and delivery issue resolution.
• Out of scope: services procurement, supplier relationship ownership, sourcing events, contract negotiation, and tactical field execution.

Education:

• High school diploma required.
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain or related discipline preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of hands-on experience in materials purchasing and expediting within the oil and gas industry or a comparable industrial, manufacturing, or asset-intensive environment.
• SAP experience is mandatory. Strong working knowledge of SAP materials purchasing processes including purchase orders, outline agreements, source lists, and purchasing info records.
• Ability to understand and interpret lead times, delivery commitments, and material constraints.
• Strong problem-solving skills with an action-oriented mindset.
• Clear communication skills and strong follow-through.

TekWissen® Group is an equal opportunity employer supporting workforce diversity.