Global Buyer I – MRO Services Reading, PA

Carpenter Technology Corporation; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Carpenter Technology Corporation in Reading, PA seeks a Global Buyer I to lead strategic sourcing for outside services and MRO across the enterprise. You will drive cost optimization, manage supplier performance, and mitigate risk to support plant uptime and regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least 5 years in industrial MRO procurement, with proven negotiation and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field required.
• Minimum 5 years in sourcing/procurement with MRO focus in industrial settings.
• Proven contract negotiation, supplier management and cost reduction track record.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end sourcing and category management for outside services and MRO across sites.
• Negotiate MSAs, SLAs, and terms; drive supplier consolidation and standardization.
• Monitor supplier performance, risk, and compliance; report savings to leadership.

Skills

Category management

Negotiation

Supplier management

MRO procurement

ERP systems

Cost reduction

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field

Tools

MS Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Carpenter Technology Corporation is a leading producer and distributor of premium specialty alloys, including titanium alloys, nickel and cobalt based superalloys, stainless steels, alloy steels and tool steels. Carpenter Technology’s high-performance materials and advanced process solutions are an integral part of critical applications used within the aerospace, transportation, medical and energy markets, among other markets. Building on its history of innovation, Carpenter Technology’s wrought and powder technology capabilities support a range of next-generation products and manufacturing techniques, including novel magnetic materials and additive manufacturing.

Principal Purpose of Position:

The Global Buyer I is responsible for the strategic sourcing, category management and supplier governance of operational, environmental, and facilities-related services across the enterprise. This role drives value through total cost optimization, service standardization, supplier performance management, and risk mitigation, ensuring reliable execution of critical services that support plant uptime reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance.

The position partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Facilities and EH&S teams to ensure the timely, cost-effective, and reliable supply of critical services that support plant uptime and operational performance. The ideal candidate brings strong category management discipline, a process-improvement mindset, and proven experience managing complex MRO supply bases in a multi-site, industrial environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Outside Services Management & Strategic Sourcing:

• Lead end-to-end sourcing and category management for outside services, including:
• Facilities management (janitorial, security, grounds maintenance)
• Environmental services (waste remediation/disposal, recycling, water treatment, compliance services)
• Operational services (industrial cleaning, inspections, uniforms, specialty maintenance, calibration, repairs)
• Develop and execute category strategies aligned to cost, service levels, risk, and standardization.
• Drive supplier consolidation, scope bundling, and service standardization and implement preferred supplier programs across sites.
• Source suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships to secure best-in-class service and value.
• Execute competitive sourcing events, negotiate commercial terms/multi-site master service agreements (MSAs), and award contracts aligned to business objectives.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key MRO service providers and contractors ensuring effective communication, performance management, and issue resolution.
• Conduct performance reviews and quality audits of suppliers to ensure compliance with contractual terms, quality standards, performance metrics and delivery timelines.
• Monitor market trends, supplier risk, and availability of critical MRO services to proactively mitigate supply disruptions.

Contract Negotiation & Management:

• Negotiate preferred terms and conditions for contracts, including productivity-based pricing structures, service levels, lead times, and commercial terms.
• Partner with Legal, Finance, and Compliance to ensure contracts meet company standards and risk requirements.
• Continuously evaluate, benchmark and renegotiate agreements to drive year-over-year value, productivity, and service improvements.

Cost Management & Value Creation:

• Deliver measurable cost savings and productivity improvements through strategic sourcing, scope optimization, demand management, standardization, rate benchmarking and supplier optimization.
• Partner with Finance and Operations to support budget planning, spend forecasting, and cost control initiatives.
• Align with stakeholders to identify opportunities to shift from reactive to planned/preventive service models.
• Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives to reduce total cost of ownership through effective negotiations, alternative sourcing, and process improvements.
• Track and report savings, cost avoidance, contract compliance, and category performance metrics to leadership.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Act as the primary procurement partner to Operations, Maintenance, Facilities, and EH&S for MRO service-related needs.
• Participate in Daily Site Management Meetings.
• Translate operational requirements into effective sourcing strategies and supplier solutions.
• Support site project teams by ensuring the timely delivery of required services and performance levels.
• Support site initiatives focused on uptime reliability, safety, and maintenance productivity through strong MRO service strategies.
• Ensure all MRO procurement activities comply with company policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Mitigate risks associated with contractor availability, contractor safety performance, supplier quality issues, and regulatory compliance.
• Proactively manage supplier, supply chain, and commercial risk within the MRO category.
• Support audits, supplier qualifications, and compliance reviews as required.

Process Improvement & Digital Enablement:

• Drive continuous improvement in MRO procurement processes, workflows, and governance.
• Establish standardization and clarity of service scopes, rate cards, and contracting frameworks.
• Leverage ERP and procurement systems to improve spend visibility, compliance, and buying efficiency.
• Promote best practices in category management, sourcing, and supplier management across sites.
• Drive operational excellence in the Req-to-PO process by proactively managing demand queues and backlogs to ensure a consistent conversion time of less than one business day.
• Explore and adopt AI-driven solutions to streamline procurement workflows, improve cycle times, and enhance visibility into MRO spend and supplier performance.

Education and/or Training:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field, required.
• Professional Procurement certifications (e.g., CPSM, CIPS) is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in sourcing and procurement, with a strong focus on MRO services and contractor management in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience managing MRO categories, supplier portfolios, and multi-site spend.
• Demonstrated success in contract negotiation (MSAs, SLAs, rate structures), supplier performance management, and cost reduction initiatives
• Strong understanding of MRO facilities and environmental services, contractor safety and compliance requirements, and total cost of ownership concepts.

Carpenter Technology Company offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package including life, medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, disability coverage, 401k with company contributions as well as many other options to employees.

Carpenter Technology Corporation’s policy is to fully and effectively maintain a program of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination for all employees, to employ affirmative action for all protected classes, and to recruit and develop the best qualified persons available regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law. The Company also will recruit, develop and provide opportunities for qualified persons with disabilities and protected veterans.