Materials Buyer

Brunel; Hubbard (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Brunel is seeking an experienced Material Buyer to support procurement activities for major EPC projects in the United States. The role involves managing the procurement cycle from receipt of engineering material requisitions through supplier selection and PO award, with close collaboration across Engineering, Project Management, Quality, Expediting, and Logistics.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of purchasing experience in EPC/EPCM environments, with exposure to oil & gas or heavy

Qualifications

• 5+ years of purchasing/procurement experience, preferably in EPC/EPCM projects.
• Experience in Oil & Gas, LNG, Refining, Petrochemical, or heavy industrial projects.
• Experience purchasing engineered equipment, bulk materials, and major equipment packages.

Responsibilities

• Review MRs, specs, data sheets, and procurement requirements issued by Engineering.
• Source qualified vendors for engineered equipment, bulk materials, and project-specific packages.
• Prepare and issue RFQs to approved vendors.
• Coordinate with Engineering on TBEs and ensure alignment of technical and commercial requirements.
• Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, terms, warranties, and other procurement conditions.
• Prepare, negotiate, and issue Purchase Orders and related documentation.
• Manage procurement packages from requisition through PO award and handoff to expediting.

Skills

Purchasing/Procurement experience

EPC/EPCM experience

ERP systems (SAP)

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

SAP

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Material Buyer to support procurement activities for major EPC projects. The Buyer will manage the procurement cycle from receipt of engineering material requisitions through supplier selection and purchase order award.

This role requires strong experience working in an EPC/EPCM environment and collaborating with Engineering, Project Management, Quality, Expediting, and Logistics to ensure equipment and materials are purchased in accordance with project specifications, budget, schedule, and contractual requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Review Material Requisitions (MRs), specifications, data sheets, and procurement requirements issued by Engineering.
• Source and identify qualified vendors for engineered equipment, bulk materials, and project-specific packages.
• Prepare and issue Requests for Quotation (RFQs) to approved vendors.
• Manage vendor clarification processes and coordinate technical questions with relevant engineering disciplines.
• Review supplier quotations and prepare commercial bid evaluations/commercial bid tabulations.
• Coordinate with Engineering on Technical Bid Evaluations (TBEs) and ensure commercial and technical requirements are aligned.
• Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, commercial terms, payment terms, warranties, and other contractual conditions.
• Make supplier recommendations considering technical compliance, commercial competitiveness, project schedule, quality, and delivery capability.
• Prepare, negotiate, and issue Purchase Orders (POs) and associated procurement documentation.
• Manage assigned procurement packages from requisition through PO award and handoff to post-award expediting.
• Resolve commercial, contractual, and supplier-related issues throughout the procurement cycle.
• Maintain relationships with manufacturers, suppliers, and subcontractors supporting EPC projects.
• Coordinate closely with Engineering, Project Controls, Quality, Expediting, Logistics, Construction, and Operations.
• Monitor procurement milestones against the overall EPC project schedule, particularly for critical and long-lead equipment.
• Maintain accurate procurement records, bid evaluations, vendor correspondence, and purchasing documentation.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and commercial improvements without compromising technical specifications, quality, or schedule.

Qualifications & Experience

• 5+ years of purchasing/procurement experience, preferably supporting EPC or EPCM projects.
• Experience within Oil & Gas, LNG, Refining, Petrochemical, Energy, or heavy industrial projects strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of the EPC procurement lifecycle, including:
• Material Requisitions
• RFQs
• Technical and commercial bid evaluations
• Purchase Orders
• Expediting coordination
• Experience purchasing engineered equipment, bulk materials, and/or major equipment packages.
• Ability to interpret engineering specifications, data sheets, requisitions, and vendor documentation from a procurement perspective.
• Strong commercial negotiation and supplier-management skills.
• Experience coordinating with multiple engineering disciplines and project stakeholders.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP/procurement systems preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline preferred, or equivalent relevant EPC procurement experience.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a project-focused Buyer with direct EPC/EPCM experience who can independently manage procurement packages from engineering requisition through PO award. They should be comfortable working between Engineering and vendors, managing technical/commercial bid processes, negotiating with equipment manufacturers, and purchasing equipment and materials against demanding EPC project schedules.