Principal Purchasing Specialist

KBR Careers; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KBR benefits package

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Principal Purchasing Specialist to support large EPC projects by managing procurement of goods and services, negotiating terms, and driving cost efficiency in a dynamic, schedule-driven environment. The role collaborates with operations, maintenance, warehouse, and engineering to ensure timely material flow.

Required are 9+ years in procurement with EPC exposure, strong negotiation and analytical skills, and proficiency in e-procurement tools and MS Office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or Business required; 9+ years procurement experience preferred.
• Experience with bid, evaluate, award cycles and contract execution.
• Strong cost reduction and negotiation track record.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Experience with e-procurement tools.

Responsibilities

• Execute cradle-to-grave purchasing activities for a specific commodity group or Project.
• Negotiate favorable terms, volume discounts and long-term contracts with suppliers.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives for a specific Project or Category.
• Develop category-specific sourcing strategies to support objectives and ensure alignment with Engineering.
• Identify corrective actions for quality or schedule issues with suppliers.
• Lead price and claim negotiations for procurement scope.

Skills

Procurement experience

EPC contracting

Cost reduction

Negotiation skills

MS Office

E-procurement tools

Supplier management

Analytical skills

Lumpsum procurement

Communication skills

Education

Undergraduate degree in Supply Chain Management or Business

Tools

MS Office

ERP systems

E-procurement platforms

Job description

Principal Purchasing Specialist

KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) provides holistic and value-added solutions across the entire asset life cycle. These include world-class licensed process technologies, differentiated advisory services, deep technical domain expertise, energy transition solutions, high-end design capabilities, and smart solutions to optimize planned and operating assets.

KBR is seeking a Principal Purchasing Specialist to support large EPC projects by managing the procurement of goods and services under direct supervision. This role is responsible for negotiating supplier terms, securing cost efficiencies, resolving delivery or quality issues, and coordinating closely with operations, maintenance, warehouse, and engineering teams to ensure the timely and efficient flow of materials.

Functional job responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Under limited direction, executes and supervises cradle to grave purchasing activities (including bid, evaluate, award cycle, execution of agreements, execution of changes, price and schedule negotiations) for a specific commodity group or Project.
• Negotiates favorable terms, volume discounts and long-term contracts with suppliers for the procurement of goods, services and supplies.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives for a specific Project or Category.
• Understand, track, and forecast the key cost drivers and market factors for assigned Category group.
• Assist in developing a Category specific sourcing strategies to support corporate and divisional objectives, providing the company competitive advantage in the areas of materials, supplies, and services and ensure the alignment with Engineering.
• Identify corrective actions and measures in case of quality or schedule issues with suppliers.
• Works closely with Engineering and the project management teams
• Assures that problems are reported timely to the projects and senior procurement management.
• Locate, analyze, and develop a consolidated supplier base to meet current and future Project needs.
• Create and maintain mutually beneficial long-term partnerships with suppliers to foster feedback and continuous improvement.
• Provide input to drive continuous improvement in all aspects of the procurement process, procedures and tools
• Conducts the orderly closeout of Procurement operations, including settlement of claims and back-charges, and resolving punch list items assigned to Procurement.
• Leads price and claim negotiations for their scope of procurement.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Skills required for this job are typically acquired through the completion of an undergraduate degree, preferably in Supply Chain Management or Business, and/or 9+ years of Procurement and Supply Chain Management experience with a global EPC company executing contracts in key industries, such as Refining, LNG, petrochemical, chemical, etc.
• Experience in purchasing including bid, evaluate, award cycle, execution of agreements, execution of changes, price and schedule negotiations, and commercial strategy a plus.
• Proven Track Record in cost reduction programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills in order to flow goals and directives and effectively communicate commercial solutions and concepts to procurement personnel and non-procurement personnel.
• Experience using E-procurement tools, such as e-bidding or e-auctions
• Ability to work in a complex schedule driven work environment.
• Candidates must have strong analytical skills, proficiency in MS office products, and the ability to learn new software quickly.
• Strong negotiation skills with a proven track record in cost reduction and control.
• Experience in Lumpsum Procurement environments.

Preferred Education & Skills

• Ability to speak Mandarin a plus.
• Experience with international project locations is preferred.

KBR Benefits

• KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

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