Sourcing Specialist

Sterling Specialty Chemicals US LLC; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Specialty Chemicals US LLC is seeking a Global Sourcing Specialist – Raw Materials in Houston. This role focuses on identifying international suppliers of polymers, solvents, and intermediates, negotiating terms, and optimizing total landed costs for US manufacturing operations.

Ideal candidates will have 5+ years in international chemical sourcing, extensive RFQ/RFP experience, and strong tariff and logistics knowledge to deliver measurable cost savings while ensuring supply

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of international chemical sourcing experience.
• Experience developing and managing RFQ/RFP and supplier bidding processes.
• Proven negotiation of international supplier agreements and pricing.
• Strong knowledge of global chemical markets, tariffs, HTS, and landed-cost models.
• Advanced Excel and experience with ERP purchasing systems (prefer SAP).

Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify, and develop international suppliers of specialty chemical raw materials.
• Expand supplier network across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and other markets.
• Lead competitive bidding processes including RFQs, RFPs, and tenders.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, Incoterms, and long-term supply agreements.
• Coordinate with Logistics to optimize import, freight, and delivery schedules.
• Monitor tariffs, duties, and HTS classifications affecting cost.
• Track savings, cost avoidance, and supplier performance.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Regulatory teams.

Skills

International sourcing

Supplier negotiations

Competitive bidding

Global logistics

Tariff analysis

Incoterms

Excel skills

SAP / ERP

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, International Business, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Procurement, or related field

Tools

SAP ERP

Job description

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Global Sourcing Specialist-Raw Materials

Global Sourcing US11 Full Time Houston Office, Houston, TX, US

Position Summary

Sterling Specialty Chemicals is seeking an experienced, results-driven Global Sourcing Specialist – Raw Materials to develop and execute international sourcing strategies supporting our specialty chemical manufacturing operations. This position will focus on identifying and qualifying global chemical manufacturers, managing competitive bidding processes, negotiating international supply agreements, and optimizing total landed costs while maintaining product quality and supply reliability. The successful candidate must have strong experience in international chemical sourcing, supplier negotiations, competitive bidding, global logistics, import regulations, and tariff analysis. This individual will be responsible for identifying competitive international supply opportunities, evaluating suppliers across multiple regions, and translating global market advantages into measurable cost savings.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop international suppliers of specialty chemical raw materials, including polymers, monomers, surfactants, solvents, additives, and chemical intermediates.
• Expand Sterling's supplier network across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and other competitive international markets.
• Establish direct relationships with global chemical manufacturers to reduce reliance on distributors and intermediaries.
• Develop strategic sourcing initiatives that improve cost competitiveness, supply diversification, and long-term material availability.
• Identify alternative suppliers and manufacturing sources to mitigate supply disruptions and single-source dependencies.
• Monitor global chemical production capacity, market conditions, and regional supply-demand trends.

Competitive Bidding & Commercial Negotiations

• Develop, manage, and execute formal competitive bidding processes, including Requests for Quotation (RFQs), Requests for Proposal (RFPs), and international supplier tenders.
• Prepare detailed bid packages incorporating technical specifications, annual volume requirements, delivery schedules, logistics requirements, and commercial terms.
• Identify and solicit competitive proposals from qualified international manufacturers and distributors.
• Develop comprehensive bid comparison models evaluating pricing, freight, tariffs, duties, lead times, payment terms, supplier capabilities, and total landed costs.
• Analyze supplier proposals and prepare sourcing recommendations based on total cost, commercial competitiveness, quality, and supply reliability.
• Lead negotiations covering pricing structures, volume commitments, payment terms, Incoterms, freight arrangements, and supply agreements.
• Conduct competitive rebidding and supplier benchmarking to challenge existing pricing and identify additional savings opportunities.
• Negotiate fixed, index-based, and formula-driven chemical pricing structures when appropriate.
• Track and document negotiated savings, cost avoidance, and commercial improvements resulting from sourcing initiatives.

International Logistics & Import Management

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of international transportation and import logistics for chemical raw materials.
• Coordinate with freight forwarders, customs brokers, carriers, and internal Logistics teams to ensure efficient movement of materials from international suppliers to U.S. manufacturing facilities.
• Evaluate ocean freight, containerized shipments, ISO tanks, bulk shipments, port handling, customs clearance, warehousing, and inland transportation.
• Understand and negotiate international shipping terms, including FOB, CIF, CFR, FCA, EXW, and DDP.
• Analyze logistics alternatives to determine the most cost-effective shipping routes, ports of entry, shipment sizes, and transportation methods.
• Evaluate container utilization, shipment consolidation, transit times, demurrage, detention, and other international logistics expenses.
• Coordinate international supplier production schedules, shipping commitments, and delivery timelines to support manufacturing requirements.
• Identify logistics-related cost reduction opportunities while maintaining supply continuity.
• Partner with Supply Chain and Planning teams to manage international lead times, inventory requirements, and delivery risks.
• Evaluate U.S. import tariffs, customs duties, and international trade regulations impacting chemical raw material sourcing.
• Understand Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classifications and their impact on imported chemical products.
• Assess applicable duties, additional tariffs, antidumping and countervailing duties, and country-of-origin requirements.
• Monitor changes in U.S. trade policy, tariff structures, and international trade restrictions that may affect supplier competitiveness.
• Incorporate tariffs, customs fees, duties, and other import-related charges into total landed-cost evaluations.
• Evaluate sourcing alternatives across different countries to identify competitive opportunities and reduce tariff exposure through compliant sourcing strategies.
• Work with customs brokers, Logistics, and appropriate internal teams to ensure accurate import documentation and regulatory compliance.
• Assess the financial impact of tariff changes and recommend alternative sourcing strategies when necessary.
• Maintain awareness of chemical import requirements, including applicable TSCA, REACH, SDS, and other regulatory documentation.
• Monitor international chemical markets, feedstock costs, commodity indices, regional pricing, and global supply-demand conditions.
• Identify regional pricing differences and opportunities to source materials internationally at more competitive total landed costs.
• Develop cost models comparing domestic and international sourcing options.
• Evaluate the impact of foreign exchange rates, tariffs, freight costs, and international market developments on raw material pricing.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction through direct manufacturer sourcing, competitive bidding, alternative suppliers, and contract renegotiations.
• Present sourcing opportunities, cost comparisons, and commercial recommendations to Sourcing & Procurement leadership.
• Track and report measurable cost savings and cost avoidance from global sourcing initiatives.
• Coordinate with Quality, R&D, Manufacturing, and Regulatory teams to qualify international raw material suppliers.
• Ensure suppliers meet Sterling's product specifications, quality standards, and manufacturing requirements.
• Coordinate product sampling, technical evaluations, supplier approvals, and manufacturing trials.
• Evaluate supplier production capabilities, financial stability, quality systems, and delivery performance.
• Develop contingency sourcing strategies to address international supply disruptions, geopolitical risks, logistics delays, and tariff changes.
• Monitor supplier performance and hold suppliers accountable for pricing, product quality, delivery commitments, and contractual requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Procurement Execution

• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Planning, Quality, Finance, Logistics, and Commercial teams to align sourcing strategies with business requirements.
• Support international procurement planning, including supplier lead times, minimum order quantities, transit times, and inventory considerations.
• Coordinate supplier agreements, purchase orders, shipping schedules, and required documentation.
• Maintain accurate sourcing records, supplier evaluations, pricing analyses, and contracts within ERP systems.
• Provide regular reporting on global sourcing initiatives, competitive bidding results, cost savings, supplier developments, and supply risks.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, International Business, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Procurement, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of sourcing and procurement experience, including direct experience sourcing chemical raw materials internationally.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing competitive RFQ, RFP, and supplier bidding processes, including commercial bid evaluations and supplier selection.
• Proven experience negotiating international supplier agreements, pricing, and commercial terms.
• Strong knowledge of global chemical raw material markets, manufacturers, and supply chains.
• Hands-on experience with international logistics, including ocean freight, freight forwarders, customs brokers, import clearance, and inland transportation.
• Working knowledge of U.S. import tariffs, customs duties, HTS classifications, and country-of-origin considerations.
• Experience developing comprehensive landed-cost models that incorporate product costs, freight, duties, tariffs, and logistics expenses.
• Strong understanding of Incoterms and international purchasing requirements.
• Ability to evaluate chemical specifications, technical documentation, and product requirements.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including supplier bid analysis, pricing comparisons, and cost modeling.
• Experience using ERP purchasing systems, preferably SAP.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with international suppliers across multiple countries and time zones.

Preferred Qualifications

• 7–10 years of international chemical sourcing and procurement experience.
• Established relationships with chemical manufacturers in China, India, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
• Demonstrated success executing large-scale international chemical sourcing events and competitive tenders.
• Experience transitioning raw material purchases from domestic suppliers to qualified international manufacturers.
• Experience managing international chemical shipments in ISO tanks, flexitanks, bulk containers, and packaged configurations.
• Familiarity with antidumping and countervailing duties, tariff exclusions, free trade agreements, and trade compliance requirements.
• Experience negotiating ocean freight rates and evaluating international logistics providers.
• Strong understanding of global chemical feedstock pricing, index-based contracts, and international market dynamics.
• Experience supporting multiple chemical manufacturing facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable savings through global supplier development, competitive bidding, and international procurement optimization.
• Global Sourcing Expertise: Ability to identify and develop competitive international chemical supply sources.
• Competitive Bidding: Experience managing structured RFQs, RFPs, supplier tenders, bid comparisons, and supplier selection.
• International Logistics: Strong understanding of ocean freight, import logistics, transportation costs, and international delivery requirements.
• Tariff & Trade Knowledge: Ability to evaluate tariff exposure, import duties, and trade regulations when making sourcing decisions.
• Commercial Negotiation: Strong ability to negotiate directly with global manufacturers and secure competitive supply agreements.
• Total Landed-Cost Analysis: Ability to evaluate the full economics of importing chemical raw materials into the United States.
• Market Intelligence: Knowledge of international chemical markets, regional price differences, and raw material cost drivers.
• Supplier Development: Proven ability to qualify alternative suppliers and establish long-term global manufacturing relationships.
• Results Orientation: Demonstrated success achieving measurable cost savings without compromising product quality or supply reliability.

Measures of Success

Performance will be evaluated based on:

• Documented annual cost savings and cost avoidance generated through international sourcing.
• Successful execution of competitive bidding events and supplier negotiations.
• Development and qualification of new international chemical manufacturers.
• Reduction in total landed raw material costs.
• Identification of tariff optimization and international logistics savings opportunities.
• Increased supplier competitiveness and reduced single-source exposure.
• Improved supplier delivery performance and supply reliability.
• Successful implementation of alternative international raw material sources.
• Quality and accuracy of sourcing recommendations, landed-cost models, and market analyses.

Ideal Candidate

Sterling is seeking a commercially driven, resourceful, and globally experienced sourcing professional with strong knowledge of international chemical manufacturing and supply markets.

The ideal candidate has successfully managed international supplier bidding processes, negotiated directly with chemical producers, evaluated global transportation costs, and understands how tariffs and import regulations impact purchasing economics.

This individual must be capable of independently developing international sourcing opportunities, challenging existing supplier pricing, and presenting comprehensive landed-cost analyses that support sound business decisions.

This is not a traditional purchasing or purchase-order processing position.

We need someone who understands international chemical markets, knows how to execute competitive sourcing events, can navigate global logistics and tariff complexities, and consistently identifies opportunities to reduce raw material costs.

The objective is to strengthen Sterling's global sourcing capabilities, expand direct manufacturer relationships, increase competitive bidding, and deliver sustainable cost savings while maintaining quality and supply security.