Sourcing Specialist

Sterling Specialty Chemicals, LLC; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Specialty Chemicals, LLC is seeking an experienced Sourcing Specialist to drive procurement of raw materials for chemical manufacturing. You will identify suppliers, negotiate terms, and manage global sourcing activities to ensure quality, cost efficiency, and supply reliability.

The role requires 5+ years in chemical sourcing, familiarity with international procurement, and strong supplier relationship skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of sourcing or procurement experience, with direct experience purchasing raw materials for chemical manufacturing.
• Experience sourcing chemicals and raw materials from international suppliers.
• Strong understanding of specialty chemicals, polymers, surfactants, solvents, additives, or other chemical raw materials.
• Proven experience negotiating supplier agreements, pricing, and commercial terms.
• Working knowledge of international purchasing, import/export procedures, Incoterms, tariffs, and global logistics.

Responsibilities

• Source and purchase raw materials used in specialty chemical manufacturing, including polymers, surfactants, solvents, additives, and other chemical ingredients.
• Identify, evaluate, and develop domestic and international suppliers to ensure competitive pricing, quality, and supply reliability.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, payment terms, lead times, and supply agreements.
• Manage international sourcing activities, including import requirements, customs documentation, tariffs, duties, and international shipping terms (Incoterms).
• Monitor raw material markets, pricing trends, availability, and global supply chain conditions to identify cost-saving opportunities and potential risks.
• Partner with Manufacturing, R&D, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to ensure raw materials meet technical specifications and production requirements.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships while holding vendors accountable for quality, delivery, and performance.
• Identify opportunities to reduce raw material costs through strategic sourcing, supplier consolidation, alternative materials, and competitive bidding.
• Manage purchase orders, delivery schedules, and supplier communications to minimize production disruptions.
• Support supplier qualification and approval processes in coordination with Quality and technical teams.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, contracts, and sourcing documentation.
• Develop contingency sourcing strategies to reduce supply chain risks and dependence on single-source suppliers.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Sourcing Specialist to support the procurement of raw materials used in our chemical manufacturing operations. This position will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, negotiating with, and managing domestic and international suppliers to ensure a reliable, cost-effective supply of quality raw materials.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in chemical raw material sourcing, international procurement, supplier negotiations, and global supply chain management. This individual must understand chemical products and manufacturing requirements and be comfortable working with suppliers across multiple countries.

Key Responsibilities

• Source and purchase raw materials used in specialty chemical manufacturing, including polymers, surfactants, solvents, additives, and other chemical ingredients.
• Identify, evaluate, and develop domestic and international suppliers to ensure competitive pricing, quality, and supply reliability.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, payment terms, lead times, and supply agreements.
• Manage international sourcing activities, including import requirements, customs documentation, tariffs, duties, and international shipping terms (Incoterms).
• Monitor raw material markets, pricing trends, availability, and global supply chain conditions to identify cost-saving opportunities and potential risks.
• Partner with Manufacturing, R&D, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to ensure raw materials meet technical specifications and production requirements.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships while holding vendors accountable for quality, delivery, and performance.
• Identify opportunities to reduce raw material costs through strategic sourcing, supplier consolidation, alternative materials, and competitive bidding.
• Manage purchase orders, delivery schedules, and supplier communications to minimize production disruptions.
• Support supplier qualification and approval processes in coordination with Quality and technical teams.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, contracts, and sourcing documentation.
• Develop contingency sourcing strategies to reduce supply chain risks and dependence on single-source suppliers.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of sourcing or procurement experience, with direct experience purchasing raw materials for chemical manufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience sourcing chemicals and raw materials from international suppliers.
• Strong understanding of specialty chemicals, polymers, surfactants, solvents, additives, or other chemical raw materials.
• Proven experience negotiating supplier agreements, pricing, and commercial terms.
• Working knowledge of international purchasing, import/export procedures, Incoterms, tariffs, and global logistics.
• Ability to understand chemical specifications, technical data sheets, and material requirements.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with ERP purchasing systems and Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to work effectively with suppliers, manufacturing teams, and technical personnel.

Preferred:

• 7–10 years of chemical raw material sourcing and procurement experience.
• Experience sourcing materials from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
• Established relationships with domestic and international chemical manufacturers and distributors.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP systems.
• Familiarity with chemical regulatory requirements, including REACH, TSCA, and SDS documentation.
• Experience supporting multiple chemical manufacturing facilities.
• Demonstrated success in achieving measurable cost savings and improving supplier performance.

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a proactive, resourceful Sourcing Specialist who knows the chemical raw materials market and understands the importance of purchasing the right materials at the right price.

This individual must be comfortable negotiating with international suppliers, identifying alternative sources, managing supply risks, and working closely with manufacturing and technical teams.

The successful candidate will bring strong commercial judgment, chemical industry knowledge, and the ability to build supplier relationships that support our manufacturing operations.

This is more than a purchasing role. We need someone who understands chemicals, knows how to navigate global markets, and can deliver measurable savings without compromising quality or supply reliability.