Sourcing Specialist I / Procurement Specialist

Aquent; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquent invites an experienced procurement leader to drive strategic sourcing for engineering and construction projects in the energy sector. You will shape sourcing programs, negotiate sophisticated contracts, and cultivate key supplier relationships that support major capital initiatives.

Collaborate across Legal, Finance, Operations, and Engineering to deliver value, manage risk, and optimize procurement performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive procurement or sourcing experience.
• Proven track record negotiating complex service agreements and contracts.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of strategic sourcing strategies for engineering, construction, and professional services.
• Negotiate complex contracts, pricing terms, and risk provisions with suppliers.
• Develop strategic supplier relationships aligned with project objectives.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to translate business needs into procurement solutions.
• Identify and implement cost savings, process improvements, and supplier consolidation opportunities.
• Manage full contract lifecycles including amendments and renewals.
• Provide guidance and ensure timely execution of sourcing activities for large capital projects.
• Analyze spend data, market trends, supplier capabilities, and industry developments.
• Partner with Legal, Finance, Operations, and Engineering to resolve procurement challenges.
• Mentor junior procurement professionals and grow category expertise.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Contract management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field

Job description

Aquent is proud to partner with a prominent organization dedicated to delivering essential services within the energy sector. This forward-thinking company is committed to innovation, operational excellence, and strategic growth, consistently seeking to optimize its processes and enhance its service delivery. Join a team that values strategic partnerships and impactful contributions, where your expertise will directly influence critical infrastructure and operational efficiency.

Are you ready to make a significant impact by shaping strategic procurement initiatives for vital engineering and construction projects? We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced professional to lead complex sourcing activities, drive value, and foster key supplier relationships. In this dynamic role, you will be instrumental in ensuring the seamless execution of large-scale capital projects and operational objectives, directly contributing to the company’s success and resilience.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the development and execution of strategic sourcing strategies and competitive procurement events for engineering, construction, and professional service categories.
• Negotiate complex contracts, pricing, commercial terms, and risk provisions with suppliers to secure optimal outcomes.
• Develop and nurture strategic supplier relationships, aligning them with operational and capital project objectives.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to deeply understand business requirements and craft procurement solutions that align with company goals.
• Proactively identify and implement opportunities for cost savings, process improvements, supplier consolidation, and risk reduction.
• Manage the full contract lifecycle, including amendments, renewals, funding strategies, and performance monitoring.
• Provide expert procurement guidance and ensure the timely execution of sourcing activities for large capital projects.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of spend data, market trends, supplier capabilities, and industry developments to inform and refine procurement strategies.
• Partner with Legal, Finance, Operations, Engineering, and other internal teams to resolve complex procurement challenges.
• Mentor junior procurement professionals, sharing your category expertise and contributing to organizational growth.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in negotiating complex service agreements and commercial contracts.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with a proven ability to influence decisions and drive results across multiple functional teams.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience supporting capital projects or working within utility, industrial, infrastructure, engineering, or construction environments.