Strategic Sourcing Buyer

TPC Group; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career development opportunities

Health and wellness programs

Job summary

A leading procurement organization based in Houston is seeking a Procurement Buyer to drive sourcing strategies and manage supplier relationships. The successful candidate will require strong analytical and negotiation skills, along with a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or significant experience in supply chain management. This role presents the opportunity to impact cost leadership and operational reliability directly, contributing to the long-term success of the organization. Applicants must be eligible to work for any US employer without sponsorship.

Qualifications

• 3–7 years of senior experience in sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management.
• Demonstrated success in supplier negotiations and cost analysis.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with operational objectives.
• Manage sourcing events ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Build and maintain effective supplier relationships to promote reliability.

Skills

Analytical skills

Collaboration skills

Negotiation skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or Engineering

8–10 years of relevant supply chain experience in lieu of a degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Oracle

SAP

Job description

Job Summary

The Procurement Buyer supports TPC Group’s safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations by sourcing and procuring materials and services that deliver the best total value to the organization. Reporting to a Category Manager, this role bridges day‑to‑day tactical execution with strategic influence — managing sourcing events, negotiating contracts, and building supplier relationships that contribute to TPC’s long‑term success.

The successful candidate will combine strong analytical capability, sound business judgment, and the ability to collaborate across functions in a fast‑paced, changing environment. This position requires initiative, creativity, integrity, and a focus on performance, ensuring procurement decisions advance both operational and strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

Sourcing and Category Strategy Execution

• Partner with Category and Senior Category Managers to develop and execute sourcing strategies that align with operational, financial, and EHSS objectives.
• Prepare and manage sourcing events (RFPs, RFQs, tenders), ensuring accuracy, transparency, and compliance with TPC standards.
• Analyze supplier bids, evaluate commercial proposals, and make data‑driven recommendations that deliver long‑term value.
• Lead commercial negotiations and contract reviews, maintaining professionalism and ethical conduct throughout the process.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, procedures, and Sarbanes‑Oxley (SOX) requirements.

Supplier and Contract Management

• Build and maintain effective supplier relationships that promote reliability, cost competitiveness, and innovation.
• Support supplier performance evaluations and risk management activities, including qualification, audits, and ISNetworld compliance.
• Manage contracts through their full lifecycle, ensuring obligations are met and performance metrics are achieved.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, supplier consolidation, and process improvement.

Analytical and Financial Insight

• Analyze spend data and cost drivers to identify sourcing opportunities and drive category performance improvements.
• Develop and maintain cost models, spend reports, and total cost of ownership analyses to support sourcing recommendations.
• Track and report savings realization, contract compliance, and supplier performance metrics.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with operations, maintenance, capital, turnaround, EHSS, and others to align procurement strategies with business priorities.
• Serve as a trusted partner to internal stakeholders, ensuring clarity of requirements and consistent & timely follow‑through.
• Anticipate challenges and proactively address issues before they impact operations.
• Participate in cross‑functional teams to develop sourcing strategies and implement supplier solutions.

Continuous Improvement and Adaptability

• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, quality, and cost effectiveness.
• Leverage technology, data, and market insights to optimize procurement activities.
• Remain flexible and responsive to changing priorities, market dynamics, and business conditions.
• Apply structured problem‑solving and continuous improvement methods to achieve sustainable results.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or Engineering; or 8–10 years of relevant supply chain experience in lieu of a degree.
• Experience: 3–7 years of progressively responsible experience in sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management.
• Demonstrated success in supplier negotiations, contract redlining, contract management, and cost analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills; able to interpret complex data and develop actionable insights.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to work effectively across functions and levels of the organization.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with Oracle, SAP, or other ERP systems, and experience with contract management systems.

Results‑driven and self‑motivated; demonstrates initiative, creativity, and a strong sense of ownership while maintaining a proactive, customer‑focused approach.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPIM, or Lean Six Sigma.
• Experience in manufacturing, petrochemical, oil/gas, or industrial sectors.
• Experience in engineering, operations, inventory management, and customer service roles.
• Familiarity with supplier compliance and risk management tools such as ISNetworld.
• Proficiency in the use of artificial intelligence, ERP and BI tools to optimize processes.
• Working knowledge of category management, total cost of ownership, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Position Summary

The Procurement Buyer role is designed for an experienced, results‑driven Procurement professional capable of independently managing complex sourcing activities while supporting broader category strategies. This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to cost leadership, supplier excellence, and operational reliability — making it a key enabler of TPC Group’s long‑term success.

All applicants must be eligible to work for any US employer continually without any company sponsorship.