Director Indirect Procurement / MRO

Oxea GmbH•Houston, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director Indirect Procurement / MRO is responsible for managing and optimizing the procurement of Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) supplies and services across three key areas: Maintenance/Repair/TA/Contractors, Operations/Lab/Safety/Environmental, and CAPEX/Projects. This role requires strategic leadership, a focus on cost control, sustainability, and continuous process improvement. The Director Indirect Procurement / MRO will lead a team of buyers, drive measurable EBITDA improvements, and implement strategies that enhance supplier relationships, inventory management, and overall procurement efficiency. The position will act in accordance with the Group’s Mission, Vision, Values & Strategies, as well as policies, guidelines and international standards, supported by an IT Technology platform, HSE standards.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Finance, Business or related field required
7 - 10+ years of progressive procurement experience
Relevant experience as a professional purchasing manager who has held a highly professional procurement role acquiring MRO and Services in the chemical industry.
Deep understanding of tender law and tender procedures.
Working knowledge of Microsoft, Excel, Power Point, Word and ERP (SAP) systems.
Experience leading a team.
Strong leadership, negotiation, and contract management skills.
Experience leading remote teams and stakeholders.
Expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, and category management.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Proficiency in procurement software, ERP systems (SAP), and advanced Excel skills.
Ability to develop and implement KPIs and dashboards for performance tracking.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across functions.

Nice To Haves

MBA strongly preferred
Certified Purchasing Manager (CMP) certification strongly preferred
Experience working in international markets is an added advantage.

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of buyers, fostering a high-performance culture focused on strategic sourcing and procurement excellence.
Set clear objectives and performance metrics for the team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
Develop and Execute a MRO procurement long term strategy.
Implement category management strategies and MRO contracts that align with company objectives.
Negotiate and implement Trade Working Capital (TWC) initiatives.
Benchmark sustainability programs with MRO suppliers and gather data to support their sustainability initiatives.
Integrate sustainability considerations into the procurement process, aligning with the company’s environmental goals.
Drive cost control initiatives with a measurable contribution towards EBITDA improvement.
Identify and record cost avoidance successes with a financial impact, ensuring continuous value creation.
Present quarterly updates on improvement initiatives, demonstrating progress and financial impact.
Influence plant users and suppliers to achieve optimal inventory management, reducing excess stock while ensuring availability.
Implement initiatives for inventory optimization across all MRO categories, balancing cost and operational efficiency.
Develop and implement tools for order placement and tracking improvement, enhancing procurement transparency and efficiency.
Develop and implement KPIs for on-time delivery of ordered items, driving supplier performance.
Implement agile dashboards for decision-making, providing real-time insights into procurement activities.
Lead procurement process improvement initiatives, streamlining workflows and reducing cycle times.
Develop and implement a comprehensive category management strategy for MRO procurement, ensuring alignment with business needs.
Implement strategies for MRO contracts that ensure favorable terms, risk mitigation, and long-term value.
Collaborate with maintenance, engineering, operations, finance, and other departments to ensure alignment on MRO procurement needs and strategies.
Provide guidance and training to internal stakeholders on procurement best practices and policy adherence.