Procurement Specialist

Sterling Specialty Chemicals US LLC•Houston, TX

18d

About The Position

Sterling Specialty Chemicals is seeking a detail-oriented, proactive, and results-driven Procurement Specialist to support purchasing and supply chain operations across its chemical manufacturing facilities. The role executes purchase orders, coordinates supplier deliveries, resolves purchasing discrepancies, and ensures timely and cost-effective procurement of materials and services needed for manufacturing operations. The ideal candidate has experience in chemical manufacturing, industrial procurement, ERP systems (preferably SAP), and supplier management, and can work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where material availability, cost control, and operational continuity are critical.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Logistics, Operations Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience is considered.
3–5 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, supply chain, or materials management, preferably in chemical manufacturing or industrial operations.
Experience working with ERP systems; SAP experience is strongly preferred.
Understanding of purchase order management, inventory control, supplier coordination, and procurement processes.
Experience resolving purchase order, goods receipt, and invoice discrepancies.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis, reporting, and spreadsheet management.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments and manufacturing locations.

Nice To Haves

Experience procuring chemical raw materials, solvents, surfactants, additives, or other industrial chemicals.
Familiarity with bulk chemical transportation, including tank trucks, railcars, and packaged materials.
Experience managing supplier relationships.
Understanding of domestic and international purchasing processes, freight coordination, and Incoterms.
Experience with SAP purchasing functions, Outline Agreements, goods receipts, and invoice reconciliation.
Familiarity with chemical product documentation, including Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).
Experience supporting cost-reduction initiatives, supplier performance reporting, and purchasing process improvements.
APICS/ASCM, CPSM, or other supply chain certifications are a plus.

Responsibilities

Execute daily procurement activities for raw materials, chemicals, packaging, and other goods and services.
Process and maintain purchase requisitions and purchase orders in SAP, managing orders from issuance through delivery, goods receipt, and invoice reconciliation.
Ensure purchase orders reflect negotiated pricing, quantities, delivery schedules, and contractual terms; monitor supplier acknowledgments and delivery commitments.
Maintain and update Outline Agreements, purchasing information records, and supplier master data.
Identify opportunities to consolidate purchases, improve purchasing efficiency, and reduce administrative costs.
Maintain supplier relationships and communicate about order confirmations, shipment status, and delivery expectations.
Identify and escalate potential supply disruptions, late shipments, shortages, and supplier performance concerns; coordinate deliveries with suppliers and plant personnel.
Assist with resolving supplier issues involving pricing, quantities, product quality, and delivery discrepancies.
Support supplier performance evaluations and assist the Sourcing team with quotations, competitive bidding, and commercial negotiations as needed.
Maintain accurate purchasing records and resolve discrepancies among purchase orders, goods receipts, and supplier invoices, including three-way matching.
Coordinate with Accounts Payable, Finance, and plant personnel to resolve blocked invoices, pricing discrepancies, and outstanding receipts.
Ensure proper SAP transaction processing and adherence to procurement procedures; support Outline Agreement maintenance and automated purchasing processes.
Prepare purchasing reports, open PO reports, supplier delivery updates, and inventory-related analyses; identify opportunities to improve SAP data accuracy and purchasing workflows.
Support cost-saving initiatives, monitor purchase price variances, and ensure invoices align with agreed pricing.
Identify opportunities to improve payment terms, order quantities, freight costs, and purchasing practices; support budgeting, spend analysis, and cost reporting.
Collaborate with Manufacturing, Production Planning, Logistics, Quality, Finance, and Accounts Payable to support efficient procurement operations.
Communicate material availability, delivery delays, and supply risks to stakeholders; participate in procurement reviews and S&OP activities as needed.
Support operational requirements across multiple manufacturing facilities and assist with continuous improvement initiatives focused on purchasing efficiency and supply chain reliability.