Procurement Specialist - Houston, TX

Outlast•Houston, TX

19h•Onsite

About The Position

Outlast is disrupting the bulk recyclables industry, a ~$1 trillion market that is largely a technological desert. Our platform transforms recyclables trade by enabling suppliers and buyers to safely and effortlessly transact materials. We also provide global logistics, financing, and quality control. We are focused on optimizing the customer experience and promoting recycling, which has significant environmental benefits. Outlast is poised for explosive growth, having completed several funding rounds and secured contracts that can scale to hundreds of millions in revenue. We are looking for a Procurement Specialist to own scrap aluminum purchasing. This is a hands-on buying role where you will be responsible for negotiating pricing and terms, placing orders, and meeting procurement targets. You will report directly to the VP of Finance & Business Operations and collaborate with operations, sales, and technology teams. This is a foundational role where you will establish new supplier relationships and implement basic procurement processes. Prior experience in the scrap metal industry is not required, as the market knowledge can be taught; however, hustle, curiosity, and the ability to figure things out independently are essential.

Requirements

You've bought things before in any industry.
You have personally sourced goods or materials, negotiated with suppliers, and placed orders.
You are a buyer, not an analyst.
You can negotiate and are comfortable discussing price, terms, and delivery with suppliers.
You can think on your feet and hold firm when needed.
You are a self-starter and do not wait for instructions.
You are comfortable with ambiguity as processes are being built.
You learn fast and can get up to speed quickly through direct engagement.
You have energy and bring positive momentum to every interaction.

Nice To Haves

Experience with physical goods or commodity procurement (metals, chemicals, agricultural products, manufacturing inputs)
Background in the scrap metal, recycling, or secondary materials industry
Experience in a startup or early-stage company
Comfort with AI tools, data analysis, or workflow automation
Experience in markets with volatile or frequently changing prices

Responsibilities

Buy scrap aluminum: Source, negotiate, and purchase material at volumes and pricing that meet our targets.
Build supplier relationships: Identify, qualify, and onboard new suppliers, and grow our sourcing network.
Learn the market fast: Become fluent in aluminum alloy grades, ISRI scrap specifications, pricing dynamics, and the supplier landscape.
Set up procurement workflows: Establish simple, repeatable processes for supplier communication, order tracking, pricing records, and reporting.
Integrate with our platform and financial systems.
Coordinate across the team: Work with sales on material specs and timing, operations on logistics and quality, and finance on pricing and margins.
Use technology to work smarter: Leverage AI tools, data, and automation to be more productive.