Purchasing Specialist

KBR•Houston, TX

About The Position

KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions is seeking a Purchasing Specialist to support large EPC projects by managing procurement of goods and services under general direction. The role oversees cradle-to-grave purchasing activities for a specific commodity group or project, including bidding, evaluation, awards, agreement execution, changes, and price and schedule negotiations. The specialist negotiates supplier terms, pursues cost efficiencies, addresses supplier quality and schedule issues, and coordinates with Engineering, project management, operations, maintenance, and warehouse teams to ensure materials flow efficiently and on time. The position also supports category sourcing strategies, cost reduction initiatives, supplier-base development, and long-term supplier partnerships. It contributes to procurement process improvements and completes procurement closeout activities, including claims, back-charges, and assigned punch-list items. The role participates in significant negotiations and claim negotiations within its procurement scope.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree, preferably in Supply Chain Management or Business, and/or 3+ years of Procurement and Supply Chain Management experience with a global EPC company executing contracts in industries such as Refining, LNG, petrochemical, or chemical.
Proven track record in cost-reduction programs.
Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills to communicate goals, directives, commercial solutions, and concepts to procurement and non-procurement personnel.
Ability to work in a complex, schedule-driven work environment.
Strong analytical skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office products.
Ability to learn new software quickly.

Nice To Haves

Experience in purchasing, including bid, evaluation, award, agreement execution, changes, price and schedule negotiations, and commercial strategy.
Ability to speak Mandarin.
Experience in lump-sum procurement environments.
Experience with international project locations.

Responsibilities

Execute and supervise cradle-to-grave purchasing activities for a commodity group or project, including bid, evaluation, award, agreement execution, changes, and price and schedule negotiations.
Negotiate favorable supplier terms, volume discounts, and long-term contracts for goods, services, and supplies.
Drive cost-reduction initiatives for a project or category.
Understand, track, and forecast key cost drivers and market factors for assigned categories.
Assist in developing category-specific sourcing strategies aligned with corporate and divisional objectives and Engineering requirements.
Identify corrective actions and measures for supplier quality or schedule issues.
Work closely with Engineering and project management teams.
Report problems promptly to projects and senior procurement management.
Locate, analyze, and develop a consolidated supplier base to meet current and future project needs.
Build mutually beneficial long-term supplier partnerships to encourage feedback and continuous improvement.
Provide input to continuous improvement of procurement processes, procedures, and tools.
Conduct orderly procurement closeout, including settlement of claims and back-charges and resolution of assigned punch-list items.
Participate in important negotiations and claim negotiations within the assigned procurement scope.