Purchasing Specialist

KBR•Houston, TX

About The Position

KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) provides holistic and value-added solutions across the entire asset life cycle. These include world-class licensed process technologies, differentiated advisory services, deep technical domain expertise, energy transition solutions, high-end design capabilities, and smart solutions to optimize planned and operating assets. KBR is seeking a Purchasing Specialist to support large EPC projects by managing the procurement of goods and services under direct supervision. This role is responsible for negotiating supplier terms, securing cost efficiencies, resolving delivery or quality issues, and coordinating closely with operations, maintenance, warehouse, and engineering teams to ensure the timely and efficient flow of materials.

Requirements

Completion of an 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 key industries, such as Refining, LNG, petrochemical, chemical, etc.
Experience in purchasing including bid, evaluate, award cycle, execution of agreements, execution of changes, price and schedule negotiations, and commercial strategy a plus.
Proven Track Record in cost reduction programs
Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills in order to flow goals and directives and effectively communicate commercial solutions and concepts to procurement personnel and non-procurement personnel
Ability to work in a complex schedule driven work environment
Strong analytical skills
Proficiency in MS office products
Ability to learn new software quickly

Nice To Haves

Ability to speak Mandarin a plus.
Experience in Lumpsum Procurement environments is preferred.
Experience with international project locations is preferred.

Responsibilities

Under general direction, executes and supervises cradle to grave purchasing activities (including bid, evaluate, award cycle, execution of agreements, execution of changes, price and schedule negotiations) for a specific commodity group or Project.
Negotiates favorable terms, volume discounts and long-term contracts with suppliers for the procurement of goods, services and supplies.
Drive cost reduction initiatives for a specific Project or Category.
Understand, track, and forecast the key cost drivers and market factors for assigned Category group.
Assist in developing a Category specific sourcing strategies to support corporate and divisional objectives, providing the company competitive advantage in the areas of materials, supplies, and services and ensure the alignment with Engineering.
Identify corrective actions and measures in case of quality or schedule issues with suppliers.
Works closely with Engineering and the project management teams
Assures that problems are reported timely to the projects and senior procurement management.
Locate, analyze, and develop a consolidated supplier base to meet current and future Project needs.
Create and maintain mutually beneficial long-term partnerships with suppliers to foster feedback and continuous improvement.
Provide input to drive continuous improvement in all aspects of the procurement process, procedures and tools
Conducts the orderly closeout of Procurement operations, including settlement of claims and back-charges, and resolving punch list items assigned to Procurement
Participates in important negotiations and claim negotiations for their scope of procurement.