Senior Purchasing Specialist

KBR•Newark, DE

21h

About The Position

KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) is seeking an experienced Senior Purchasing Specialist to provide procurement execution support for a major pharmaceutical capital project. The position serves as the primary commercial interface for assigned equipment, materials, and service packages, managing cradle-to-grave procurement activities including sourcing, bid management, supplier negotiations, contract administration, supplier performance management, and procurement governance. The Senior Purchasing Specialist works closely with Engineering, Project Management, Construction, Quality, Supply Chain, and supplier partners to ensure procurement supports project safety, quality, schedule, cost, and operational objectives. The role may require domestic and occasional international travel, up to 20%, for supplier meetings, project activities, inspections, and procurement execution.

Requirements

Minimum 6 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management.
Demonstrated experience managing sourcing events, bid evaluations, supplier negotiations, contract awards, and commercial administration activities.
Experience supporting EPC, EPCM, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, manufacturing, refining, LNG, petrochemical, chemical, or similar industrial capital projects.
Experience working in schedule-driven project environments and coordinating cross-functional project stakeholders.
Strong contract negotiation, commercial management, supplier management, and communication skills.
Strong organizational, analytical, and stakeholder management capabilities.
Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced project environment.
Ability to travel up to 20% as required; domestic and occasional international travel may be required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related discipline is preferred.
Experience supporting global procurement organizations and international project execution.
Experience supporting lump-sum project procurement environments.
Experience with major equipment commodities, including static equipment, rotating equipment, instrumentation, electrical equipment, and piping commodities.
Experience utilizing e-Procurement, e-Bidding, and strategic sourcing platforms.
CPSM, CPSD, or equivalent professional procurement certification preferred.
Experience supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, EPC, or EPCM project environments.

Responsibilities

Execute cradle-to-grave procurement activities, including sourcing, bid solicitation, commercial evaluation, supplier selection, contract award, administration, and change management.
Manage procurement of major equipment, materials, and services in support of project execution objectives and schedules.
Support development and implementation of procurement execution plans aligned with project requirements.
Lead commercial negotiations involving pricing, contract terms, delivery schedules, scope changes, and claims resolution.
Coordinate sourcing events, supplier evaluations, bid reviews, commercial recommendations, and contract award activities.
Administer purchase orders and contracts, including change management, issue resolution, and supplier communications.
Monitor supplier performance related to quality, schedule, delivery, commercial compliance, and contractual obligations.
Support procurement risk identification, mitigation planning, and supply chain contingency activities.
Drive delivery of assigned equipment, materials, and services to support project schedules and milestones.
Coordinate with engineering, project management, construction, quality, logistics, and project controls teams to support integrated project execution.
Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships that support project and organizational objectives.
Support procurement reporting, governance requirements, cost management, forecasting, and performance tracking activities.
Identify opportunities for cost savings, process improvements, and procurement optimization.
Ensure compliance with company procurement procedures, quality requirements, ethical sourcing standards, and project governance processes.
Support procurement closeout activities and documentation requirements.