Sr Strategic Sourcing Spec

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist – MRO, Facilities Management, PPE, Industrial Gases & Energy is responsible for establishing and driving procurement strategies across critical indirect manufacturing and site operations categories. This role partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, EHS, Reliability, Facilities, Supply Chain, Finance, and Site Leadership to align sourcing initiatives with the Annual Operating Plan and Strategic Plan.

You will support and execute category strategies to optimize total cost of ownership, improve working capital, enhance supplier performance, reduce operational risk, and ensure continuity of supply for critical goods and services. The role requires managing multiple sourcing initiatives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while ensuring compliance with company policies, safety requirements, and regulatory obligations.

The role is accountable for delivering cost savings, productivity improvements, working capital objectives, supplier performance, risk mitigation, and supply continuity across assigned categories.

Strategy & Planning

• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with Annual Operating Plans and long-term business objectives.

• Drive sourcing strategies that support business growth, innovation, and new program introductions.

Category Management (Manufacturing & Site Operations)

• MRO Materials and Supplies

• Maintenance, Repair & Turnaround Services

Supplier Management

• Support supplier selection, RFIs, RFQs, commercial negotiations, contract execution, and sourcing decisions for assigned categories.

• Build strong relationships with key supplier leadership teams supporting site operations and manufacturing requirements.

Cost & Working Capital Optimization

• Deliver annual cost savings, cost avoidance, productivity improvements, and working capital objectives for assigned categories.

• Drive value engineering, specification optimization, consumption reduction, and standardization initiatives across assigned categories.

Risk Management & Supply Resilience

• Assess and mitigate supplier, operational, financial, safety, environmental, and continuity risks across assigned categories.

• Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies to minimize supply disruption.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Influence stakeholders to adopt enterprise sourcing strategies, preferred suppliers, and procurement best practices.

• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Reliability, EHS, Facilities, Planning, Quality, Finance, and Supply Chain teams.

Operations & Compliance

• Support procurement escalations, reporting, and reconciliation activities.

• Ensure sourcing activities comply with company procurement policies, safety standards, environmental requirements, import/export regulations, and other applicable regulatory requirements.

You Must Have 

• Bachelor’s Degree.

• 5+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, or supplier management.

• Experience sourcing categories such as MRO, maintenance services, contractor services, facilities management, industrial gases, utilities, PPE, or manufacturing support services.

• Experience negotiating Statements of Work (SOWs), Master Service Agreements (MSAs), and professional services contracts.

• English proficient.

• Experience supporting manufacturing, chemical processing, industrial operations, or regulated environments.

• Understanding of maintenance, reliability, facilities, utility, and operational service requirements.

• Experience negotiating supply agreements, service agreements, maintenance contracts, and site service contracts.

• Experience working in cross-functional or site-based teams.

• Project management experience.

• Contract management experience.

• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP), eSourcing tools, and procurement platforms.

We Value

• Knowledge of MRO supply markets, industrial services, facilities management, industrial gases, energy procurement, and PPE categories.

• Experience working with manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, facilities, or plant operations teams.

• Familiarity with maintenance and reliability principles, preventive maintenance programs, and site operations requirements.

• Experience supporting supplier performance improvement and operational reliability initiatives.

• Familiarity with commodity pricing, energy markets, utility contracts, and industrial service agreements.

• Knowledge of industrial safety standards, contractor management, and EHS requirements.

• Experience supporting inventory optimization, VMI, and working capital improvement initiatives.

• Understanding of industrial supply markets, commodity drivers, and manufacturing operations.

• Experience with supplier safety programs and contractor management requirements.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Ability to manage multiple sourcing projects simultaneously in a dynamic environment.

• Experience using spend analytics, reporting, and business intelligence tools.

• Experience supporting supplier risk management and business continuity initiatives.

• Professional certifications (e.g., CPSM, PMP, CSCP, Six Sigma).

• Strong business and financial acumen.

• Experience leading supplier negotiations and managing complex contracts.

• Familiarity with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.

• Master’s Degree (MBA or related field preferred).