Senior Buyer – Logistics Procurement

Job Summary :

Leads strategic sourcing initiatives and procurement category management in U.S. transportation and logistics for assigned categories, which may include some or all of the following : Rail, Railcar Leases, Bulk Truck, Bulk Terminals, Barge.

Job Responsibilities :

Serve as company expert in the assigned logistics categories. Leverage in-depth understanding of transportation markets within the area of procurement responsibility, including but not limited to market structure, global and national factors driving the supply / demand balance, main players, short- and long-term market trends, and technology developments.

Provide periodic market updates to leadership.

Work cross functionally with Supply Chain and Operations to understand the transportation and logistics requirements.

Develop Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) in compliance with legal, technical, SHE and supply chain requirements, to competitively source transportation and other logistics services.

Negotiate, implement, and manage contracts, ensuring adherence to all company policies, directives, and sustainability targets related to purchases from outside vendors.

Understand vendor capabilities, identify opportunities for alternative sources and arrangements, and make recommendations to reduce cost and risk, and optimize working capital.

Serve as primary point of contact to develop and manage relationships with key carriers / service providers to drive continuous improvement.

Establish, collect and analyze metrics to track vendor performance, and conduct periodic performance and business review meetings with key service providers.

Track and report monthly realized cost savings and cost avoidance from procurement initiatives and actions.

Serve as an escalation point for correcting systemic vendor performance issues as well as incidental urgent issues within the managed logistics spend categories.

Work to streamline invoice audit and pay process. Address any systemic invoicing issues.

Support development of new business opportunities by providing the business with quotes, freight cost estimates and reliable logistics solutions for customers, inbound raw materials and special projects.

Participate in logistics budget development and forecasting.

Qualifications :

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Economics or related field and / or combination of education and related experience.

Minimum 5 years’ experience in Logistics or Purchasing is required.

Analytical skills : Will be working with multiple vendors to determine best options and will need to evaluate and compare multiple pricing components, service elements, and economic factors.

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications including PowerPoint, Word, Excel.

Knowledge of the chemicals industry, or related industrial manufacturing environment, and associated modes of transportation.

Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills (written and verbal).

Ability to travel as required to vendors, other sites, etc.

Excellent skills in : problem solving, facilitation, negotiation, multi-tasking, project management.

Strong advocate for safety, driving a safety culture in a positive manner.

Must maintain high ethical standards.

Ability to work collaboratively and demonstrate effective listening skills.

Attention to detail will be critical to making sure all issues are addressed effectively.

Preferred Qualifications :

Knowledge and experience utilizing SAP and / or Ariba.

Experience in barge and / or packaged truck modes of transportation.

Experience in both logistics operations and procurement of freight rates.