Strategic Procurement Lead

Koch Ag & Energy Solutions (KAES) is seeking a Strategic Procurement Lead to drive strategic sourcing and procurement planning across our North American operations. This role is based in Wichita, KS and is a key part of our Procurement organization. In this role, you will partner closely with site, project, and operations teams to shape procurement strategies early in the project lifecycle, especially to support capital projects across our sites. You will proactively identify upcoming needs, influence sourcing decisions, and ensure the business is positioned to execute work efficiently and competitively. This is not a transactional buying role. As a Strategic Procurement Lead, you will lead sourcing strategy, challenge existing approaches, and create value by aligning suppliers, timelines, and commercial decisions to optimize total cost of ownership and reduce construction and operation risk. Our Team This position is located at our headquarters in Wichita, KS and requires approximately 25% travel to production facilities across the U.S. and Canada. What You Will Do Partner with site and project teams early in the planning phase to define procurement strategies for operational and capital needs Lead sourcing strategy development, including market engagement, bid approach, supplier selection, and negotiation strategy Proactively identify upcoming work and align suppliers, capacity, and timelines to support project success Serve as a strategic advisor to stakeholders, providing recommendations that balance cost, risk, and schedule Negotiate pricing and commercial terms, leveraging market conditions and project timelines to create value Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and internal partners to drive performance and continuous improvement Challenge existing approaches and leverage tools (Ariba, Track, Power BI, etc.) to improve procurement effectiveness and efficiency Support procurement capability across sites through reporting, process discipline, and coaching procurement-facing teammates Who You Are (Basic Qualifications) Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or a related field OR equivalent experience Experience leading or influencing procurement strategy, sourcing initiatives, or operational improvement efforts Experience with supplier negotiations, contract execution, and commercial decision-making Experience analyzing data and solving problems to drive decision-making Experience collaborating across functions and influencing stakeholders in a dynamic environment What Will Put You Ahead Experience supporting capital, maintenance, or industrial project procurement Experience developing and executing sourcing strategies (beyond transactional purchasing) Experience building strategic supplier partnerships and managing performance Experience working in manufacturing, industrial, or plant-based environments Advanced data analysis skills and experience leveraging insights to drive business results This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter. Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here , aquí , or tu ). #J-18808-Ljbffr