Procurement & Materials Specialist

The Procurement & Materials Specialist is responsible for the purchasing and warehousing activities and processes, including but not limited to leading inventory management initiatives, and supporting Operations by providing procurement and inventory system support. This position is responsible for creating and leading strategic initiatives that drive continuous improvement within purchasing, warehousing, and inventory management. As a member of the plant management team, the Procurement & Materials Specialist provides guidance and strategic input to support departmental business objectives and reports directly to the Plant Managers of the New Mexico plants. Key Responsibilities Procurement & Contract Management Manage purchasing and warehousing activities and processes. Initiate, develop, negotiate, and manage goods and services agreements. Ensure compliance with purchasing agreements, company policies, and procedures. Identify and lead process improvement initiatives related to purchasing, contract management, supplier selection, sourcing of services, inventory parts, consumables, raw materials, fuels, and carrier requirements. Collaborate with parent companies to identify competitive suppliers and leverage existing agreements whenever appropriate. Apply competitive bidding processes for procuring goods and services. Negotiate supply and service agreements that best meet operational requirements regarding price, quality, service, and availability. Ensure all competitive bidding and contract development activities are conducted ethically and in compliance with legal requirements. Develop and implement purchasing policies, procedures, processes, and strategic plans where required. Drive modernization initiatives and establish more efficient procurement processes. Inventory & Warehouse Management Manage physical warehouse operations. Oversee inventory flow, consumables, spare parts, cycle counts, and associated costs. Lead inventory reduction initiatives. Perform Min/Max inventory analysis and provide recommendations. Develop and monitor procurement and inventory management KPIs to drive continuous improvement. Actively participate in the annual budgeting process with a strong understanding of maintenance costs, commodity requirements, inventory management, capital plans, and long-term operational strategy. Work closely with the Finance team by providing monthly accruals and cost projections. Oversee contractor insurance management processes in accordance with company policies. Support plant operations whenever required. Perform additional duties assigned by Plant Management. Required Qualifications University or College degree in a Technical, Economic, Financial, or Business discipline. Minimum 4 years of experience in purchasing and contract management within a manufacturing, production, or construction environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Strong strategic thinking, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Strong organizational skills and experience managing personnel. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to build trust, establish relationships, and work effectively across all organizational levels. Proven ability to manage multiple independent projects simultaneously. Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, flexibility, and openness to change. Preferred Qualifications CPM, APP, CPP, or APIC professional certification. #J-18808-Ljbffr