Purchasing Agent

Procurement Support And SupervisionCITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry and operates under the well-known CITGO brand. CITGO owns and operates three refineries located in Lake Charles, LA.; Lemont, IL.; and Corpus Christi, TX, and wholly and/or jointly owns 43 active terminals, nine pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,300 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 829,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), positions CITGO as one of the best-branded supplier companies in the industry. At CITGO our people are our most important resource. Our core values are Safety, Integrity, Respect, Accountability, and Care.Job Summary: Provide procurement support and supervision for all assigned locations in accordance with Company policies, procedures and goals. Responsible for the creation and maintenance of contracts (purchase orders & outline agreements). Bids, selects and negotiates with vendors to obtain materials and/or services from suppliers at the lowest cost with consideration given to quality, reliability and delivery requirements per business need. Set-up Vendor for use through the SAP system and maintain vendor relations. Performs and analyzes industry research as needed.Job Duties: Review customers' requisitions and process Purchase Orders in SAP to procure materials and services at the most favorable price consistent with requirements for quantity, quality, and delivery to support the corporate office and field locations. Establish and maintain secure sources for required materials and services. Coordinate with client groups to jointly evaluate performance of existing suppliers and contractors and determine any need for alternates. Negotiate, execute and administer contracts (purchase orders & outline agreements), leases and national contracts Coordinate as necessary activities of involved parties (clients, vendors, contractors, legal, etc.) to ensure proper performance of all contracts. Supports the maintenance of current vendor lists capable of supplying assigned commodities and services. Establish and maintain contracts (Outline Agreements) consistent with the requirements established by customers using specifications for products and/or scopes of work for services. Negotiate with qualified vendors for price; delivery and quality to establish contracts. Implement selective long term agreements based on vendor quality and value. Possess an understanding of market conditions and perform an in-depth value and quality analysis of each requirement. Identify opportunities for Strategic Sourcing. Analyze procurement patterns based on volume and cost to establish strategic contracts to provide overall cost benefits.Job Duties II: Manage the Supplier Base by performing market analysis and research for evaluating and selecting new suppliers. Perform all tasks associated with management of the supplier population, including but not limited to communication with new/potential suppliers to discuss mutual interests and new opportunities. Actively participate in various vendor networking events. Participate in the evaluation and selection of potential suppliers through the pre-qualification and bidding process. Advise purchasing management and affected client groups of significant events affecting the normal supply of goods and services. Pursue innovations in procurement practices and department procedures that will improve effectiveness and produce cost savings. Solicit formal and informal supplier bids for materials and services. Analyze proposals, negotiate, cost and terms & conditions to award the business fairly. Perform all steps necessary to prepare and release an RFP or RFQ. Assist user/requisitioner in developing specifications and/or requirements. Resolve a variety of purchasing issues/problems for both internal and external customers (i.e., unblock invoices to secure payment for vendors, provide expediting services as necessary, disputes for "out of scope" changes, etc). Support special projects in response to various customer and management requests for one-of-a-kind projects. Provides Procurement on-call support as necessary.Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Business (or Other) and 4 years of Supply Chain management experience OR 8 years in lieu of degree. Negotiating Skills; Insurance/Indemnification Knowledge Preferred; Multi-Tasking Skills; Legal Terms & Conditions Knowledge Preferred; Proficient Computer Skills: SAP (or similar ERP), MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Communication Skills.Here are the incentives we offer: Remote Work options available for eligible positions; Options are department and/or location specific; 9/80 Work Schedule Option (where applicable); Annual Vacation Incentive (40-120 hours of additional pay) for Eligible Employees; Paid Vacation Time; Company-Paid Holidays; Caregiver Leave; Excellent 401(k) Match; Pension Plan; Performance Incentive; Company-Paid Sick Leave and Long-Term Disability; Medical, Dental, & Vision Plans; FSA and HSA options; Company-Paid Life Insurance for Active Employees; Healthy Rewards Program; Service Awards Program; Educational Assistance Plan; Dependent Children Scholarships; Reimbursement for Gym Membership; Employee Discount Programs; On-site Health Clinic (select locations); On-site Cafeteria (select locations); On-site Credit Union and ATM (Corporate office only); On-site Fitness Center (select locations).