Sr. Buyer

Job Description

Job Description

Position Overview

A growing company in The Woodlands is seeking a Senior Buyer / Procurement Specialist to join its procurement team on a contract-to-hire basis. Reporting directly to the Procurement Manager, this role is responsible for leading sourcing activities, managing supplier relationships, negotiating pricing and contracts, and supporting strategic purchasing initiatives. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and can independently manage multiple procurement projects while delivering cost-effective business solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and manage sourcing activities from requirements gathering through supplier award recommendations.
• Lead competitive bid processes, supplier evaluations, and pricing negotiations.
• Build and maintain productive supplier relationships while addressing service, pricing, and performance concerns.
• Analyze spending trends, pricing comparisons, and supplier performance metrics to support procurement decisions.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand business needs, communicate project status, and develop practical sourcing solutions.
• Prepare and maintain procurement documentation, bid files, purchase records, contracts, and supporting materials.
• Resolve routine to moderately complex procurement issues and escalate risks or concerns as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, approval requirements, and established sourcing procedures.
• Monitor supplier performance through scorecards and reporting tools.
• Manage multiple sourcing initiatives simultaneously while meeting deadlines and business objectives.
• Support continuous improvement efforts related to purchasing, sourcing, and vendor management processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business, Finance, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 7-10 years of progressive procurement, sourcing, supply chain, or vendor management experience.
• Proven experience managing competitive bids, supplier evaluations, purchase agreements, and contract negotiations.
• Strong understanding of procurement processes, supplier management practices, and purchase order requirements.
• Experience utilizing spend analysis, bid tabulations, supplier scorecards, and procurement reporting tools.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to work effectively with vendors, field teams, project stakeholders, and leadership.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment.

Preferred Skills

• Strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management
• Contract review and negotiation
• Cost analysis and spend management
• Vendor performance management
• Procurement reporting and data analysis
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills