Senior Specialist, Logistics Purchasing

The Sr. Specialist is the liaison between Supply Chain Deliver, Supply Chain Planning, and the Logistic suppliers.

This position is responsible for the procurement of high quality, timely and cost-effective services. Make decisions based on long term strategies and use of suppliers, resolves escalated performance issues, and supports and executes any new supply chain procurement plans. Drives productivity (cost reduction/avoidance) to achieve optimized cost to serve while maintaining necessary service levels. The selected candidate ensures suppliers comply with government regulatory requirements, and Celanese’s safety standards and on-time performance. Works with team to develop and execute strategies to ensure maximum leverage of buy. 

Have a broad insight into logistic sourcing services including freight, warehousing, customs brokerage and use that knowledge to bring value and opportunities to Celanese.

Collaborate closely with the Supply Chain Planning and Supply Chain Deliver functions to maintain alignment and considering the regional/local needs from a corporate perspective as well as individual business needs/strategies.

• Develop a working knowledge of all categories to ensure Global Logistics goals and service objectives are achieved.  The role requires a working knowledge of supply chain operations and more specifically the process flow, storage and distribution. The position must ensure compliant, safe handling, shipping, and storage of Celanese product per scope of work.
• Lead and collaborate with Supply Chain Planning and Supply Chain Deliver functions in alignment with the business needs/strategy in analyzing logistical problems and to develop alternatives or new solutions to ensure reliable supply.
• Collaborate with regional procurement teams to implement RFQ’s for logistics services.
• Coordinate, consolidate, monitor and report on the category spend. Monitor and analyze expenditures and other financial information, to ensure that expenses are consistent with approved budgets and at optimal cost. Works on establishing new ways to reduce and/or eliminate costs to streamline and optimize the supply chain by conducting in-depth evaluations of suppliers that ensures achieving the objectives and strategies.
• Develop, support and advise on service, procurement procedures, and processes; requisitions, selection, vendor contracts, and obtain the appropriate approval levels.
• Maintain critical strategic supplier relationships to continually dialogue and develop “leading edge / Creative” ideas to further advance and create long term competitive advantage for the businesses. continuously develop as the subject matter expert for the warehousing industry to ensure our internal client’s goals and service objectives are achieved. Acts as a consultant relative to market dynamics, capability of the suppliers, business drivers as well as industry best practices.  
• Develops team charters and facilitate regional council meetings to ensure best practices identified and leveraged.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Supply Chain Management, Business, or Logistics related field.
• 3+ years relevant work experience in Logistics, Planning, or Procurement.
• Experience with negotiating contracts.
• Petrochemical industry experience preferred.

Sourcing & Procurement

• Has a broad understanding of logistic service categories in EAME to enhance Celanese competitive position in the marketplace.
• Develop and execute sourcing plans including supporting contract negotiations, managing supplier relations, database management and market analyses.
• Collaborate with the sourcing managers to negotiate and identify innovative solutions that support supplier consolidation, improved service, delivery, cost and lead times.
• Obtain proper balance between strategic company needs, service requirements and cost factors.
• Manage procurement activities in accordance with the Global Procurement guiding principles.

Supplier Management

• Handles any escalated service issues that arise with various suppliers that is beyond the scope of Supply Chain Deliver and Logistics Business Solutions.
• Assist with resolution of invoice discrepancies.

Compliance

• Periodically audits key logistic suppliers to ensure compliance with quality and responsible care.

• Monitor operations to ensure compliance with corporate administrative policies, procedures, contracts, and government regulations. Including determination of safety procedures for the handling of dangerous goods.

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of logistic services (daily operations, suppliers, services, quality and service standards, negotiation techniques, and follow-through, etc.)
• Knowledge of how suppliers operate and ability to judge their performance.

Necessary Functional Skills

• Analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to deal with cultural differences and regional issues.
• Knowledge of regional regulatory requirements.
• Strategy development and implementation of strategic plans.
• Knowledge of sourcing/purchasing methods and negotiation skills.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, both verbal and written.
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Excellent relationship building skills, both internally and externally.
• Good judgment and decision-making skills.
• Detail oriented and proactive to ensure maximum value captured.
• Financial and Business Acumen: interpreting and applying the understanding of key financial indicators to make better contractual decisions.
• Tech savvy:  ability to navigate the technical needs of Microsoft suite tools, SAP, TMS, Ariba, & other technical transportation solutions.
• Cultivates innovation:  Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
• Understanding and execution of escalation procedures to appropriate stakeholders in managing the supplier relationship.
• Working knowledge of Legal and Risk concepts and clauses in contracting
• Project Management skills to drive timely and cost-effective results on corporate initiatives and projects.
• Crisis Response support by mode to provide expertise and prompt resolution to market and environmental issues as they arise.