Assoc. Director- Strategic Sourcing Indirect Materials

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.​

SUMMARY

Directs planning and execution of North America indirect materials and services purchasing for Westlake Chemical, compound and building product facilities. Provide leadership, mentoring and training to the designated procurement organization under a direct and indirect reporting structure. Identify and implement best in class sourcing strategy and practices which support continuity of supply, quality, cost and business unit requirements.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Directs, develops and executes strategies for the sourcing, procurement and logistics of indirect materials and services purchasing for Westlake Chemical, compound and building product facilities.
• Provide leadership, mentoring and training to the designated procurement organization under a direct and indirect reporting structure.
• Identify and implement best in class sourcing strategy and practices which support continuity of supply, quality, cost and business unit requirements.
• Provides leadership, guidance and manages the indirect materials and services Purchasing Staff. Effectively practices performance based management by coaching and developing employees. Leads activities improving the commercial capabilities of the organization.
• Develop and implement personal and team objectives using key performance indicators.   Manage personal and team objectives to insure the KPI’s are met.
• Institute and utilize strategic sourcing practices, processes and techniques across the organization to provide the best total cost supply chain solution.
• Establish and lead cross functional teams to develop, execute and maintain cross company sourcing strategies driving acceptance and use of a consolidated strategic supply base.
• Directs market analysis for all historical and potential future indirect materials and services. Assesses the ability of the indirect materials and services to satisfy Westlake’s volume, quality, performance and total delivered cost requirements.
• Develops and implements global indirect materials and services cost reduction strategies addressing material/service cost, logistics cost, and quality.  Executes projects leading to specific reductions in indirect materials and services costs contributing to each business’ EBITDA performance.
• Directs development of routine indirect materials and services cost forecasts supporting each business’ financial forecast.
• Develops and improves processes, systems, and performance management reporting for indirect materials and services purchasing activities. Leads efforts to improve and enhance purchasing and reporting systems.
• Collaborates with Legal on contract negotiations, management and execution; collaborates with HS&E to ensure safety and compliance of services purchased.
• Establish a preferred supply base and manage via suppler relationship management programs, including supplier scorecards/reviews to drive continuous improvement.
• Understand applicable company policy and insure personal and team compliance including the procurement policy and procedures, Sox controls and DOA.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. in Engineering, business or related field. Master’s degree in Business is beneficial.
• 15 years of relevant experience in the manufacturing, petroleum refining or petrochemical industries required. Seven (7) years of which must have included work in a supervisory capacity.
• Demonstrated management experience leading professional level resources
• Deep understanding of Indirect materials and Services trends, opportunities & risks
• Deep experience designing end-to-end procurement strategies and a track record of leading sustainable high impact sourcing approaches levering sourcing levers beyond tendering
• Experience in managing category managers with cumulative spend over $1 Billion
• Knowledge of plant purchasing, plant warehouse and contract negotiations/ management.
• Strong written & verbal communication skills, as well as effective presentation skills. 
• Strong Microsoft Power Point, Word and Excel skills. Strong analytical skills required, SAP experience is highly desirable.
• Extensive knowledge of manufacturing and related indirect materials and services desired
• Business management skills including the ability to develop and execute strategy. Solid understanding of business disciplines and financial information.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence all levels of employees and management, both inside the company and externally with suppliers.
• Ability to make decisions or recommendations that are “data based” and align decisions with strategies. Considers the impacts of decisions on other parts of the organization.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office.  Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.  May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators.  Travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.

If you are an active Westlake employee (or an employee of any Westlake affiliates), please do not apply here. You will apply via the Jobs Hub application in Workday.