Assoc. Director- Strategic Sourcing Indirect Materials

Duties And Responsibilities

• 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.
• Provides leadership, mentoring and training to the designated procurement organization under a direct and indirect reporting structure.
• Identifies and implements 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.
• Led activities improving the commercial capabilities of the organization.
• Develops and implements personal and team objectives using key performance indicators.
• Manages personal and team objectives to insure the KPI’s are met.
• Institutes and utilizes strategic sourcing practices, processes and techniques across the organization to provide the best total cost supply chain solution.
• Establishes and leads 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.
• Affirms 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.
• 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 supplier 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.