Director Indirect Procurement / MRO

OXEA Corporation is a world leader in Oxo chemicals, producing over 70 oxo intermediates and derivatives for global industries. Our chemicals are essential ingredients in everyday products, supported by a team of more than 1,200 employees across plants in Germany, the USA, and China.

About the role

The Director of Indirect Procurement / MRO is responsible for managing and optimizing the procurement of Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) supplies and services across three key areas: Maintenance/Repair/TA/Contractors, Operations/Lab/Safety/Environmental, and CAPEX/Projects. This strategic leadership role focuses on cost control, sustainability, and continuous process improvement while driving measurable EBITDA improvements and enhancing supplier relationships, inventory management, and procurement efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of buyers, fostering a high-performance culture focused on strategic sourcing and procurement excellence.
• Set clear objectives and performance metrics for the team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Develop and execute a long-term MRO procurement strategy and category management strategies that align with company objectives.
• Negotiate and implement Trade Working Capital (TWC) initiatives and MRO contracts for favorable terms, risk mitigation, and long-term value.
• Benchmark sustainability programs with MRO suppliers and integrate sustainability considerations into the procurement process.
• Drive cost control initiatives with a measurable contribution toward EBITDA improvement and record cost avoidance successes.
• Present quarterly updates on improvement initiatives, demonstrating progress and financial impact.
• Influence plant users and suppliers to achieve optimal inventory management, reducing excess stock while ensuring availability.
• Implement initiatives for inventory optimization across all MRO categories, balancing cost and operational efficiency.
• Develop and implement tools for order placement and tracking improvement, enhancing procurement transparency and efficiency.
• Establish KPIs for on-time delivery of ordered items and implement agile dashboards for real-time decision-making.
• Lead procurement process improvement initiatives, streamlining workflows and reducing cycle times.
• Collaborate with maintenance, engineering, operations, finance, and other departments to align MRO procurement needs and strategies.
• Provide guidance and training to internal stakeholders on procurement best practices and policy adherence.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Finance, Business, or a related field; MBA strongly preferred.
• Certified Purchasing Manager (CMP) certification strongly preferred.
• 7–10+ years of progressive procurement experience, with a focus on MRO and services in the chemical industry.
• Deep understanding of tender law and tender procedures.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and ERP (SAP) systems.
• Experience working in international markets is an advantage.
• Proven experience leading a team.

Skills

• Strong leadership, negotiation, and contract management skills.
• Experience leading remote teams and stakeholders.
• Expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, and category management.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in procurement software, ERP systems (SAP), and advanced Excel skills.
• Ability to develop and implement KPIs and dashboards for performance tracking.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across functions.

Benefits

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Health Equity Health Fund for health and dependent care.
• Disability benefits.
• Basic Group Term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Paid time off for work/life balance.
• Competitive salary, bonus, 401(k) plan with match, and profit-sharing match.

Occasional travel to supplier sites and other company locations may be required. The role is based in an office environment with frequent interaction across departments and with external suppliers.