Outplant Operations Specialist

About the role

As an Outplant Operations Specialist, you will serve as the primary operational contact between Nouryon and assigned third-party logistics and storage providers. You will oversee operational performance, safety, inventory accuracy, contract compliance, and costs across external facilities, including warehouses, storage terminals, and depots. This role offers a high level of autonomy, combining supplier relationship management, operational problem-solving, and regular visits to external facilities to ensure reliable and efficient supply chain operations.

Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with third-party logistics and storage providers, including warehouses, bulk storage terminals, and depots, ensuring operational performance, contract compliance, and service quality.
• Monitor safety, health, environment, and security (SHE&S) performance across assigned facilities, ensuring adherence to Nouryon policies and standards.
• Lead supplier performance reviews, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), investigate service failures, and implement corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee inventory control activities, including annual stock counts, cycle counts, inventory discrepancy investigations, and inventory adjustments.
• Use SAP to track material movements, investigate inventory discrepancies, and support accurate inventory management.
• Monitor operational costs, validate supplier invoices, support budgeting activities, and manage cost approvals.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for operational issues and customer complaints, collaborating with internal stakeholders and external partners to identify root causes and implement solutions.
• Support the onboarding and offboarding of third-party facilities and services, maintain operational documentation, and collaborate with regional and global teams to improve processes and efficiency.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, or a related field, or equivalent work experience of at least 8 years in site logistics or warehousing.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in warehousing, logistics, or supply chain operations, including supervisory or management responsibilities.
• Strong working knowledge of SAP, particularly material movements, inventory transactions, and inventory discrepancy investigations.
• Strong understanding of warehouse operations, inventory control, supplier relationship management, and operational performance evaluations.
• Experience using warehouse management systems (WMS) and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret operational data, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to collaborate across organizational levels and with third-party service providers.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and travel approximately 30% of the time, with occasional periods of increased travel.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in the chemical manufacturing or specialty chemicals industry.
• Experience working with different types of logistics and storage facilities, including warehouses, bulk storage terminals, and depots handling ISO tanks or containers.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or Total Quality Management.
• Experience supporting logistics process optimization, operational improvement projects, or third-party warehouse transitions.

Qualifications

• Collaborative and relationship-focused: You build strong relationships with suppliers, colleagues, and stakeholders while communicating effectively across different teams and functions.
• Analytical and solution-oriented: You use data and sound judgment to investigate inventory discrepancies, identify root causes, and resolve operational challenges.
• Independent and accountable: You take ownership of your responsibilities, demonstrate initiative, and work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Continuous improvement mindset: You proactively identify opportunities to improve processes, enhance service quality, and optimize operational performance.
• Adaptable and resilient: You manage competing priorities, embrace change, and remain focused on delivering results in a dynamic environment.

Schedule

This is a full-time permanent, onsite position based in Houston (15115 Park Row, Houston, TX 77084), reporting to the Regional Outplant Manager. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The position requires approximately 30% travel, primarily within the United States, with occasional potential travel to Canada or Mexico. Travel may increase during certain periods, particularly around year-end inventory counts.