Project Procurement Specialist

About the role

MP Materials is rebuilding American industrial capability for a new era of autonomy, robotics, and electrification. We are the only U.S. company with a fully integrated rare earth supply chain—from mining and refining to advanced metal and magnet manufacturing. This position is responsible for purchasing and negotiating materials, equipment, and services for large capital projects.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with internal and external engineering, construction, and project management teams to forecast needs and align procurement equipment and/or construction services with project timelines.
• Provide oversight to EPC in its procurement practices such as sourcing supplies, RFP, RFQ, bid analysis, negotiation and expediting to ensure maximized value from expenditures.
• Consistently review EPC performance, exploring any new practices and methods to increase the value of services.
• Ensure all procurement activities adhere to company practices, industry standards, safety regulations and project specific requirements.
• Reviews and enforces any required flow-down provisions from EPC, ensuring alignment with company polices and customer requirements.
• Coordinate with company’s procurement department’s warehouse and logistics department for material delivery, track material progress and resolve any issues such as shortages, damages etc.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and subcontractors, evaluate their performance, and resolve any issues that affect company quality and delivery commitments.
• Liaises with other procurement and legal professionals to assure that contractual terms and conditions are acceptable and serve to minimize risk.
• Maintains awareness of current market conditions, new products, and supply sources for assigned commodities, new technologies, and methods that enhance value of purchasing process.
• Proficiency in total life cycle cost or other commercial analysis and process improvement methods utilized to support company initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, or related field preferred or (4 years' experience in Lieu of degree) plus minimum 5-year relevant experience.
• Several years of procurement experience, specifically within an EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) environment and construction or engineering sectors, is essential.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Extensive experience with SAP, Excel, Power Point, and other Microsoft Office products.
• Exhibits strong personal integrity and a high level of customer service.
• Able to act independently and be hands on with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to act with confidence and speed in execution.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate change with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Is a Change Champion. Has the courage to lead change. Takes a broad business perspective and is willing to speak up. Stimulates new thinking in a positive and non-threatening fashion.
• A strong collaborator across the business, Supply Chain and other support Functions.
• Can deal with ambiguity, showing strong self-confidence and determination.

Desired Qualities

• Masters degree in business administration.
• CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) and/or PMP (Project Management Professional) preferred.