Senior Specialist, Buyer

Lead and execute the purchasing of materials, equipment, services, and supplies to support operational and project requirements. This role reports to the Purchasing Manager and collaborates with SCM, Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, Production, Capital Projects, Finance, and other stakeholders to align purchasing activity with business requirements, inventory strategies, and organizational objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end purchasing-to-pay (P2P) process from requisition through purchase order issuance, delivery, payment, and close out.
• Ensure processes align with Cheniere policies, standards, and procedures.
• Establish Contract Purchase Agreements (CPAs) and Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) as appropriate for the business and supplier contracts.
• Support the identification of suppliers to secure quality materials at the best overall cost for Cheniere.
• Coordinate and expedite delivery dates for materials as needed.
• Identify, support, and execute implementation of transaction reduction programs and continuous improvement opportunities to optimize resources and build efficiency into the purchasing process.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, warranties, and other commercial conditions.
• Prepare and issue RFQs/RFPs, evaluate and award bids from suppliers, and analyze cost versus approved budgets and estimates.
• Work closely with stakeholders to ensure project deliverables are met and effectively interface with operations, engineering & construction, legal, finance, insurance, health, safety, environment, suppliers, and contractors.
• Monitor purchase orders to ensure materials and services are delivered according to agreed terms and dates. Proactively identify potential delays and develop recovery plans with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with materials planning, inventory, maintenance, operations, engineering, and logistics to understand requirements and priorities.
• Support material availability and ensure procurement activities align with operational schedules.
• Provide visibility to stakeholders regarding purchase order status, delivery commitments, risks, and recovery actions.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve lead times, reduce costs, and mitigate supply disruptions.
• Support inventory optimization by balancing material availability with appropriate inventory levels.
• Support cross-team workload balancing to assure SCM services are delivered with quality and timely response.
• Collaborate with sites to provide thought leadership and best practices that drive purchasing improvements.
• Support contract owners to gather performance feedback for effective supplier management.

Category Strategy and Implementation

• Provide input to the development of Category Strategies.
• Implement relevant procurement instruments and call-off processes.
• Ensure competitive bidding with incumbents is compliant with Category Strategies, sourcing, local laws/regulations, and SCM policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Sourcing, Contracting, and Implementation

• Develop bid evaluation (commercial and technical) documentation and perform commercial analysis.
• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, especially related to records, documentation, pricing, and KPIs.
• Manage and address legal exceptions, including commercial, technical, insurance, and tax issues.

Supplier Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with strategic and critical suppliers.
• Evaluate supplier performance related to cost, quality, delivery, responsiveness, and service.
• Identify supplier risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Support supplier qualification, development, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Participate in supplier negotiations, business reviews, and performance meetings.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain or related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education, experience, and certifications may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Minimum five (5) years of purchasing experience, preferably within the LNG or Oil and Gas industry.
• Experience with inventory and material planning, strategic sourcing, competitive bidding, bid evaluations, award recommendations, supplier performance management, and contract administration.

Skills

• In-depth knowledge of all processes and capabilities to manage the end-to-end P2P process, typical contract provisions, compensation structure, and legal terms.
• Knowledge of purchasing within construction, maintenance, and/or operations (LNG or Oil and Gas) and maintenance planning.
• Strategic sourcing, category management, and supplier performance management.
• Purchase order monitoring and expediting.
• Ability to work proactively in a collaborative environment.
• Spend analysis and cost reduction.
• Contract and commercial negotiation.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams and build relationships to achieve results.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Detailed oriented, organized, and able to complete activities and programs timely.
• Computer savvy, including but not limited to: Oracle, Maximo, and Microsoft Office.

Work Conditions

Job is performed in a typical office environment but is subject to time pressures and constraints, often dependent on input from others. Occasionally, work may be performed from home, after normal work hours, or on weekends. Periodic travel as business requires, including frequent travel to facilities in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Sabine Pass, Louisiana. Subject to drug and alcohol testing per applicable federal regulations or as required by Cheniere.

Benefits

• Free parking or metro ticket for Houston office location.
• Modern, bright offices designed to foster collaboration with access to downtown tunnels, restaurants, and gyms.
• Comprehensive compensation and benefits offerings, including wellness and performance incentives.
• Annual stock-grant program.
• Commitment to improving employee wellbeing and work-life balance.

About Us

Cheniere Energy is a global leader in LNG, providing flexible, reliable, and affordable energy while powering the transition to a lower-carbon future. We are a values-driven company focusing on teamwork, respect, accountability, integrity, nimbleness, and safety. Our high-performing employees are united by a shared mission, common goals, and a culture of inclusion and caring. Headquartered in Houston, Cheniere has U.S. offices in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Washington D.C.; production sites in Cameron, Louisiana, and Gregory, Texas; and international offices in London, Singapore, Beijing, and Tokyo.