Procurement Specialist

Are you ready to move your career forward and help shape our company’s and customers’ futures?

If you aspire to challenge yourself, work with the best in the industry and join a successful team where you can make a meaningful contribution, then we invite you to join us at Ketjen Corporation, a provider of advanced catalyst solutions to leading producers in the petrochemical, refining, and specialty chemicals industries. Together, we can create a legacy marked by innovation, excitement, and energy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Transformation of our procurement organization is a top strategic priority for the catalysts business of Ketjen and we believe this presents unique and exciting career opportunities. The world is rapidly changing, and we need to align our strategy to support the growth and success of our businesses. If you are a forward thinker, with the creativity and maturity to effectively challenge the status quo of our existing business and practices, this opportunity might be for you.

We are building a world-class global procurement function focused around:

1. Category Management focused on driving long-term sustainable value for the business.
2. Procurement Operations providing exceptional support and advisement to our business unit stakeholders.
3. Data Analytics, process excellence, and technology adoption to drive and enable procurement best practices and excellent end-user experience.

The Opportunity:

The procurement specialist manages buying activities as well as local sourcing activities in the indirect space for a site and/or region. He works closely with the category managers and is responsible for the efficient and effective execution of category and sourcing strategy activities for the site/region. This role, together with the Purchasing Agent for the site/region, acts as the procurement service desk and assures escalation to other procurement team members as required.

The procurement specialist is focused on developing strong relationships with key stakeholders and driving forward strong service and value for the region/business units/and sites supported. The role will also focus on working with multiple functional groups to continuously look for areas to either eliminate waste or reduce non-value activities across the entire supply chain. This role is also responsible for ensuring compliance at the local level to Ketjen procurement processes and procedures.

Additional responsibilities and impact:

• Purchase indirect goods & services by securing price, total cost of ownership, capacity & service levels in line with commitments to the business and as per the sourcing strategies by applying a wide range of sourcing tools (e.g. Negotiation, e-procurement, strategic collaboration, tenders/RFPs etc.);
• Implement supply base strategy. Assess and develop suppliers in order to meet business needs and opportunities;
• Ensure effective risk management of the supply base, through robust contracts and monitoring of financial and other KPIs. Implement corrective actions as appropriate. Manage all related commercial, financial & ethical aspects of projects;
• Establish & maintain relationships with local Finance, local departments, including plant management and their teams to ensure understanding of their needs and to facilitate the appropriate level of service;
• Ensure compliance with policies, systems & controls;
• Provide market and financial insights and inputs to the internal sourcing planning process;
• Recommend and implement best practice for areas of responsibility;
• Provide input to and execute the global and regional strategies at a local level;
• Support and contribute to global/regional projects as required;
• Actively participate in cross-segment team meetings, as well any global and/or specific subcategory team meetings;
• Regularly maintain & update relevant KPIs (related to in-scope investments e.g. Savings, payment terms etc);
• Acts as the liaison between the sites and/or Business units and the category managers to communicate changing business needs (e.g. Specification, volume changes, etc.) and its impact on category strategies;
• Works with other functions to support new product launches, line extensions, and execution of continuous improvement programs for indirect goods and services in scope for the role;
• Execute supplier performance reviews on a regular basis;
• Identifies opportunities or roadblocks with respect to regional strategies and determines next best local approach as needed;
• Collaborate with other procurement members and stakeholders to drive continuous improvement to create capacity;
• Create contracts for top spend suppliers or where compliance regulations require.

What We’re Looking For:

• 5 years + of procurement experience in a similar function;
• Team player;
• Strong stakeholder engagement, partnering, and ability to influence;
• Experience understanding category management frameworks;
• Understand the S2P (Source to Pay) process;
• Interpersonal skills and ability to partner with stakeholders and multiple functional groups on projects/programs;
• High learning and change agility;
• Comfortable around higher management;
• Ability to navigate ambiguity;
• Priority setting;
• Negotiation and conflict management skills;
• Effective oral and written communications;
• Extensive knowledge with Excel, PowerPoint, PowerBI and other advanced analytical tools; experience preferred in procurement platforms (Ariba, Coupa, Ivalua, Jaggaer, Oracle);
• Familiarity with sourcing events and savings methodologies preferred;
• Experience in Procurement spend data management and sourcing/contracting tools a plus;
• Lean and Change Management experience;
• Preferably experience with the following commodities: MRO, Facilities Management, Corporate Services, IT, Electrical & Instrumentation, Pumps, PVF (Pipes, Valves, Fittings), etc.

Language Skills:

• English & Dutch – Proficient to conduct external and internal business;
• Other languages such as German are a plus.

Apply today and help Ketjen unleash the POTENTIAL of advanced chemistry for industries that power the world.

We are a global provider of advanced catalyst solutions to leading producers in the petrochemical, refining, and specialty chemicals industries. Working side-by-side with our customers, we develop value-added, customized solutions that make them more competitive. Discovering and implementing new and better performance-based sustainable solutions is what motivates all of us. We think beyond business-as-usual to drive innovations that create lasting value.

Unleash your POTENTIAL with Ketjen.

At Ketjen, we believe that our people make us successful. It’s really that simple. We embrace diversity of experience, talent and thought. We work hard to create an inclusive work environment that empowers you to openly and honestly communicate, create and innovate. Your decision to join our team will be rewarded with a positive, team-oriented workplace that inspires personal and professional growth. We will make every effort to support your career goals and create opportunities for you to realize your full potential. This is our culture. This is our commitment.

AS PART OF OUR GLOBAL TEAM, YOU’LL EXPERIENCE:

• Competitive compensation and benefits;
• Hands-on technical experience;
• Job variety and career flexibility;
• Collaboration with seasoned employees at every level;
• A proven record of innovation;
• Company-wide focus on economic and environmental sustainability;
• Deep commitment to our communities, education, and social development;
• Concern and compassion for fellow employees;
• Among the best safety records in the industry.

The bottom line: no matter where you apply your talent and training, Ketjen will provide the resources and support you need to succeed.