Procurement Specialist

The Procurement Specialist is responsible to understand spend within assigned categories and (with budget stakeholder engagement) develop and implement sourcing strategies to ensure uninterrupted, cost effective supply of the goods & services necessary to support Afton business goals and operations. Position typically supports $50MM or greater in annual budgeted spend which includes a combination of high volume and or business critical goods and services, including packaging, freight and logistics and R&D spend. (note that role holds no direct responsibility for actual spend & transactions). The role typically comprises 35% tactical and 65% strategic procurement, and the successful candidate will work under minimal direction and guidance. + Develop an understanding of the assigned category spend, the market for the products and services purchased, and identify the factors which influence availability and pricing (know the buy) ensuring that significant market changes are anticipated, managed and communicated. + Develop and implement sourcing strategies at global and regional level within the assigned categories of spend - acting as the business partner to the operational departments and budget holders. + Agree targeted projects with global procurement category team and key category stakeholders, and define and lead project plan to enable agreed project requirements/targets in timely fashion. + As part of targeted projects, negotiate and deliver price and supply conditions ensuring commercial terms are optimized, supply maintained, contracts implemented and managed as appropriate and agreed with business stakeholders. + Develop supplier performance metrics and measures to ensure ongoing quality and consistency of products and services, and where agreed, support vendor relationship and communications to ensure metric delivery and enable maximum effectiveness of strategic purchasing initiatives. + Ensure smooth implementation and handover to business area owners post project, maintaining and enhancing supply continuity. Where necessary, ensure SAP data is maintained. + Provide project cost benefit analysis. + Consult with key internal stakeholder groups to provide information regarding the competition, potential entrants, pricing initiatives and quality, service, price or new offerings/opportunities. + Work with the supplier base to identify new sources within existing portfolio and new technologies and innovation which may bring advantage to Afton, sponsoring and supporting approvals as appropriate. + Collaborate with other Afton procurement team members on a regional and global basis to identify synergies that will maximize strategic procurement initiatives. + Demonstrate, lead and encourage best practice within the procurement process: vendor selection, specifications, tender & negotiation process/policy, business award, contracts implementation and maintenance etc. + Manage category in alignment with value creation in mind: optimize total cost of ownership for Afton, provide category insights to stakeholders, efficiency and control, and ensure sufficient supply. + As requested, support development of procedures to optimize efficiency and control of procure to pay process. Minimum Requirements: + Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, Economics, Math, Chemistry or related field + Demonstrated strategic planning, negotiation and influencing skills typically acquired through 7 or more years of experience in related roles with increasing levels of responsibility + Thorough knowledge and understanding of the procurement function and SAP typically acquired through 5 or more years of procurement experience Preferred: + Advanced degree (Masters or MBA) + Experience utilizing SAP for contract management and pricing updates + Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or similar certification + Work experience in the petroleum additive, lubricant or chemical industry + Demonstrated knowledge in the specific indirect categories assigned to the role Skills: + High personal credibility and ethics + Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to lead through influence and build consensus within teams where the incumbent has no line authority. + A demonstrated capacity for building effective relationships with suppliers and internal networks across all levels of the organization. + Self-starter with strong business acumen and the ability to link business goals and market trends to make sound procurement decisions. + Demonstrated understanding & knowledge of market economics, cost drivers, value chains etc. + Strong strategic and analytic approach to procurement with knowledge of Strategic sourcing principles and practice. + Team-oriented leadership dedicated to continuous improvement, maximizing productivity and effectiveness in the organization, and promoting best practices. + Highly effective negotiation facilitation and conflict management skill