Lead Buyer

Talascend is currently seeking a Lead Buyer for a direct hire opportunity with our client located in Houston, TX.  This is a hybrid role, 3 days in-office/2 days remote.

OVERVIEW:

This position reports to the COO and is a salaried role with bonus potential
As a Category Manager- Buyer, you will play a critical role in defining and executing the sourcing strategy for our key product categories. You will work closely with our engineering and project teams to secure the necessary materials and services, ensuring they align with both technical specifications and business requirements. This role demands a proactive approach in negotiating supplier agreements and optimizing procurement processes to meet budget, quality, and project timelines. Based in the US, this role requires alignment with the global sourcing strategy as well as the group standard.

You will be part of a small dynamic team where collaboration, strategic thinking, and a hands-on approach are key to achieving success. With the support of Belgian based headquarters, you’ll implement a rigorous and robust approach to the US Hydrogen business.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Strategic Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for your designated product/service categories, aligned with company priorities.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives to drive procurement objectives.
• Identify and evaluate new suppliers in collaboration with key internal stakeholders.
• Rationalize the existing supplier database for efficiency.
• Negotiate and establish long-term framework agreements with key suppliers in line with corporate procurement policies.
• Ensure supplier performance meets ISO 9001 standards and regularly assess their capabilities.
• Set up KPIs to continuously monitor and evaluate supplier performance.
• Work closely with the proposal team to ensure the adequation between the market needs and the organization capability.

Project and Operational Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with our project teams and engineering teams to develop tender packages, identify suppliers, and ensure alignment with technical specifications.
• Negotiate pricing, assess negotiation margins, and secure cost-effective solutions for materials, equipment, and services.
• Prepare and present comparative analysis for decision-making and initiate purchase orders.
• Renegotiate contracts during project execution to optimize costs (TCO/TCP).
• Oversee the issuance of purchase orders by local buyers, ensuring compliance with internal procedures.
• Monitor supplier performance to ensure adherence to delivery schedules and quality standards.
• Highlight procurement gains at the end of each project to improve future performance.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: 

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in procurement, preferably as a lead buyer or category manager in an international industrial environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in technical field preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of the pressurized vessels market highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of sourcing, supplier qualification, and strategic vendor management.
• Expertise in drafting and negotiating supplier agreements and framework contracts.
• Strong negotiation and analytical skills.
• High ethical standards and integrity.
• Self-motivated with a strong drive to accomplish goals and meet deadlines.
• Excellent cross-functional leadership abilities, with the capacity to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Team-oriented with strong interpersonal skills, adaptable, pragmatic, and assertive when necessary.
• Competent in SAP, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Experience with Power BI preferred but not required.
• Up to 25% travel-both domestic and international