Location: Houston,TX, USA
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Buyer (Contract)
Westlake Chemical offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.? Westlake Chemical is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.
**If you are an active Westlake Chemical employee (or an employee of any Westlake Chemical affiliates), please do not apply here. Please go to your Workday homepage and click on the Careers worklet and view Westlake Career Opportunities.**
**SUMMARY**
Supports centralized procurement initiatives, policies and practices for the corporation. This includes mining and analysis of procurement data, supplier problem resolution, and administration of the companys procurement card and travel card program.
**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**
*May include, but are not limited to, the following:*
* Lead and/or actively contribute to assigned projects ensuring completion on time and within budget and comply with corporation procurement policies and procedures and the DOA.
* Responsible for support of the Corporations Procurement initiatives and activities.
* Responsible for support of Sourcing initiatives including data mining, data analysis, and Market analysis
* Coordinate the Companys PRO-Card program within Company policies and guidelines in order to achieve the best possible business results for the Company.
* Manages the flow, recording, and processing of Corporate purchasing documents. Negotiates assigned purchases to the most economical advantage to the Company.
* Leverage yearly purchases to establish lowest total cost by establishing yearly or multi-year Contracts for the purchase of goods and services through the identification of repeatable purchases, potential supply base and an appropriate sourcing strategy.
* Prepares, submits for quotes, and purchases requisitioned materials and equipment following evaluation.
* Purchases materials and services for the Plant in a manner which assures that the most economical advantage to the Company has been attained.
* Prepares bid comparisons from quotations, both written and verbal, based on evaluation derived from vendor's bids.
* Expedites orders that are critical to the operation of the Plant and those orders that are behind schedule.
* Prepares and maintains Preferred Vendor File based on previous cost, quality of service, reliability and types of goods and materials.
* Assists and researches logistical information in specific areas relating to all Plant departments.
* Assists Accounting in resolving purchase/billing discrepancies; warehouse stores and other departments in expediting, scheduling, contracts, and specifications.
* Assures that purchases have had the proper D.O.A. approval levels applied and that the purchasing department complies with SOX guidelines.
* Contacts vendors, contractors, and engineering firms to obtain quotes, delivery schedules, and terms of payment. When appropriate, negotiates discounts, delivery schedules and terms.
* Comply with all Company policies and procedures.
* Any additional responsibilities or tasks as assigned.
**EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS**
* BA/BS Degree in Business or related field from an accredited University required.
* 2 years of experience in the field of purchasing in the refining, oil industry, chemical industry, or a related engineering and construction company whose primary business in support of these industries.
* Strong Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and computer based application skills; SAP experience is highly desirable.
* Demonstrated communications skills, both written and oral.
* Excellent interpersonal skills.
* Some on the job seminar type training in contract law, the principles of purchasing management, and cost and price analysis and negotiation technique would be definite factors in the candidates selection.
* Experience in dealing with labor, construction, engineering, and fabrication contractors, and will have experience in the purchase of coded vessels, rotating equipment, mechanical equipment, electrical, and instrumentation.
**PHYSICAL DEMANDS**
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
**WORK ENVIRONMENT**
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators. Travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.
Westlake Chemical is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.
If you are an active Westlake Chemical employee (or an employee of any Westlake Chemical affiliates), please do not apply here. Please go to your Workday homepage and click on the Careers worklet and view Westlake Career Opportunities.
At Westlake Chemical, you will have the opportunity to grow your career in an entrepreneurial environment. We are a competitive, international manufacturer and supplier of petrochemicals and building products. We focus our talents on delivering strong business results. We invite you to enhance your work life and career experience by applying your talent here at Westlake.
Westlake Chemical (NYSE: WLK) is an international manufacturer and quality supplier of petrochemicals, plastics and building products. Our family of companies has a global presence with manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Employing approximately 9,400 people, Westlake Chemical operates from more than 40 locations across the globe. To learn more, visit
To view other career opportunities at Westlake and our family of companies, visit