Experience Range: 5 - 8 years

Your Job:

Koch Engineered Solutions is looking for a Category Buyer - Subcontracting & Indirect Procurement to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for managing procurement activities related to subcontracting services and indirect purchases, ensuring timely availability of services and materials while optimizing cost, quality, and delivery performance. You will create value through supplier partnerships, strategic sourcing, operational excellence, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to support manufacturing and business operations.

Our Team:

The Category Buyer - Subcontracting & Indirect Procurement will be part of the Supply Chain Management team and report to the Supply Chain Manager. This role works closely with Production Planning, Manufacturing, Engineering, Projects, Quality, Warehouse, Finance, and other business functions to ensure uninterrupted operations and successful project execution. The successful candidate will join a collaborative and fast-paced environment focused on delivering value through effective procurement strategies and supplier management.

What You Will Do:

Subcontracting Procurement:

- Manage end-to-end procurement for subcontracting requirements including fabrication, machining, painting, coating, assembly, and other outsourced manufacturing processes.

- Float RFQs, obtain quotations, and conduct techno-commercial evaluations.

- Develop and maintain a qualified subcontractor network.

- Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and service conditions.

- Monitor supplier capacity, delivery commitments, and quality performance.

- Follow up on material issue and receipt transactions related to subcontracting activities.

- Coordinate with Production, Planning, Quality, and Projects teams to ensure timely completion of jobs.

Indirect Procurement:

- Manage procurement of indirect materials and services, including maintenance consumables, safety items and PPE, facility and office supplies, tools and equipment, engineering and project-related purchases, and AMC and service contracts.

- Ensure timely procurement while maintaining budget compliance.

Supplier Management:

- Identify and develop new suppliers to improve competitiveness and reduce supply risk.

- Evaluate supplier performance based on cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness.

- Conduct periodic supplier reviews and implement corrective actions where required.

- Maintain supplier agreements, records, and commercial documentation.

Cost Optimization:

- Drive annual cost reduction initiatives through strategic sourcing and negotiations.

- Benchmark market prices and identify savings opportunities.

- Support value engineering and localization initiatives.

Cross-Functional Coordination:

- Collaborate closely with Production Planning, Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Projects, Warehouse, and Finance teams.

- Ensure procurement activities support production schedules and project timelines.

- Expedite critical requirements to avoid business or production disruptions.

Systems, Reporting & Compliance:

- Create and manage purchase orders within ERP systems.

- Track open purchase orders and supplier delivery commitments.

- Maintain procurement KPI dashboards and MIS reports.

- Support management reviews by providing procurement performance insights.

- Ensure compliance with company procurement policies and governance requirements.

- Support audits through accurate and complete procurement documentation.

- Adhere to ethical sourcing and supplier management practices.

Success Measures:

- Timely availability of subcontracting services and indirect materials.

- Improved supplier performance across quality, delivery, and cost metrics.

- Achievement of annual cost reduction and sourcing objectives.

- Reduced supply chain risks through supplier development and diversification.

- Procurement activities consistently aligned with manufacturing and project schedules.

- Accurate and timely reporting of procurement KPIs and performance measures.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications):

- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related discipline.

- 5 - 8 years of procurement experience within manufacturing, engineering, or industrial environments.

- Experience managing subcontracting procurement and indirect purchasing activities.

- Strong supplier negotiation and commercial management skills.

- Knowledge of ERP systems such as LN, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar platforms.

- Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving capabilities.

- Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.

- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.

What Will Put You Ahead:

- Experience supporting engineered-to-order manufacturing environments.

- Strong understanding of fabrication, machining, painting, coating, and outsourced manufacturing processes.

- Demonstrated success driving supplier development and cost optimization initiatives.

- Experience in value engineering, localization, and strategic sourcing programs.

- Advanced proficiency in procurement analytics, KPI reporting, and market benchmarking.

- Knowledge of indirect categories, service contracts, and facility procurement.