Principal Buyer

Job Summary

The Procurement Principal Buyer supports TPC Group's safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations by leading complex sourcing initiatives and procuring materials and services that deliver the best total value to the organization. Reporting to a Category Manager, this role independently executes complex sourcing and contracting activities in support of assigned category strategies and business priorities established by the Category Manager while serving as a procurement resource for internal stakeholders and other members of the Procurement team.

The successful candidate combines strong analytical capability, sound business judgment, and deep procurement expertise to manage high-impact sourcing initiatives while collaborating across functions in a fast-paced, changing environment. This position requires initiative, integrity, adaptability, and a continuous improvement mindset while helping advance Procurement Excellence throughout the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

List the core functions and daily responsibilities.

Sourcing and Category Strategy Execution

• Execute sourcing initiatives and commercial negotiations consistent with category strategies, procurement priorities, and business objectives established by the Category Manager.• Execute sourcing strategies developed in collaboration with the Category Manager while recommending opportunities to improve commercial outcomes, supplier performance, and total value.
• Lead competitive sourcing events (RFPs, RFQs, auctions, and negotiations), ensuring a fair, transparent, and compliant procurement process.
• Analyze supplier proposals using commercial, financial, operational, and risk considerations to develop well-supported sourcing recommendations.
• Negotiate complex commercial agreements, pricing structures, contract terms, and service level expectations to achieve optimal business outcomes.

• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, procurement procedures, delegated authority requirements, and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) controls

Supplier and Contract Management

• Develop and maintain strong commercial relationships with strategic suppliers while serving as the primary procurement contact for assigned supplier portfolios.
• Manage supplier performance by monitoring contract compliance, service quality, delivery performance, commercial issues, and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Lead resolution of complex supplier performance and commercial issues in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Manage contracts throughout their lifecycle, including implementation, amendments, renewals, and closeout.
• Identify supplier risks and collaborate with stakeholders to develop appropriate mitigation strategies.

• Support supplier qualification activities, audits, and contractor compliance requirements, including ISNetworld and other applicable supplier management processes.

Analytical and Leadership

• Analyze spend data, supplier performance, and market conditions to identify sourcing opportunities and commercial improvements.
• Develop financial analyses including total cost of ownership evaluations, pricing comparisons, savings analyses, and business cases supporting sourcing recommendations.
• Monitor commodity markets, supplier capabilities, and industry trends to provide market intelligence to internal stakeholders.
• Track and report savings realization, contract compliance, supplier performance, and other procurement performance metrics.

• Evaluate commercial alternatives and recommend solutions balancing cost, risk, operational requirements, and long-term value

Stakeholder Collaboration and Influence

• Serve as a trusted procurement advisor by understanding stakeholder objectives and providing commercially sound sourcing recommendations.
• Lead cross-functional sourcing teams involving Operations, Maintenance, Capital, EHSS, Finance, Legal, and other business functions.
• Build consensus among stakeholders during sourcing events while balancing operational priorities, commercial objectives, and procurement best practices.
• Anticipate procurement risks, supply disruptions, and commercial issues, proactively developing solutions before they impact the business.

• Present sourcing recommendations, negotiation strategies, and supplier evaluations to stakeholders and leadership in alignment with Category Manager direction

Continuous Improvement & Knowledge Sharing
• Identify and implement procurement process improvements that enhance efficiency, compliance, and stakeholder experience.
• Promote adoption of procurement best practices, sourcing tools, and standard work processes.
• Mentor Buyers and Associate Buyers by sharing procurement knowledge, commercial expertise, and lessons learned.
• Support development and refinement of procurement templates, sourcing methodologies, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain awareness of procurement trends, market developments, and emerging technologies to improve procurement effectiveness

Strategic Procurement Execution

• Anticipate sourcing, supplier, and commercial challenges and proactively develop solutions before they impact operations.
• Execute sourcing strategies for assigned categories in partnership with the Category Manager, providing market intelligence and commercial recommendations to improve business outcomes.
• Independently execute complex sourcing events (RFPs, RFQs, tenders, auctions, and negotiations) from planning through contract execution.
• Analyze supplier proposals, commercial terms, total cost of ownership, supplier risk, and market conditions to develop well-supported sourcing recommendations.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and contract reviews, balancing commercial objectives, operational requirements, and risk.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, delegated authority requirements, contract standards, and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) controls.

Supplier & Commercial Management

• Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships that promote reliability, innovation, continuous improvement, and long-term value.
• Monitor supplier performance and collaborate with internal stakeholders to resolve commercial issues, improve supplier performance, and mitigate supply risk.
• Manage contracts throughout their lifecycle, including implementation, amendments, renewals, compliance monitoring, and closeout.
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, commercial optimization, and cost savings while supporting broader procurement objectives

Business Analysis & Performance

• Analyze spend, supplier performance, market trends, and cost drivers to identify sourcing opportunities and improve procurement performance.
• Develop and maintain financial analyses, including total cost of ownership models, cost comparisons, business cases, and savings analyses to support sourcing decisions.
• Track and communicate procurement performance metrics, including savings realization, supplier performance, contract compliance, and other key performance indicators

Continuous Improvement & Leadership

• Identify and implement procurement process improvements that enhance efficiency, compliance, stakeholder experience, and business value.
• Leverage technology, data analytics, and market intelligence to improve procurement effectiveness and decision-making.
• Mentor and share knowledge with Buyers and Associate Buyers, promoting procurement best practices and continuous development.
• Apply structured problem-solving techniques to resolve complex procurement challenges and drive sustainable process improvements.
• Adapt quickly to changing business priorities, market conditions, and operational requirements while maintaining focus on delivering results.

Qualifications

Required: Minimum education, experience, certifications, and skills.

Preferred: Nice-to-have but not essential qualifications.

Minimum Requirements

☒ Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Accounting, Engineering, or a related field required (equivalent combination of education and relevant procurement experience may be considered)

8-10 years of experience

Certifications (if any): Professional procurement certification such as CPSM, CPSD, CPM, or equivalent preferred

Master's Degree Preferred

This hybrid role operates in a professional office and/or plant administration environment, with a typical expectation of 3-4 days per week in the office and flexibility to work remotely based on business needs. Regular visits to operating facilities, warehouses, contractor work areas, and supplier locations are required to support sourcing activities, supplier evaluations, stakeholder engagement, and project execution. The position requires the ability to safely access industrial plant environments while complying with all applicable safety requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE) standards. Standard working hours apply; however, occasional travel and flexibility to support critical business needs, supplier meetings, negotiations, turnarounds, or project milestones may be required

All applicants must be eligible to work for any employer in the United States without needing any company sponsorship.