Celanese

Senior Associate Specialist, Procurement Operations

Celanese$70K — $95K *
Business Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • High School Diploma required, BA/BS in related field preferred
  • 2-5 years of experience in Procurement/Supply Chain, contract negotiation experience preferred
  • Strong knowledge of Procurement processes and Requisition-to-Pay (RTP) workflow
  • Experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts
  • Proficiency in MS Office, SAP, Outlook, SharePoint
  • Excellent analytical, planning, and communication skills
  • Understanding of Safety, Health, and Environmental standards

Responsibilities

  • Lead sourcing events (RFQs, RFPs) and manage end-to-end bid processes
  • Develop, write, negotiate, and execute supply agreements and service contracts
  • Manage supplier relationships and performance
  • Identify and implement cost savings opportunities
  • Execute dual sourcing strategies to mitigate supply risk
  • Align with European counterparts on Packaging and seek synergies
  • Conduct supplier evaluations and risk assessments
  • Oversee vendor-managed and consignment inventory programs
  • Monitor market conditions and risk indicators
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams on sourcing initiatives

Benefits

  • Opportunity to lead sourcing for significant product categories
  • Engagement in high-value supplier negotiations
  • Supportive organizational culture with a focus on professional growth
  • Collaboration with international teams for global alignment
  • Involvement in strategic supply chain initiatives
  • Flexibility to adapt to dynamic work environments
Full Job Description
Overview:

The Senior Associate Specialist, Procurement Operations is responsible for independently managing sourcing, contracting, and supplier performance for a broad portfolio of products and services, including full ownership of the U.S. mid-size MRO accounts and Packaging categories. Leads competitive bids, drafts and negotiates commercial contracts, and manages suppliers with annual spend exceeding $2M USD. Partners with business and functional leaders to develop and execute sourcing strategies that optimize cost, quality, delivery, and risk mitigation. Ensures security of supply through effective contract management, vendor oversight, and proactive issue resolution. Provides guidance to Associate-level Buyers and contributes to broader supply chain initiatives. This position is located in Hopewell, Virginia.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead sourcing events (RFQs, RFPs) and manage end-to-end bid processes
  • Develop, write, negotiate, and execute supply agreements and service contracts
  • Manage supplier relationships and performance
  • Develop and execute on cost savings opportunities for the business
  • Develop and execute dual sourcing strategies, reducing supply risk
  • Global alignment with European counterparts on Packaging and other areas where synergies exist
  • Conduct supplier qualification, evaluations, and ongoing risk assessments
  • Manage purchase orders and ensure compliance to contract terms
  • Resolve invoice discrepancies and commercial issues
  • Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, service levels, lead times, and freight terms
  • Support forecasting, inventory strategies, and supply continuity
  • Oversee vendor-managed and consignment inventory programs
  • Monitor market conditions, cost drivers, and risk indicators
  • Partner with cross-functional teams (Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, EH&S) on sourcing initiatives
  • Support capital project procurement requirements
  • Support to regional sourcing strategy development and execution


Qualifications:

  • High School Diploma required
  • BA/BS in Business, Economics, Supply Chain, or related field strongly preferred
  • 2-5 years of Procurement/Supply Chain experience required; contract negotiation experience strongly preferred
  • Strong knowledge of Procurement processes and Requisition-to-Pay (RTP) workflow
  • Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts
  • Proficiency in MS Office, SAP, Outlook, SharePoint
  • Strong analytical capability; ability to gather and interpret complex data
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong planning, time-management, and organizational abilities
  • Knowledge of local, regional, and national supplier markets
  • Ability to work across all organizational levels and build strong stakeholder relationships
  • Understanding of Safety, Health, and Environmental standards
  • Demonstrated ethical decision-making
  • Flexibility to support occasional evening/weekend work.

Competencies
  • Problem identification and resolution
  • Information gathering and analysis
  • Strategic option development
  • Timely decision-making and execution
  • Stakeholder engagement and collaboration
  • Customer focus and service orientation
  • Understanding of supply chain and business operations
  • Adaptability, openness to change, and situational flexibility
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to prioritize and operate with a "continuous improvement" mindset

About Celanese

Celanese is a global technology and specialty materials company that engineers and manufactures a wide variety of products essential to everyday living.You can "Be in Your Element" at Celanese. We know it’s people who drive our innovation-focused growth strategy, and we know that the best people will thrive in a culture that both challenges and rewards performance financially and with new opportunities and innovation. Celanese is committed to research and development, will give you opportunities to work on interesting projects, and will challenge and reward your success.

Celanese Careers

Join the vibrant team at Celanese, a global leader in chemical and specialty materials, where innovation and sustainability drive groundbreaking solutions across industries. At Celanese, we are committed to improving the world through our materials, and there has never been a better time to explore the job opportunities available within our expansive network.

Work You’ll Do

Embark on a career at Celanese where you can use your skills to make a significant impact. Our company thrives on diversity and leadership, fostering a culture where every team member is a key player in our shared mission. With Celanese, you will engage in work that pushes the boundaries of materials science to enhance global industries.

Innovate and Lead

Join a team where innovation is at the core of everything we do. At Celanese, you will collaborate with over 7,500 dedicated professionals globally, who are leaders in technology, sustainability, and market solutions. Our leadership in the industry is driven by a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, ensuring that we always stay ahead of the curve.

Grow Your Career

Celanese is not just a company; it's a place where you can grow your professional career through continuous learning and opportunities. From leadership development programs to diversity training, our commitment to your career growth is unwavering. We believe in nurturing talent through professional development and providing the tools needed for your career journey.

Be Part of Our Team

Experience the power of networking and collaboration at Celanese. Our culture promotes an inclusive environment where ideas thrive and innovation flourishes. We are hiring creative and solution-driven team players who are ready to contribute to our dynamic environment. Explore a range of positions, from internships to full-time roles, and find where you fit best.

Benefits and Culture

At Celanese, we understand that our employees are our greatest asset, which is why we offer competitive benefits designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our team members and their families. From comprehensive health benefits to performance bonuses, our benefits package is designed to enhance your life and grow your career.

Explore Job Opportunities

Whether you're updating your resume, preparing for an interview, or seeking new challenges, Celanese offers a variety of job opportunities to propel your career forward. Our hiring process is designed to identify and attract professionals who are passionate about their work and eager to make a difference.

Stay Connected

Join the Celanese team and be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and a diverse workforce. Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, and driven individuals to join our global team.

SEARCH CELANESE JOBS

Keep up to date with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here.

READ CAREERS BLOG

Job Alert Emails Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Celanese. Join Celanese today and be part of a team that is dedicated to making a difference in the world through innovative solutions and sustainable practices. Your future starts here!
Learn more about Celanese
Size
8,529 employees
Market Cap
$11 billion
Industry
Net Income
$1.9 billion
Founded
1918
5 Year Trend
+9.6%
Revenue
$5.6 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Celanese

More Business Services Jobs

Find similar Senior Associate Specialist, Procurement Operations jobs: