The Americas Regional Road Sourcing Manager is the liaison between Supply Chain Deliver, Supply Chain Planning, and the Regional Road suppliers. This position is responsible for the procurement of high quality, timely and cost-effective services. Make decisions based on long term strategies and use of carriers, resolves escalated performance issues, and develops and executes any new supply chain procurement plans. Drives productivity (cost reduction/avoidance) to achieve optimized cost to serve while maintaining necessary service levels. The elected candidate ensures suppliers comply with government regulatory requirements, and Celanese’s safety standards and on-time performance. Works with team to develop and execute strategies to ensure maximum leverage of buy. 

Have a broad insight into over the road modes of transportation sourcing and use that knowledge to bring value and opportunities to Celanese. Collaborate closely with the Supply Chain Planning and Supply Chain Deliver functions to maintain alignment and considering the regional/local needs from a corporate perspective as well as individual business needs/strategies.

Essential Job Functions:

• Develop a working knowledge of FTL, LTL, Intermodal, dray and bulk (liquid and dry) regional transportation to ensure Global Logistics goals and service objectives are achieved.  The role requires a working knowledge of supply chain operations and more specifically the process flow and trade compliance. The position must ensure compliant, safe handling, shipping, and storage of Celanese product per scope of work.
• Lead and collaborate with Supply Chain Planning and Supply Chain Deliver functions in alignment with the business needs/strategy in analyzing logistical problems and to develop alternatives or new solutions to ensure reliable supply.
• Collaborate with regional procurement teams to implement RFQ’s for regional road modes (dry/ liquid bulk, LTL, FTL, dray, hazmat, etc.).
• Coordinate, consolidate, monitor and report on the category spend. Monitor and analyze expenditures and other financial information, to ensure that expenses are consistent with approved budgets and at optimal cost. Works on establishing new ways to reduce and/or eliminate costs to streamline and optimize the supply chain by conducting in-depth evaluations of carriers that ensures achieving the objectives and strategies.
• Develop, support and advise on service, procurement procedures, and processes; requisitions, selection, vendor contracts, and obtain the appropriate level of approvals.
• Maintain critical strategic supplier relationships to continually dialogue and develop “leading edge” ideas to further advance and create long term competitive advantage for the businesses. continuously develop as the subject matter expert for the regional road industry to ensure our internal client’s goals and service objectives are achieved. Acts as a consultant relative to market dynamics, capability of the suppliers, business drivers as well as industry best practices.  
• Develops team charters and facilitate regional council meetings to ensure best practices identified and leveraged.
• Mentors, coaches and guides direct reports and less experienced employees.

Sourcing & Procurement

• Understands Americas Regional Road and sub-categories to enhance Celanese competitive position in the marketplace.
• Develop and execute sourcing plans including supporting contract negotiations, managing supplier relations, database management and market analyses.
• Collaborate with the sourcing managers to negotiate and identify innovative solutions that support supplier consolidation, improved service, delivery, cost and lead times.

• Obtain proper balance between strategic Company needs, service requirements and cost factors.
• Manage procurement activities in accordance with the Global Procurement guiding principles.

• Procures or approves spot quotes for shipments without SAP freight rate when notified by Supply Chain Planning and Supply Chain Deliver.

Supplier Management

• Handles any escalated service issues that arise with various carriers that is beyond the scope of Supply Chain Deliver and Logistics Business Solutions.
• Assist with resolution of freight invoice discrepancies.

Compliance

• Periodically audits key carrier sites to ensure compliance with quality and responsible care.
• Monitor operations to ensure compliance with corporate administrative policies, procedures, contracts, and government regulations. Including determination of safety procedures for the handling of dangerous goods.

QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Supply Chain Management, Business, or Logistics related field
• 7-10 to years relevant work experience in Logistics, Planning, or Procurement
• Experience with negotiating contracts
• Petrochemical industry experience preferred

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Knowledge of the mode (daily operations, carriers, service lanes, quality and service standards, negotiation techniques, and follow-through, etc.)
• Knowledge of product specifications and appropriate method of shipment.
• Knowledge of how carriers operate and ability to judge their performance.

NECESSARY FUNCTIONAL SKILLS

• Analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to deal with cultural differences and regional issues.
• Knowledge of regional regulatory requirements.
• Strategy development and implementation of strategic plans.
• Knowledge of sourcing/purchasing methods and negotiation skills.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, both verbal and written.
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Excellent relationship building skills, both internally and externally.
• Good judgment and decision-making skills.
• Detail oriented and proactive to ensure maximum value captured.
• Financial and Business Acumen: interpreting and applying the understanding of key financial indicators to make better contractual decisions.
• Tech savvy:  ability to navigate the technical needs of Microsoft suite tools, SAP, TMS, Ariba, & other technical transportation solutions.
• Cultivates innovation:  Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
• Understanding and execution of escalation procedures to appropriate stakeholders in managing the supplier relationship.
• Working knowledge of Legal and Risk concepts and clauses in contracting
• Project Management skills to drive timely and cost-effective results on corporate initiatives and projects.
• Crisis Response support by mode to provide expertise and prompt resolution to market and environmental issues as they arise.