Location:
Houston, TX (HO) - Support functions - Hub CorporateWorld leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 80 countries with approximately 66,000 employees and serves more than 3,6 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902. Air Liquide’s ambition is to be the leader in its industry, delivering long-term performance and acting responsibly.
Strategic Sourcing & Category Management:
Lead planning and management of Strategic Sourcing events (including industry analysis, competitive bidding process, negotiation of commercial terms, and implementation) for categories under management
Develop a deep understanding of the global market, including conditions and competition
Monitor, assess, and adjust sourcing strategies based on supplier and market intelligence
Implement multiple strategies leveraging Total Cost of Ownership, Lease vs. Buy, and other models
Generate and execute Category strategies consistent with the Air Liquide framework
Coordinate and drive activities related to the annual planning process, working across various Procurement organizations and Operations
Understand the spend taxonomy structure, and identify managed vs. unmanaged spend
Contract Management & Supplier Relationships:
Provide oversight of contract management responsibilities for maintenance of all Frame Agreements within area of responsibility
Lead team in the evaluation of existing contract relationships to identify realized savings, new savings opportunities, risk mitigation strategies, and other commercial terms enhancements.
Evaluate contract relationships through bid analysis and market comparatives, including identifying savings realized and new potential opportunities
Leverage market intelligence to evaluate, negotiate, and manage annual price fluctuations. Leverage market intelligence to anticipate and act upon various supply chain challenges
Execute Supplier Relationship Management programs consistent with the Air Liquide framework
Utilize all Supply Chain technologies for Contract Management, Supplier Relationship Management, and Spend Analysis
Work independently with key suppliers to develop product curricula to enhance category knowledge
Collaboration & Stakeholder Management:
Champion the vision, goals, and objectives of the Procurement organization to both direct reports and customer/stakeholders. Ensure close coordination with local leaders in the business
Establish a network with stakeholders in the business to remain connected on key issues
Collaborate with Global Procurement on initiatives as-needed
Work collaboratively within Operations Support, Purchasing Services, Key Stakeholders, Americas Clusters, industry experts, and Global Procurement team to identify opportunities and initiatives
Meet with key customers routinely and proactively identify sourcing and contract value opportunities
Develop relationships with key customers to understand their service and commodity needs and implement strategies to maximize savings in the Capital Plan, Operating Expense Plan, and for emerging projects
Compliance & Reporting:
Responsible for ensuring compliance with internal processes, including but not limited to, contract filing processes, bidding processes, and value creation reporting processes
Partner with Legal to ensure current and continued compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements, policies, and procedures, both internal and external, to Air Liquide
Provide various reports as requested by department leader
Team Leadership & Development:
Train, manage, and counsel team to optimize individual and team performances and overall team execution, including best practices for strategic sourcing and category management
Responsible for evaluating and hiring talent into the department
Ensure appropriate skills development to enable professional growth
Strong written and verbal communication, team building and leadership and problem solving skills
Other:
Support emergency preparedness and emergency response situations to promote the safety of Air Liquide employees, contractors, and customers as well as business continuity.
SUPERVISION:
Received: Sr. Director, Category Management - Americas
Given: Sr. Category Specialist(s), Category Specialist(s)
WORK CONDITIONS: Office Environment
EDUCATION:
Required: Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, finance, accounting, or other business related fields
Preferred: Advanced degree in business, management, or related field
EXPERIENCE:
Required: Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in Supply Chain Management organizations
Our Differences make our Performance
At Air Liquide, we are committed to build a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.
We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their background. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.