Freelance — Senior Indirect Procurement Manager SAP

📋 Tasks and responsibilities

This role supports the procurement function at a manufacturing site in Texas and focuses on strengthening local indirect procurement activities, supplier management, and the execution of regional and global procurement strategies at site level. The position serves as the main procurement point of contact for local stakeholders and works closely with management, engineering, operations, finance, and other corporate functions to ensure compliant, efficient, and value-oriented procurement delivery.

The assignment combines strategic sourcing with hands-on operational support in a fast-paced, matrix-based industrial environment. The scope includes source-to-pay improvements, supplier performance follow-up, risk reduction, and alignment with sustainability and governance expectations across indirect spend categories such as site services, MRO, construction, capital projects, and equipment.

• Adapt and implement regional or global category strategies to fit local operational needs while ensuring strong day-to-day site support.
• Create site-specific sourcing plans and category profiles, including supplier segmentation and risk assessment.
• Lead RFQ/RFP processes, commercial evaluations, supplier selection, negotiations, and contract drafting for indirect procurement needs.
• Ensure purchase orders, contracts, supplier onboarding, and procurement documentation are completed correctly and on time in line with applicable systems and procedures.
• Deliver added value through competitive tendering, cost avoidance, efficiency improvements, and savings initiatives.
• Manage supplier-related risks and safeguard compliance with procurement policies, internal controls, and sustainability or ESG requirements.
• Set up KPIs, supplier scorecards, and recurring review routines for key indirect suppliers.
• Track progress against plans, maintain clear status reporting, and escalate issues to leadership when needed.
• Act as the primary procurement partner for site stakeholders by clarifying needs, aligning priorities, and driving timely resolution.
• Collaborate closely with legal, finance, operations, engineering, and procurement teams to support sound contracting, effective governance, and continuity of supply.

Technical profile requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field; an MBA or similar advanced qualification is an advantage.
• At least 5 years of procurement experience in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
• Strong background in indirect procurement categories such as site services, MRO, construction, capital projects, or equipment.
• Good knowledge of sourcing, contract negotiation, supplier performance management, spend analysis, and cost optimisation.
• Solid command of SAP and Excel; experience with ERP or procurement platforms and reporting tools such as Power BI or Ariba is strongly preferred.
• Sound understanding of procurement compliance, contract governance, and risk management in a site-based environment.

Non-Technical profile requirements

• Strategic mindset combined with a pragmatic, hands-on approach to daily execution and issue resolution.
• Ability to work independently in a matrix organisation while balancing local and corporate priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including stakeholder reporting, meeting facilitation, issue escalation, and documentation.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust, challenge constructively, and collaborate across functions.
• Well organised, responsive, results-oriented, and attentive to detail, with strong ownership and follow-through.
• Comfortable dealing with ambiguity, bringing structure where needed, and driving topics to closure in a disciplined way.

Methodology/Certification requirements

• Experience with strategic sourcing, RFx processes, supplier segmentation, KPI or scorecard management, and source-to-pay improvement is required.
• Professional certification such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, CPIM, APICS, or Lean / Six Sigma is preferred.
• Previous exposure to procurement governance, internal controls, and contract review processes is preferred.

Language proficiencies

• Fluent English, both written and spoken.

Location

• Hybrid working model with 2 days from home and 3 days on site or in the office.
• Work location: Pasadena, Texas, United States.

💼 Offer

You will be part of a growing Belgian SME where initiative and personal development are encouraged. We will provide you with an enjoyable work environment with fun colleagues. We will work out a career plan with you, with attention and a budget for extra education/certification. You can count on an attractive salary, supplemented with extra-legal benefits, including a company car.
(Freelance is also possible)