Head, Supply Chain

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Full Time Senior Management Houston Office, Houston, TX, US

Sterling is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Head of Supply Chain to lead the company's end-to-end supply chain organization across its chemical manufacturing and energy services businesses.

This role will have responsibility for Sourcing & Procurement, Planning, Logistics & Distribution, Inventory Management, and S&OPwith a strong focus on improving service, reducing working capital, optimizing our manufacturing and distribution network, and delivering sustainable cost improvements.

The Head of Supply Chain will be a member of the senior leadership team and will work closely with Commercial, Manufacturing, Finance, Technology and business leaders to build a more integrated, responsive and cost-effective supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall Sterling supply chain strategy and organization.
• Own Sourcing & Procurement, including raw material strategy, supplier negotiations, contracting, dual sourcing and supply-risk management.
• Lead S&OP and demand/supply planning, connecting commercial forecasts with manufacturing capacity, inventory and procurement.
• Optimize inventory levels while maintaining customer service and supply reliability.
• Lead logistics, transportation, warehousing, terminals and distribution strategy.
• Improve freight, railcar, truck, warehouse and third-party logistics costs.
• Develop and execute supply-chain cost-reduction and productivity programs with clear financial targets.
• Establish strategic supplier relationships and improve purchasing leverage across Sterling businesses.
• Identify and manage risks related to critical raw materials, international sourcing and supply disruptions.
• Partner with Manufacturing to optimize plant loading, production planning and the overall manufacturing/distribution footprint.
• Drive improvement in working capital, including raw material, finished goods and stagnant/obsolete inventory.
• Establish clear KPIs for service, inventory, forecast accuracy, supplier performance, logistics cost and working capital.
• Support the development of systems, data and processes required for a more integrated supply chain.
• Build and develop a strong supply chain leadership team and organization.

Candidate Profile

• 15+ years of progressive supply chain experience, preferably in chemicals, energy, oil & gas, specialty chemicals or industrial manufacturing.
• Significant leadership experience across several supply chain functions, not only procurement or logistics.
• Strong experience with global sourcing and strategic procurement.
• Demonstrated success improving inventory, working capital and supply-chain costs.
• Strong understanding of S&OP, manufacturing planning and distribution networks.
• Experience managing complex raw-material and supplier relationships.
• Strong financial and commercial mindset with the ability to translate operational actions into EBITDA and cash impact.
• Experience leading organizational and process transformation.
• ERP/SAP experience strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or relevant supply chain certification preferred.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will create a more integrated Sterling supply chain with better customer service, lower inventory and working capital, stronger supplier management, improved planning discipline, lower logistics and procurement costs, and clear accountability across the organization.