Principal Buyer

The Procurement Principal Buyer supports TPC Group's safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations by leading complex sourcing initiatives and procuring materials and services that deliver the best total value to the organization. Reporting to a Category Manager, this role independently executes complex sourcing and contracting activities in support of assigned category strategies and business priorities established by the Category Manager while serving as a procurement resource for internal stakeholders and other members of the Procurement team.

The successful candidate combines strong analytical capability, sound business judgment, and deep procurement expertise to manage high-impact sourcing initiatives while collaborating across functions in a fast-paced, changing environment. This position requires initiative, integrity, adaptability, and a continuous improvement mindset while helping advance Procurement Excellence throughout the organization.

List the core functions and daily responsibilities.

• Execute sourcing initiatives and commercial negotiations consistent with category strategies, procurement priorities, and business objectives established by the Category Manager. Execute sourcing strategies developed in collaboration with the Category Manager while recommending opportunities to improve commercial outcomes, supplier performance, and total value.
• Lead competitive sourcing events (RFPs, RFQs, auctions, and negotiations), ensuring a fair, transparent, and compliant procurement process.
• Analyze supplier proposals using commercial, financial, operational, and risk considerations to develop well-supported sourcing recommendations.
• Negotiate complex commercial agreements, pricing structures, contract terms, and service level expectations to achieve optimal business outcomes.

Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, procurement procedures, delegated authority requirements, and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) controls

• Develop and maintain strong commercial relationships with strategic suppliers while serving as the primary procurement contact for assigned supplier portfolios.
• Manage supplier performance by monitoring contract compliance, service quality, delivery performance, commercial issues, and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Lead resolution of complex supplier performance and commercial issues in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Manage contracts throughout their lifecycle, including implementation, amendments, renewals, and closeout.
• Identify supplier risks and collaborate with stakeholders to develop appropriate mitigation strategies.

Support supplier qualification activities, audits, and contractor compliance requirements, including ISNetworld and other applicable supplier management processes.

• Analyze spend data, supplier performance, and market conditions to identify sourcing opportunities and commercial improvements.
• Develop financial analyses including total cost of ownership evaluations, pricing comparisons, savings analyses, and business cases supporting sourcing recommendations.
• Monitor commodity markets, supplier capabilities, and industry trends to provide market intelligence to internal stakeholders.
• Track and report savings realization, contract compliance, supplier performance, and other procurement performance metrics.

Evaluate commercial alternatives and recommend solutions balancing cost, risk, operational requirements, and long-term value

• Serve as a trusted procurement advisor by understanding stakeholder objectives and providing commercially sound sourcing recommendations.
• Lead cross-functional sourcing teams involving Operations, Maintenance, Capital, EHSS, Finance, Legal, and other business functions.
• Build consensus among stakeholders during sourcing events while balancing operational priorities, commercial objectives, and procurement best practices.
• Anticipate procurement risks, supply disruptions, and commercial issues, proactively developing solutions before they impact the business.

Present sourcing recommendations, negotiation strategies, and supplier evaluations to stakeholders and leadership in alignment with Category Manager direction

Identify and implement procurement process improvements that enhance efficiency, compliance, and stakeholder experience.

Promote adoption of procurement best practices, sourcing tools, and standard work processes.

Mentor Buyers and Associate Buyers by sharing procurement knowledge, commercial expertise, and lessons learned.

Support development and refinement of procurement templates, sourcing methodologies, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Maintain awareness of procurement trends, market developments, and emerging technologies to improve procurement effectiveness

• Anticipate sourcing, supplier, and commercial challenges and proactively…