JOB TITLE: Raw Materials Procurement Specialist
LOCATION NAME: System Protection, El Paso, TX
COUNTRY: USA
BUSINESS UNIT: Systems Protection Group
REPORTS TO: Supply Chain Manager
DEPARTMENT : Supply Chain
REVISION Rev 9
REVISION DATE: May 21, 2026
SUMMARY: The Raw Materials Procurement Specialist is responsible for end-to-end raw material procurement execution, inventory control, and data-driven analysis that supports service, cash flow, and inventory reduction objectives. This role manages supplier releases, purchase orders, follow-up delivery, and system planning parameters while also driving inventory reduction actions through reporting, root cause analysis, visual management, and cross-functional reviews. The position requires strong ERP/MRP capability, analytical rigor, and the ability to convert data into clear actions, graphs, and PowerPoint presentations for decision-making across supply chain, operations, finance, quality, and leadership.
Procurement and supplier execution
- Manage end-to-end raw material procurement activities to support production requirements, inventory targets, and customer delivery performance
- Create, maintain, and execute blanket orders, purchase orders, spot buys, and supplier releases as required
- Monitor open purchase orders, track past-due lines, and expedite critical materials to prevent production disruption
- Partner with suppliers to improve on-time delivery, communication, responsiveness, and recovery plans for shortages or schedule changes
- Coordinate with logistics on transportation mode, shipment priorities, premium freight risks, and air shipment documentation including ATNs as required
- Support suppliers return activity in partnership with Quality and help drive timely disposition of rejected or nonconforming material
- Communicate routinely with internal and external sites to resolve raw material supply issues and support continuity of supply
Inventory reduction and planning discipline
- Lead and support inventory reduction actions for raw materials by identifying excess, obsolete, slow-moving, and past-due inventory drivers
- Analyze inventory trends, usage patterns, safety stock settings, reorder points, lead times, MOQ impacts, and forecast changes to recommend corrective actions
- Maintain and improve item master data, including planning parameters, safety stock, reorder points, lead times, and item classification
- Review inventory health on a regular cadence and escalate risks or opportunities related to overstock, shortages, and planning accuracy
- Partner with planning, operations, engineering, and finance to prioritize depletion actions, parameter corrections, supplier returns, and disposition decisions
- Support third-party raw material receipts, reporting, and inventory reconciliation activities
- Data analysis, reporting, and business communication
- Develop and maintain daily, weekly, and monthly raw material and inventory performance reports
- Use ERP/MRP, Excel, and other available tools to analyze supplier performance, inventory trends, shortages, past dues, forecast changes, and cash impact
- Create graphs, dashboards, and visual summaries that highlight inventory performance, risks, and reduction opportunities
- Prepare PowerPoint presentations for plant, staff, and leadership reviews with clear recommendations, actions, owners, and follow-up items
- Translate data into actionable insights that improve planning discipline, supplier performance, inventory accuracy, and working capital results
- Cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement
- Work closely with Purchasing, Engineering, Planning, Operations, Quality, Customer Service, Accounting, and Logistics to align material availability with business priorities
- Act as a liaison between planning and execution teams to resolve supply issues and improve response time
- Participate in continuous improvement efforts that simplify processes, improve data accuracy, and strengthen procurement and inventory control performance
- Support audits, quality requirements, and compliance to company, customer, and industry standards
- Perform other related duties as assigned by the Supply Chain Manager
Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field required. Equivalent combination of education and relevant procurement or materials experience may be considered
EXPERIENCE:
COMPETENCIES & QUALIFICATIONS:
ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Minimum Experience and Competencies required
- 3+ years of experience in raw material procurement, materials planning, purchasing, or supply chain operations in a manufacturing environment
- Experience managing supplier schedules, purchase orders, expedites, and material shortages
- Experience supporting inventory control, inventory reduction, and planning parameter maintenance
- Experience using ERP/MRP systems, preferably SAP
- Experience preparing data analysis, graphs, KPI summaries, and PowerPoint presentations for business reviews preferred
- Automotive or other high-volume manufacturing experience preferred
- Strong understanding of raw material procurement, inventory control, forecasting, and planning processes
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and recommend corrective actions
- Advanced Excel capability and strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint
- Ability to create clear graphs, dashboards, and visual presentations from operational data
- Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems; SAP experience strongly preferred
- Understanding of JIT, Kanban, planning parameters, and inventory management principles
- APICS certification is a plus
- Knowledge of supplier quality processes and PPAP requirements preferred
- Basic understanding of EDI systems preferred
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Strong organizational skills, follow-through, and attention to detail
- Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional, fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
- Willingness to travel as needed to support the position
- Strong technical problem-solving and analytical skills
- Project management and budgeting expertise
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles
- Ability to analyze data and generate actionable insights
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Project)
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work effectively across functions and at all organizational levels
- Demonstrated leadership, decision-making, and organizational skills
- Adhere to the policy and practice of refusing to tolerate or allow behavior defined by Tenneco as unsafe.
- Comply with Environmental Health & Safety Rules and Regulations. Understand and adhere to the EHS Cardinal Rules. Must be able to understand what hazards are associated with their position and how to minimize them.
- All accidents/injuries/near misses no matter how slight must be reported to any member of management, and/or Environmental Health & Safety Manager who will follow escalation process.
- Align with Tenneco Values:
- Radical Candor
- Organizational Velocity
- Simplification
- Tenacious Execution
- Win
- Each employee has the authority to initiate action to prevent a violation of the Code of Conduct.
- Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including Tenneco’s policies, procedures, and practices.
- Adheres and is compliant with the policies and procedures for IATF16949/AS9100 and other quality standards.
