Summary
The Buyer III is a strategic and experienced professional responsible for the independent management of complex procurement, planning, and global logistics functions. This role involves sourcing and negotiating with international and domestic suppliers, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring the timely, cost-effective acquisition and delivery of materials and services while maintaining strict compliance with international trade regulations. Buyer III will leverage strong analytical skills to optimize procurement processes, manage inventory, and contribute to strategic initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and profitability. This position requires autonomy, leadership, and a deep understanding of end-to-end supply chain best practices.
Key Responsibilities
- Procurement & Strategic Sourcing:
- Independently manage the full procurement cycle for diverse, technical, and high-value materials and services, including global sourcing initiatives.
- Develop and execute strategic sourcing plans to identify and qualify new suppliers, ensuring a robust and reliable global supply base.
- Issue and manage complex RFQs, RFPs, and bids, conducting comprehensive price and cost analysis to secure optimal terms and total cost of ownership (TCO) including freight.
- Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with domestic and international suppliers, resolving any disputes or conflicts independently.
- Global Logistics & Trade Compliance:
- Coordinate the logistics of all international and domestic shipments, including arranging transport via road, air, and sea freight.
- Ensure strict compliance with all U.S. and international import/export laws and regulations (e.g., customs valuation, tariff classification, trade agreements).
- Manage all required customs documentation (commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, etc.) and coordinate with customs brokers to facilitate timely clearance.
- Monitor and manage freight forwarder performance, conducting regular reviews and audits to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Identify and mitigate logistics and trade compliance risks within the supply chain, developing contingency plans for potential disruptions.
- Planning & Inventory Management:
- Collaborate with production and planning teams to forecast material needs and align procurement activities with master production schedules.
- Utilize advanced data analysis to optimize inventory levels, implement cost reduction strategies, and prevent stockouts or overstocking.
- Proactively manage and mitigate general supply chain risks by identifying potential issues with suppliers or logistics.
- Leadership & Collaboration:
- Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and support to junior procurement staff.
- Collaborate with cross-functional departments (Engineering, Production, Accounting, Trade Compliance) to streamline processes and support organizational goals.
- Lead special projects focused on implementing best practices and continuous improvement within the supply chain.
Skills/Knowledge
- Expert-level knowledge of procurement principles, strategic sourcing, and contract negotiation.
- In-depth understanding of international shipping Incoterms, customs regulations, and global logistics procedures.
- Strong analytical skills with proven experience in cost/price analysis and supply chain data interpretation.
- Proficiency in ERP systems, advanced procurement software, and the MS Office Suite.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
- Fluency in Spanish (both written and verbal) is considered a strong asset/highly desired, especially for coordinating with international vendors and partners.
Education
- High School Diploma required.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.
Experience
- 5+ years of progressive experience in a procurement or purchasing role, with a focus on international sourcing and logistics management.
About FET
FET (Forum Energy Technologies, Inc.) is a global company, serving the crude oil, natural gas, and renewable energy industries. FET is headquartered in Houston, TX with quality manufacturing, efficient distribution, and service facilities conveniently located to support the major energy-producing regions of the world. Forum’s products and services range from the underwater reservoir to the refinery, from the sea floor to the above ground transportation line. We pride ourselves on giving you a comprehensive offering of solutions to maximize your operations and improve your bottom line. Our customers are our partners and we work with them to solve their ever-changing challenges.
FET is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FET does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected under federal, state, or local law. All employment decisions and practices at FET are subject to the foregoing non-discrimination provisions and are based solely on merit, competence, performance, and business needs at the time.
FET participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. FET participa en E-Verify y proporcionará al gobierno federal la información de su Formulario I-9 para confirmar que usted está autorizado para trabajar en los EE.UU..
As part of our hiring process, we may use technology, including AI-enabled tools, to help review and assess applications based on job-related criteria. All hiring decisions are made by our recruitment team and hiring managers.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
