The Lead acts as the primary strategic liaison for Project Management and Engineering, driving critical sourcing and negotiation activities for major equipment and long-lead items. Key responsibilities include leading complex technical and commercial evaluations, negotiating favorable terms, ensuring alignment with project budgets, and proactively identifying and mitigating major supply chain risks.
This position requires a comprehensive understanding of fabrication processes, advanced supply chain logistics, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams and external suppliers to achieve aggressive project deadlines and maintain strict adherence to quality, ethical, and industry standards. Success in this role prepares the individual for the broader strategic and mentorship responsibilities of a Senior Project Procurement Lead.
Preferred Qualifications and Skills
- Minimum of 3+ years of progressive experience in Project Procurement, Project Coordination, or a buying role within the Oil & Gas fabrication/heavy industrial sector.
- Comprehensive understanding of end-to-end procurement, logistics, and supply chain processes in the industry, including advanced knowledge of international and local sourcing strategies.
- In-depth technical familiarity with the major equipment and highly engineered components relevant to Propak’s projects (i.e. compressors, valves, instrumentation).
- Proven ability to lead technical and commercial evaluations, with a track record of successfully analyzing vendor options, negotiating favorable supplier terms, and driving demonstrable cost-saving measures.
- Strategic thinker with a highly effective, creative approach to complex procurement challenges (i.e. long-lead time risk mitigation, single-source strategies).
- Highly developed analytical and critical thinking skills to support data-driven decision-making and project risk assessment.
- Exceptional ability to thrive in fast-paced project environments, confidently managing multiple, competing, high-priority project schedules with unwavering accuracy.
- Mastery of organization, detail orientation, and time-management required to manage complex documentation flow (RFQ/bid packages, approval drawings) and adapt to dynamic project needs.
- Advanced proficiency in leveraging ERP systems and project management software beyond basic entry (Microsoft Outlook and Excel expertise is essential).
- Unwavering commitment to ethical procurement practices and ensuring adherence to all industry and client-specific compliance requirements.
Working Conditions
- Office-based role with occasional visits to the shop floor and warehouse environments.
- Some visits to supplier locations.
- Standard 40-hour work weeks apply; however, flexibility is expected during peak project periods or critical deadlines to meet operational needs.
- Fast-paced, deadline-driven environment requiring adaptability, attention to detail, and effective multi-tasking.
Core Responsibilities
Project Ownership & Strategic Sourcing
- Complex Project Management: Assume full accountability and end-to-end management of procurement for medium-to-large size projects (i.e. compressor stations, centralized processing facilities, gas processing plants).
- Commercial Negotiation: Lead negotiations for major equipment and high-value components. Negotiate specific terms and conditions for new vendors and present these to Propak legal counsel for final review and approval.
- Contract Integrity: Display a full understanding of INCO terms and the legal implications of purchase orders; consistently ensure proper, accurate, and fully completed legal contracts are issued to vendors.
- Vendor Strategy: Provide recommended vendors and sourcing strategies when developing the Procurement Logs for a project, based on technical fit, commercial viability, and performance history.
- Strategic Execution: Employ strategic and creative approaches to overcome procurement and logistical challenges to consistently meet aggressive project schedules and objectives.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Integration
- Internal Liaison: Work closely with adjacent Propak teams (Engineering, Project Management, Fabrication, Buyers, etc.) to ensure material requirements are clearly understood, technically reviewed, and met, acting as the primary procurement representative.
- Information Mastery: Develop a detailed understanding of Work Orders to ensure seamless integration and collaboration between Engineering and Purchasing at every project phase.
- Material Flow Expertise: Apply project procurement practices and strategies based on a well-rounded understanding of material handling and operational flow, positively impacting material delivery through the fabrication shop and to site construction.
- Communication & Reporting: Lead procurement meetings with clear communication and detailed information; confidently report on material status and risk mitigation at weekly internal production meetings and project stakeholder meetings as required.
Risk Mitigation & Process Development
- Proactive Problem Solving: Be proactive in identifying, escalating, and resolving complex procurement-related issues and supply chain disruptions before they impact project timelines or budgets.
- Professional Representation: Display an unwavering ability to represent Propak professionally and positively in all work-related interactions, both on-site at Propak locations and off-site at business partner events.
- Process Improvement: Participate in the review and development and documentation of internal processes and work instructions related to project procurement.
- Financial Awareness: Possess a basic understanding of the role's effect on accounting practices and be able to assist in troubleshooting complex invoicing issues.
Mentorship & Development
- Team Development: Assist in the training of Project Expeditors or Project Procurement Coordinators in the basic standards and processes of project procurement at Propak.
- Cross-Training: Actively cross-train with peer procurement team for coverage purposes and to develop a broader, department-wide understanding of procurement practices.
The Project Procurement Lead role demands a high level of expertise and is expected to take 7 to 10 years for an individual to achieve consistent, expert proficiency across all areas. Responsibilities are grouped to reflect the required depth of commitment and specialization.