The posting
To manage the buying process for a given set of goods, apply sourcing policies and acting as the key interface between suppliers and the business with respect to specifications, schedules, priorities, and budgets.
The Senior Buyer is responsible for the end-to-end operational execution and performance of an assigned procurement portfolio, ensuring Purchase Orders are placed, maintained, and executed accurately, suppliers meet their commitments, ERP information remains current, and procurement risks and exceptions are proactively identified and resolved.
The position requires a thorough understanding and practical application of procurement approaches, theories, and methodologies within a complex organizational environment, combined with strong analytical capabilities, supplier management, sense of urgency and cross-functional leadership.
Responsibilities, Authorities and Accountabilities
- Place and follow up on Purchase Orders and manage supplier relationships throughout PO execution.
- Manage PO problems, schedule changes, acknowledgements, cancellations, push-outs, pull-ins, and other approved purchasing requirements.
- Maintain accurate and current PO information in ERP/SAP.
- Maintain end-to-end visibility of assigned POs, open actions, priorities, risks, delays, dependencies, and escalations.
- Proactively follow up with suppliers on open orders, delivery commitments, and PO acknowledgements.
- Identify material availability and delivery risks before they impact operations and drive suppliers toward timely resolution.
- Review and execute assigned MRP exception messages and approved Planning requirements, including schedule changes, cancellations, quantity changes, push-outs, and pull-ins.
- Communicate PO changes to suppliers and follow through to confirmation or documented exception.
- Monitor PO and PIR alignment and coordinate the resolution of discrepancies with the appropriate Sourcing stakeholders.
- Investigate and support resolution of blocked invoices, PO/invoice discrepancies, quantity differences, Goods Receipt issues, and other transactional exceptions.
- Partner with Suppliers, Planning, Sourcing, Manufacturing, Accounts Payable, Finance, and other Supply Chain stakeholders to drive issues to closure.
- Monitor Procurement KPIs and use data to identify priorities, exceptions, recurring issues, and operational risks.
- Use SAP, Excel, Power BI, and other Procurement systems and dashboards to analyze the assigned portfolio and support fact-based decision making.
- Identify root causes of recurring issues and implement sustainable corrective actions.
- Maintain reliable Procurement data and supporting documentation for assigned purchasing activities.
- Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, automate, and continuously improve Procurement processes.
- Handle communication with direct colleagues, suppliers, and the business regarding Procurement activities, priorities, risks, and issues.
- Provide clear, fact-based escalations that identify the issue, root cause, business impact, actions taken, and recommended next steps.
- Influence stakeholders and suppliers to drive timely resolution of operational issues.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college, or a high school diploma / GED with at least 4 years of relevant Sourcing or Procurement experience.
- Demonstrated experience in Purchase Order management and supplier execution.
- Strong understanding of Procurement and Supply Chain processes.
- Experience working with ERP systems, preferably SAP.
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced operational environment.
- Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
Desired Characteristics
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Demonstrated ownership and accountability with the ability to independently drive issues to closure.
- Ability to influence others and lead small teams or initiatives.
- Ability to lead projects of moderate scope and impact.
- Effective problem identification, root-cause analysis, and solution skills.
- Proven analytical and organizational capabilities.
- Strong working knowledge of SAP, Microsoft Excel, and Power BI.
- Experience with MRP, materials planning, and supplier delivery management.
- Understanding of invoice, GR/IR, and Accounts Payable exception resolution.
- Ability to analyze large datasets and translate information into clear priorities and actions.
- Strong supplier management and negotiation skills.
- Ability to identify operational risks and escalate them proactively with clear recommendations.
- Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to challenge inefficient processes and implement practical solutions.
- Ability to work effectively across Planning, Sourcing, Procurement, Finance, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain organizations.
What Success Looks Like
- A successful Senior Buyer demonstrates ownership beyond transactional PO processing and takes accountability for the performance of the assigned procurement portfolio.
- The Senior Buyer is expected to:
- Maintain accurate and current information in SAP/ERP.
- Understand the status, priorities, and risks of the assigned portfolio.
- Execute PO and MRP actions accurately and on time.
- Proactively manage suppliers rather than react to delivery issues.
- Maintain strong PO acknowledgement and supplier delivery performance.
- Ensure transactional and pricing data are accurate and appropriately aligned.
- Identify procurement and material availability risks early.
- Drive issues through closure without requiring continuous management follow-up.
- Resolve problems through root-cause analysis rather than temporary workarounds.
- Use data and KPIs to prioritize workload and focus on the areas with the greatest business impact.
- Escalate issues early with clear facts, business impact, actions taken, and proposed solutions.
- Build effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, and automate Procurement activities.
- Continuously improve the performance, reliability, and efficiency of the assigned portfolio.
Work in a way that works for you
We recognize that everyone is different and that the way in which people want to work and deliver at their best is different for everyone too. In this role, we can offer flexible working patterns while balancing the importance of collaboration and on-site engagement for project delivery and stakeholder alignment.
Working with us
Our people are at the heart of what we do at Baker Hughes. We know we are better when all of our people are developed, engaged, and able to bring their whole authentic selves to work. We invest in the health and well-being of our workforce, train and reward talent, and develop leaders at all levels to bring out the best in each other.
Working for you
Our inventions have revolutionized energy for over a century. But to keep going forward tomorrow, we know we must push the boundaries today. We prioritize rewarding those who embrace change with a package that reflects how much we value their input. Join us, and you can expect:
- Contemporary work-life balance policies and wellbeing activities
- Comprehensive private medical care options
- Safety net of life insurance and disability programs
- Tailored financial programs
- Additional elected or voluntary benefits
Additional Information
This position requires valid work authorization in the country of employment. The employer is unable to sponsor work authorization for this role at any time.
You will be eligible to participate in Company-sponsored benefit programs, including health & welfare programs and the Thrift Plan (401k). You will have a choice of coverage options that best suit your needs. Coverage options and contribution amounts are related to your benefit elections, base salary level, and specific requirements of each of these plans.
This position is eligible for our comprehensive and competitive benefits package, which can be found here, and is further eligible for additional forms of compensation such as bonuses subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plans or policies.
The Baker Hughes internal title for this role is: Sourcing Specialist - Buying/Procurement
