Role Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join us as a Strategic Sourcing Partner based in The Woodlands, Texas. The role will be responsible for the procurement of vitamins, minerals, feed and soil additives, and maintenance spare parts across Westway’s liquid feed manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Canada.  This position will play a critical part in supporting plant operations by ensuring timely, cost-effective and reliable sourcing of key ingredients and maintenance materials. The Strategic Sourcing Partner will collaborate closely with site operations, sales, formulation and wider greater procurement teams to align sourcing strategies with business goals and drive continuous improvement in supplier performance and cost management.

Position Title: Strategic Sourcing Partner

Business area: Liquid Products

Division: Westway Feed Products

Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Position Type: Full-time

Schedule: Office based

Business Overview

Westway Feed Products is North America’s largest manufacturer of liquid supplements for livestock. Additionally, we produce feed mill products, dried molasses and industrial products. The core concept of Westway’s business is to utilize co-products from other industries and convert them into safe, high-quality, cost effective, livestock feed supplements. While Westway’s primary ingredient for many of our products is molasses, we also incorporate other co-products. The concept of utilizing these co-products is the foundation of our sustainability platform. Today, Westway operates 22 production facilities across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Our geographic reach allows for products to be developed according to environmental and production system variations across the country.

Westway, a division within ED&F Man, is owned by Hartree Partners, LP a leading global merchant commodities firm facilitating the flow of energy, metals, agriculture, and environmental products across the full commodity supply chain, connecting producers and consumers. Hartree was founded in 1997, is jointly owned by senior management and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, LP, and employs around 5,000 individuals worldwide.

Key Accountabilities:

• Leads the sourcing of vitamins, minerals, feed and soil additives for Westway’s liquid feed plants across the S. and Canada, ensuring optimal landed cost, timely delivery and customer requirements are met.
• Develops and manages demand and supply plans for assigned categories, working with sales, formulation and production to establish forecasts, purchasing volumes and plant delivery
• Coordinates regular supply planning activities, balancing supplier volumes, plant inventory and customer demand, and develops category purchasing strategies based on forecasts, market conditions and supply
• Negotiates supplier contracts, pricing, commercial terms and rebate agreements to optimize total cost of
• Monitors commodity markets, pricing trends and supply chain risks, proactively addressing potential shortages, price changes and supply
• Supports new product development and reformulation by identifying alternative ingredients and evaluating supplier
• Builds and maintains strong supplier relationships, ensuring consistent product quality, competitive pricing and reliable delivery, and regularly reviews supplier
• Ensures suppliers meet applicable regulatory, safety and quality standards, working with quality/technical teams on supplier approvals and
• Maintains accurate supplier, contract and pricing information within procurement systems and ensures compliance with company procurement policies and
• Identifies and implements cost-saving initiatives and process improvements, contributing to cross-functional and strategic sourcing projects that support business
• Identifies and evaluates new ingredients and co-products within the designated region that align with Westway’s formulations and sustainability objectives, working with formulation and quality/technical teams to assess nutritional suitability, quality, consistency, regulatory compliance and
• Develops commercial relationships with prospective suppliers, managing opportunities from initial contact and sampling through supplier approval and ongoing supply
• Coordinates logistics, handling, storage and operational requirements for new ingredients, working with sales, operations, logistics, formulation and quality/technical teams to ensure freight, receiving, storage, plant trials and HSE requirements are addressed before commercial
• Develops supply agreements and negotiates pricing, volumes and commercial terms for newly sourced
• Manages the transition of new ingredients into regular supply, balancing supplier availability, plant requirements and customer
• Takes the initiative to identify and resolve supplier and supply chain issues, including quality variations, supply shortages, handling challenges and pricing disputes, ensuring opportunities are converted into commercial
• Maintains a structured pipeline of new ingredient opportunities, tracking supplier leads, product trials, approvals and commercial

Skills and Experience

• 5+ years’ experience in strategic sourcing, procurement or supply chain management, preferably within the feed, food or agricultural industry.
• Proven experience in supplier negotiations and relationship management, including contracts, pricing and rebate agreements.
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business administration, agriculture, animal science or a related field.
• Experience in converting business opportunities into commercial success, working collaboratively across commercial, operational and technical teams.
• Proficient in ERP systems, preferably Microsoft Dynamics 365 and other procurement-related software.
• Strong analytical skills, including landed cost and total cost of ownership analysis, with advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively across departments and sites.
• Strong attention to detail, with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) or Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM), or willingness to obtain certification within two years.
• Flexible and willing to travel up to 15%, including visits to suppliers and plants within the designated scouting region.
• Previous experience of sourcing feed ingredients and additives is desirable, including supplier networks within the designated region is preferred
• Experience with bulk liquid ingredient logistics, storage and handling and knowledge of U.S. and Canadian feed regulatory requirements is advantageous

We recognise that talent comes in many forms, and we value potential just as much as experience. If this role excites you but you don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.

Our Offer

We provide a fast-paced, stimulating and truly global environment, which will stretch your abilities and channel your talents. We also offer competitive salary and benefits combined with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the global leaders in soft commodity trading.

Our Westway Values

Integrity, Accountability, Teamwork, Passion for Service, Business Insight

Westway’s values guide our pursuit of providing a safe and rewarding environment for our employees while helping our customers to thrive.

Our Commitment

We are committed to maintaining a work environment where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. We provide equal opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, sex, gender, age, religion, ethnic or national origin, marital or civil partner status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

To apply you must have the right to work for the provided location.