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Overview & Responsibilities

The Cremation Services Buyer III is responsible for executing strategic initiatives related to cremation products, services and metal recycling.  The primary objective is to support the cremation market segment by strengthening vendor relationships, driving process improvements, and collaborating with the Crematory Operations management team. Key responsibilities include negotiating agreements, optimizing purchasing strategies, and driving operational efficiencies through strategic collaboration with both internal teams and external partners. The position ensures alignment of procurement activities with organizational objectives, managing compliance, reporting, and payment processes, while leveraging SCI’s purchasing power to secure favorable pricing and streamline operations.

Additionally, this role is tasked with providing exceptional customer service to business units for cremation-related products and services. A forward-thinking, strategic approach is essential to anticipate future improvements and meet the evolving needs of Crematory Operations as this segment continues to experience significant growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Negotiate Master Relationship Agreements to align with the strategic needs of SCI and its business unitsCollaborate with Crematory Operations to plan and purchase retorts, securing volume discounts and ensuring timely delivery within pre-established timeframesUtilize SCI’s purchasing power to achieve optimal pricing and enhance customer service interactions between vendors and location personnelOversee the management of Coupa-hosted catalogs, ensuring product availability, timely updates, and efficient payment processes through approved channelsFoster strong vendor relationships in collaboration with the Crematory Operations team, ensuring prompt resolution of issuesManage vendor relationships related to cremation metal recycling, ensuring vendor compliance and comprehensive reportingMonitor cremation product and supply costs across key vendors, driving competitive pricing and maximizing volume-based discountsEnsure the accuracy of monthly billing and streamline payment processes for enhanced operational efficiencyCollaborate closely with the Accounts Payable and Center of Excellence teams to facilitate flat file uploads and purchase order creation, ensuring timely payments and maintaining transparency in outstanding balancesLead initiatives to improve processes for cremation vendor payments, focusing on increasing efficiency and minimizing reliance on manual workflowsUnderstand CEA requirements for task identification, proportional asset depreciation, and approved billing streams necessary for paymentRegularly navigate the CEA portal to ensure alignment between payments and CEA billing streamsSubmit monthly accrual reports promptly to accounts payable.Attend CANA and ICCFA conferences to engage with key cremation vendors and strengthen strategic partnershipsMaintain accurate records of contracts and vendor agreementsMonitor contract performance and renegotiate terms when necessaryKeep well-informed of industry trends, product innovations, and market conditions to inform purchasing decisionsEvaluate alternative suppliers, new products, and changes in technology that could benefit the company’s operationsIdentify potential risks in the supply chain and develop contingency plans to mitigate supply disruptions

Requirements & Qualifications

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

Proven experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain management, preferably within a service-based industryProficiency in Coupa and CEA billing streamsStrong contract negotiation skills and knowledge of SCI’s Master Relationship AgreementAbility to handle challenging situations and communicate with professionalism and effectivenessA commitment to personal accountability, continuous learning, and improvementExceptional attention to detail and advanced problem-solving skillsCapability to identify and recommend solutions to problems, simplify tasks, enhance outcomes, and optimize processesStrong business acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and analytical skillsExcellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to various stakeholder groupsA strong focus on providing outstanding customer service to internal clients.

This role:

Demonstrates an understanding of supply chain principles and cost challengesIs a non-management position with no direct reportsMay involve occasional travel to national conferences and vendor locations

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in business or a related field is preferredFive (5) years of experience in procurement or as a BuyerFive (5) years of experience engaging with managers and executivesFive (5) years of experience leading process improvement initiatives

Postal Code: 77019

Category (Portal Searching): Logistics

Job Location: US-TX - Houston