Procurement Analyst

Canal Barge Company

JOB DESCRIPTION

Procurement Analyst

Canal Barge Company (CBC), headquartered in New Orleans, is a leading company in the inland marine industry with a history of steady growth and an exceptional human & environmental safety record. We believe CBC's Mississippi River transportation system is among the most efficient and environmentally friendly methods of transporting cargo within the United States. CBC has grown into a diversified business with 900+ employees operating over 900 vessels. Our greatest strength is in providing dedicated bulk freight logistics within the rivers and canals of the United States, Gulf of Mexico, & Atlantic Coast. Dedicated to long-term mutually beneficial relationships and tailor-made customer service, CBC has a strong customer base made up of several Fortune 500 chemical and oil companies, as well as construction companies, fabricators, public utilities, engineering companies, and the United States Government.

I. ABOUT THE ROLE

This position will manage Procurement functions within the Procurement Center of Excellence at CBC working closely with all business units. The ideal candidate embraces teamwork and customer service within an autonomous position. They are data-driven problem-solver that utilizes excellent communication skills to support business leaders and build trusting relationships. If you want the opportunity to increase efficiency, reduce costs, identify and improve suppliers to improve outcomes, you will enjoy this position.

II. BASIC FUNCTION

The Procurement Analyst supports Canal Barge's strategic sourcing and purchasing activities by analyzing spend, supplier performance, procurement workflows, and cost-saving opportunities across the company. The role evaluates procurement data for trends and inefficiencies, assists in optimizing purchasing systems and processes, and collaborates with internal stakeholders to improve value, service quality, and operational alignment. This position also contributes to vendor management, business system analysis, and cross-departmental initiatives that enhance procurement effectiveness and organizational efficiency.

III. RESPONSIBILITIES

The Procurement Analyst has the following responsibilities:

A. Procurement Analysis & Value Optimization

• Analyze procurement strategies and spend data to identify efficiency gains, cost-reduction opportunities, and improved buying practices.
• Assess repair-vs-replace decisions using lifecycle, cost, and operational considerations.
• Index and monitor pricing history for critical materials such as fuel and statistically evaluate pricing trends.

B. Systems, Technology & Process Improvement

• Support development, testing, and implementation of procurement-related systems and tools (e.g., Sinex, Procurify, Workday), including documenting requirements and validating enhancements.
• Create or refine process documentation, logic flows, and user workflows that improve purchasing efficiency and data accuracy.
• Assist in the development of dashboards and reports in Tableau, Excel, or Workday to support analytics, vendor evaluation, and operational insights.

C. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate closely with Buyers, Operations, and Boat & Barge Maintenance to align purchasing activities, monitor buying patterns, and support vessel needs.
• Communicate effectively with department heads, vessel crew, maintenance teams, and executive staff regarding procurement actions, priorities, and vendor-related updates.
• Participate in or support RFQs/RFPs, including gathering requirements, communicating with vendors, and analyzing bids when needed.

D. Vendor Management & Analytics

• Provide vendor performance analytics through dashboards, KPIs, and scorecards to support vendor owner decision-making.
• Assist in vendor discovery, pricing verification, and availability research to support operational requirements.
• Engage with vendors professionally via email, Teams, phone, and in-person meetings; maintain compliance with Canal's vendor-relations policies.

E. Business Analysis

• Partner with business and technology teams to translate operational needs into clear technical requirements.
• Analyze, document, and test program development, logic, specifications, and process flow for procurement-related systems.
• Create RFQ's and be able to analyze results and summarize findings and recommendations.

F. General & Leadership Support

• Maintain effective communication across departments to ensure project clarity, proper handoffs, and timely follow-up.
• Support procurement team members during periods of absence or high workload, including assistance with purchasing, invoice coding, and order management.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Director of Procurement.

IV. RELATIONSHIP

The Procurement Analyst is appointed by and reports to the Director of Procurement at the headquarters in the central business district of New Orleans.

V. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field
• Marine industry experience preferred
• Experience in purchasing, logistics, or supply chain analysis preferred
• Project management skills
• Proficiency in various software suites including Salesforce, Tableau, Typeform and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Teams)

VI. REQUIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

A. Analytical & Technical Skills

• Strong data analysis abilities; capable of interpreting complex procurement and pricing datasets.
• Proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, advanced formulas, data cleanup) and comfort working with CSV/Excel-based reports.
• Excel pivot tables
• Use of Chat GPT for learning, and a tool for expediting procurement department tasks
• Chat GPT prompt building
• Ability to create clear, actionable dashboards and visualizations in Tableau or similar tools.
• Strong business analysis skills, especially in requirement gathering and process mapping.

B. Communication & Collaboration

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across diverse audiences including operations staff, leadership, vendors, and technical teams.
• Ability to facilitate meetings, provide updates, and coordinate next steps independently.
• Comfortable engaging with vendors for pricing, availability, negotiations, and performance discussions.

C. Professionalism & Interpersonal Skills

• Demonstrates respect, professionalism, and adaptability when collaborating with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Is able to build trusting relationships to engage and align with stakeholders
• Ability to handle sensitive or challenging vendor conversations diplomatically while upholding company policy.

D. Time Management & Initiative

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance recurring tasks and long-term projects simultaneously.
• Proactive mindset with a willingness to seek clarification, identify next steps, and drive progress without waiting for direction.
• Ability to take initiative in researching solutions, discovering vendors, and resolving procurement-related issues.

E. Problem Solving & Curiosity

• Natural curiosity with the ability to independently research products, suppliers, and technical information.
• Comfortable learning new tools, systems, and technical concepts (e.g., coatings, equipment, maintenance components).
• Persistence in pursuing answers, resolving discrepancies, and improving procurement processes.

F. Ethics & Compliance

• Upholds company policies regarding vendor relations, including gift policies and professional conduct standards.
• Maintains confidentiality and demonstrates integrity in all (sensitive) procurement activities.

VII. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Occasional travel to CBC facilities and various shipyards as needed
• Periodic travel to industry conferences, vendor site visits, or training events

Canal Barge Company and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers - All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.