Project Procurement Inspector Specialist

About the Role

KBR is delivering Project Management services that cover Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Commissioning stages to support Sonangol's multi-billion-dollar Lobito Refinery Project in Angola, Africa. The procurement activities are managed primarily by the Owner's EPC Contractor across three hubs in China and Angola. The Project Procurement Inspector Specialist will serve as KBR’s procurement liaison from the home office, collaborating closely with the China-based Project Management team and various KBR global resource centers, including the Houston headquarters. Fluency in both English and Chinese is essential. The role requires relocation to China, specifically the EPC Contractor’s main resource center in Tianjin, for execution of engineering and procurement phases along with construction and commissioning planning.

Primary Responsibilities

• Establish, lead, and manage the inspection function to meet targets regarding health, safety, environment, quality, cost control, schedule adherence, and ethical business practices.
• Promote and ensure understanding and application of Quality Management principles within all procurement-related activities.
• Support the Project Lead Inspector by organizing and coordinating the inspection and quality control teams.
• Oversee and actively engage in inspection activities to ensure compliance and performance standards are met.
• Facilitate effective communication and coordination among the inspection team and other project groups.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with clients, suppliers, subcontractors, and independent inspection bodies.
• Contribute to the upkeep of the Supplier Fact Sheet and collaborate with project and corporate HSE teams regarding safety concerns affecting personnel visiting suppliers' facilities, including incident reporting.
• Assist in setting and reviewing performance standards for suppliers and processes.
• Help evaluate field agencies and their personnel to ensure quality and consistency.
• Recommend inspection approaches and support expediting strategies for proposals, including cost assessments.
• Conduct shop surveys and participate in approving proposed suppliers.
• Support the implementation and maintenance of Project and Corporate Quality Management Systems.
• Utilize knowledge of inspection and expediting functions, along with quality assurance principles, within an EPC project environment to analyze and resolve technical issues collaboratively and advise on preventative measures.

Required Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in national and international manufacturing standards and codes relevant to the industry such as ASME, ASTM, and API.
• Good understanding of Health, Safety, and Environmental issues pertinent to the industry.
• Ability to demonstrate commitment to HSE and quality objectives on both project and corporate levels.
• Capability to fulfill project-specific responsibilities and coordinate inspection personnel effectively.
• Skill in building and maintaining effective working relationships with key members of the project team.
• Leadership skills to mentor and develop project team members for mutual benefit.
• Skill in balancing and resolving conflicting interests among the Company, Clients, and Suppliers.
• Willingness and ability to travel as required.
• Fluent proficiency in both spoken and written English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Fluent Mandarin Chinese language skills.

Additional Information

The China-based integrated project teams operate primarily out of Tianjin, China, focusing on engineering and procurement execution and planning of construction and commissioning phases.

KBR Employee Benefits

KBR offers competitive benefits packages that may include a 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision insurance, life and AD&D coverage, flexible spending accounts, disability benefits, paid time off, and flexible work schedules. The company also promotes career growth through professional training and development.