Senior Category Mananger

Accountabilities:

• • Develop and execute forward-looking category strategies that align sourcing decisions with broader business priorities, market conditions, and long-term value creation.
  • Analyze spend, demand, supplier markets, and industry intelligence to identify savings, optimization, resilience, and innovation opportunities.
  • Build transparent cost models and forecasting frameworks to support data-driven sourcing and procurement decisions.
  • Lead make-versus-buy and insourcing analyses using total cost of ownership principles.
  • Develop supplier portfolio strategies, including volume allocation, supplier selection, and the introduction of new strategic partners.
  • Lead complex RFPs, evaluate award scenarios, and negotiate high-value commercial agreements that balance cost, quality, supply security, risk, and strategic objectives.
  • Manage contract structures, pricing mechanisms, supplier performance metrics, and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Build and maintain a preferred global supplier network based on strong, trust-based, long-term relationships.
  • Communicate category strategies, market developments, risks, trade-offs, and recommendations clearly to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
  • Influence and collaborate with commercial, operations, supply chain, technical, and procurement teams to secure alignment and successful execution of category strategies.
  • Ensure procurement activities support applicable Environmental, Health & Safety standards and Responsible Care principles.
  • Monitor evolving industry and market trends and translate relevant developments into actionable sourcing strategies.

  Requirements:

  • 7+ years of sourcing experience or relevant technical experience in areas such as product management, R&D, process technology, or production.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related discipline; an MBA or MS is preferred.
  • Strong commercial judgment and demonstrated experience leading complex, high-value negotiations.
  • Proven ability to develop cost models, forecasting frameworks, and insights-driven category strategies.
  • Solid understanding of contract structures, pricing mechanisms, supplier management, and total cost of ownership principles.
  • Working knowledge of SAP is preferred.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, formulas, and analytical modeling, as well as strong PowerPoint and Word skills.
  • Ability to influence senior stakeholders and build effective partnerships within a complex, matrixed organization.
  • Strong planning, decision-making, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Comfortable managing priorities in a fast-paced, evolving global environment with a high degree of autonomy.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; additional language capabilities are a plus.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative, inclusive approach to working with diverse teams.

  Benefits:

  • Competitive base salary of $107,500–$157,663, plus discretionary bonuses.
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) plan.
  • Fully remote work opportunity within the United States.
  • Flexible work environment designed to support work-life balance.
  • Up to 30% travel as part of the role.
  • Numerous professional growth, training, and career development opportunities.
  • Opportunity to work on complex, high-impact sourcing and procurement challenges in a global environment.