Category Manager

JOB-10046109

Anticipated Start Date

April 1, 2026

Location

Selkirk, NY

Type of Employment

Contract

Employer Info

Since our clients founding it has exhibited a remarkable ability to do what others said could not be done.  Ranked among the world’s largest petrochemicals manufacturers. Their growth has been nothing short of miraculous. Today, the company has operations in over 50 countries with a global workforce of over 32,000 talented individuals.

Job Summary

Originate and implement strategic category plans and a wide variety of contracts for Specialties business.  This role will likely contain differing categories, such as AMR/EUR regional direct materials, global direct materials and/or other categories, for example, energy or packaging materials. 

Job Description

• Develop and implement multi-year category strategies, including Direct Materials, Packaging, and Tolling/contract manufacturing services in delivering value creation, the lowest total cost of ownership, and the highest customer satisfaction
• Sources and qualifies new suppliers and manages existing suppliers' relationships in support of global /regional categories; manages supplier compliance with procurement standards and policies. Oversees and engages vendors to ensure services are aligned to the changing needs of the business, identifies new business opportunities, drives root cause analysis for improvement, and provides dispute resolutions
• Design, implement, and update strategic supply plans to drive total cost competitiveness with a focus on alignment with the business. Maintains regular contact with direct managers, SBUs, manufacturing and technology leaders, and other stakeholders. Obtain stakeholder alignment and service level expectations to understand stakeholder vision and objectives and derive strategic directives for procurement to develop a global /regional category strategy in line with business objectives by acting as a supply market expert.
• Manage supplier engagement by various meetings or platforms. Manages supplier compliance with procurement standards and policies. Leads supplier qualification projects. Oversees and engages vendors to ensure services are aligned to the changing needs of the business, identifies new business opportunities, drives root cause analysis for improvement, and provides dispute resolutions
• Challenge existing business concepts and sole/single source situations (“status quo”) for the betterment of the business by aligning strategies with Business leaders and internal stakeholders. Quick response to Crisis management for urgent cases. Mitigation plan set up for short, mid/long-term plans
• Drive global compliance to legislation, standards, and requirements such as ESG and Carbon Neutrality
• Encourage and ensure cross-functional teamwork, aligning work processes to achieve high performance standards, meet established targets and objectives in a motivated work environment. Liaises and coordinates with internal and external parties at the appropriate levels to support and ensure the execution and smooth flow of the organization’s business
• Manage key negotiations & maintain appropriate business relationships with Senior Management of key Manufacturers, Distributors, and Suppliers
• Develop global or regional agreements and execute them across all needed regions, including updating SAP, coordinating with sites, supply chain, and buyers.
• Support procurement category in developing and implementing sourcing strategies to drive business profitability (EBITDA) and growth
• Interact and maintain regular contact with sites' end users, senior management, and BU Managers to continuously align sourcing strategy with business needs
• Drive and influence change management through various cross-functional teams.
• Challenge existing business concepts and sole/single source situations (“status quo”)
• Manage the process of vendor approval in line with the business strategy.
• Carry out benchmarking, market research/intelligence activities. Engage suppliers to leverage supplier innovations to ultimately meet business needs. Monitor upcoming trends in the market to anticipate new requirements.
• Price forecasting/Budgeting of materials and other categories assigned.

Skills Required

• Functional project leadership experience with the ability to handle multiple tasks
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in petrochemicals (procurement, supply chain, sourcing, technology, business economics, market dynamics, and value drivers)
• Excellent collaborating skillset with business partners to develop annual plans and associated Key Performance Indicators
• Mastery of SAP MM Module in the procurement environment, request to pay process, and all associated SAP reporting transactions and data mining functions necessary for the role
• Excellent negotiation skillset, interpersonal collaboration, and presentation skills
• Ability to independently & proactively deliver in a complex environment.
• Good, effective communication skills across a multi-national and cross-functional organization

Education/Training/Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering/ supply chain management/ finance/ economics/ business administration

Additional Requirements

• Physical Requirements:
  • Ability to travel up to 25%, ability to function well in an office environment (computer use, phone use)

• Maintain regular and predictable attendance as an essential function of the role
• Available to work Monday–Friday during assigned hours of operation
• Willing to work additional hours as needed to meet business requirements

Pay Rate/Salary

• $50.00 - $65.00/hr. Compensation will be offered within this posted range based on experience, skills, and market factors