Global Category Leader - Direct Materials

Location: Northlake, IL (Hybrid work schedule)

Sun Chemical is seeking a Category Leader for Direct Materials to manage sourcing strategies for key raw material spend categories such as various resin chemistries, solvents, colorants, and additives. The role will be responsible for category management and sourcing strategies while identifying and executing productivity initiatives to optimize value and improve service and quality levels.  

Functions/Responsibilities:

• Manage key raw material sourcing categories with final accountability for the regional/global spend.
• Lead strategy design for category that includes leveraged negotiations, project creation/facilitation and work closely with all regional leaders to ensure regional requirements are fulfilled and alignment is maintained.
• Lead cross-functional team in the development and execution of sourcing strategies that align with the financial and business objectives of each region/SBU.
• Key contributor to other category teams to ensure business interests are communicated and incorporated in all sourcing strategies.
• Analyze supply markets, supplier economics, supply/demand dynamics, and develop TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) programs.
• Is a change agent in the organization for TCO optimization, i.e., identifying and implementing new low-cost suppliers, make versus buy decisions, drive product standardization, logistics enhancements, and working capital improvements, etc.
• Implement chemical market tracking metrics to generate leading insight into the direction of the major chemical markets.
• Manage database for spend categories.  Monitor price change and project progress monthly and report on a timely basis.
• Lead the negotiations and development of key contracts with suppliers, legal, and business stakeholders.
• Define a fully comprehensive category strategy for key raw material categories based on assessments of internal and external markets.
• Possess an in-depth knowledge of Sustainable Procurement and driving corporate strategies to meet sustainability goals and objectives. 
• Awareness of industry best practices and emerging trends in Sustainable Procurement, and proactively recommending new initiatives to drive continuous improvement.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of procurement responsibility, including sustainable procurement initiatives in direct raw materials, preferably in a manufacturing/chemical industry environment.
• Experience in global procurement/sourcing with a track record of leading change and cost reduction in cross-cultural environments.
• Experience working with Ecovadis.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, highly organized, and possess excellent problem solving/decision making skills.
• Excellent analytical and business acumen including cost modeling, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Experience with SAP is a plus as well as a sound knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Salary Range: $137,000 - $150,000 

BENEFITS
We offer a range of market-competitive total rewards that include merit increases, paid holidays, Paid Time Off, medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability benefits, 401(k)+match and life insurance. Eligibility of benefit timing may vary.