Category Manager -- Direct Materials

The Category Manager at Ecolab will drive the strategy and process development for procurement of direct materials, equipment or indirect services through the development of strategic business relationships domestically. In collaboration with manufacturing, logistics, research & development and business units, this take-charge leader will lead the step change improvement of world class sourcing in order to deliver incremental total delivered cost efficiency, security of supply, supplier innovation and process improvements.

This role will effectively institutionalize process developments through integrating best practices across multiple functions and strategic sourcing teams. May drive process and compliance initiatives across all spend categories. Leverages technical and management skills to achieve through others and manages projects/portfolio to meet business needs.

Our Category Managerwill have the responsibilityto manage activities for assigned categories and subcategories within Team 6 (methanol derivatives, solvents, additives, cyclic, enzymes). In this role, the individual will collaborate with MMO, OBLs, OI, Logistics, suppliers and other category teams in order to identify and drive total delivered value, security of supply, execution of procurement processes and front line service to stakeholders.

Independence Level/Reports to: Responsible for selecting suppliers and negotiating over $50 million per year in purchases. Has authority to issue purchase agreements, blanket orders, and purchase orders within corporate purchasing policy to achieve desired results.

The strong performer can expect further career advancement with Ecolab and will have the opportunity to move into other procurement and supply chain leadership roles within the organization.

What you will do:

• Identifies, develops, and implements regional sourcing strategies to reduce total delivered cost, mitigate headwinds and improve security of supply.
• Connects frequently with procurement peers around the world to understand, align and/or contribute to the global strategy.
• Effectively communicates strategies, results, and metrics to leadership teams as required.
• Develops contract strategies and effectively negotiates key commercial and supply positions to the benefit of Ecolab business requirements and goals.
• Stays abreast of industry trends for assigned categories. Provides guidance and recommendations to business units in order to support margin and top line growth.
• Effectively implements supplier management strategies and initiatives to achieve maximum value at a regional level.
• Supports and/or contributes to projects to improve procurement processes and tools.
• Recommends purchasing infrastructure in conjunction with functions and supply chain to assure availability at required quality & costs levels.

Basic Qualifications:

• Degree in Engineering related discipline, chemistry, or related business degree plus broad experience in procurement and supervision.
• 7 or more years of Procurement or Supply Chain work experience.
• Immigration Sponsorship is not offered for this role

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA Preferred
• Previous experience balancing competing priorities of C-suite stakeholders
• Previous professional experience in a global (Fortune 500 or similar) multi-national company with operations in all major world markets and regions
• Strategic thinking and business-oriented leader who has demonstrated the ability to understand the goals of a global business and to identify and execute on company-wide opportunities

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