Xylem Inc

Category Manager – Chemicals

Xylem Inc$125K — $135K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of strategic sourcing or procurement experience, preferably in a global context
  • Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, engineering, or a related field
  • Experience with ERP/MRP systems and procurement management software
  • Proven track record of sourcing and negotiating to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs)
  • Experience working collaboratively in a global environment across regions like EMEA, Americas, and APAC
  • Ability to establish credibility quickly and influence organizational change

Responsibilities

  • Own the global category strategy for Chemicals, aligning supplier capabilities with business needs
  • Lead complex sourcing initiatives to enhance cost efficiency, quality, and delivery performance
  • Influence stakeholders and suppliers to achieve measurable results in a global, matrixed setting
  • Drive sustainable supplier performance metrics against KPIs such as quality and risk management
  • Build strong partnerships with strategic suppliers while managing contracts to minimize risks
  • Ensure an efficient supply chain that maintains optimal performance for manufacturing sites
  • Collaborate with regional teams and R&D to develop category strategies incorporating the internal voice of the customer

Benefits

  • Competitive total rewards package including medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • 401(k) plan with company contributions
  • Paid time off and parental leave
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Flexible work environment with potential for hybrid or remote options
Full Job Description
What You’ll Do / Your Impact

  • Own the global category strategy for Chemicals (direct material), aligning supplier capabilities to business needs.
  • Lead complex sourcing initiatives that improve cost, quality, delivery performance, and supply continuity.
  • Influence cross-functional stakeholders and suppliers to deliver measurable results in a global, matrixed environment.
  • Drive sustainable supplier performance against key performance indicators (KPIs), including productivity, quality, delivery, consolidation, risk management, sustainability, diversity, and working capital.
  • Build and strengthen partnerships with strategic suppliers by leveraging global spend and the supply base to maximize performance while minimizing business risk (including contract management).
  • Maintain an effective supply chain that consistently delivers optimal cost, quality, and delivery performance to Xylem manufacturing sites.
  • Partner with regional procurement leaders, R&D, Quality, and Engineering to develop category strategies and incorporate internal voice of the customer (VOC).
  • Predict future global trends and disruptions within the industry and utilize de-risking methodologies to effectively increase supply chain resiliency.
  • Stay current on changing technology and demand, with a clear understanding of product taxonomy down to the sub-tier level.
  • Identify and lead productivity opportunities and the sourcing efforts required to ensure successful project execution.
  • Identify & execute second sourcing and regional sourcing initiatives to meet company objectives and mitigate supply risk.
  • Facilitate regular cross-functional category project meetings, monitor progress against committed timelines, and establish and maintain a Corporate Category Council to educate stakeholders and collect VOC.
  • Drive a continuous improvement mindset in an environment with a track record of achieving significant KPI improvement (Productivity, Quality, Service Levels, Delivery and Cost) year over year.
  • Analyze spend data and present insights and recommendations based on the needs of the audience.
  • Ensure applicable suppliers have current Corporate Supply Agreements (CSAs) in place, are up to date with the latest corporate expectations, and remain fully compliant.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

  • 3+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or category management (global preferred)
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience (business, supply chain, engineering, or related field)
  • Experience with ERP/MRP and procurement management software
  • Demonstrated performance sourcing and negotiating to deliver measurable results to KPIs
  • Experience partnering in a global environment (EMEA, Americas, APAC)
  • Proven ability to quickly establish credibility and influence others to drive change across an organization

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s degree
  • Sourcing experience in a water-related industry, chemicals

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Strong influence and change management skills, especially in a matrix environment with cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Ability to present information clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences (Verbal, Written, Presentation)
  • Ability to influence senior management, teams and individuals across multiple cultures, disciplines, and geographies.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively across business units’ hierarchy and functions.
  • Ability to analyze spend data and present insights, recommendations and strategies based on the needs of the audience.
  • Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams with proven abilities to influence others.
  • Fluent written/spoken English required.

Work Environment & Travel

  • Potential for hybrid and/or remote work, with the expectation of frequent visits and interactions at manufacturing site(s).
  • Manufacturing settings may require PPE and may include exposure to hazardous materials and loud noise.
  • Travel: Roughly 25%.
  • Global collaboration: Ability to partner with teams and suppliers across time zones as needed.
  • Compensation: Starting pay is dependent on multiple factors, such as skills, experience, and work location.
  • Benefits: Competitive total rewards package, including Medical, Dental, Vision, wellness programs, 401(k) with company contribution, paid time off, paid parental leave, and tuition reimbursement (and more).

The estimated salary range for this position is $125,000 to $135,000 plus bonus.   Starting pay is dependent on multiple factors, such as skills, experience and work location, and is not typically at the top of the range.  At Xylem we offer a competitive compensation package with a generous benefit package, including Medical, Dental, Vision plans, 401(k) with company contribution, paid time off, paid parental leave and tuition reimbursement. 

Xylem does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

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About Xylem Inc

Xylem is a water technology company that designs and manufactures innovative solutions to meet the world's water needs. They provide water and wastewater applications with a broad portfolio of products and services that address the full cycle of water, from collection, distribution and use to the return of water to the environment. Xylem operates in more than 150 countries and has a workforce of over 17,000 employees. The company was spun off from ITT Corporation in 2011 and is headquartered in Rye Brook, New York.
Learn more about Xylem Inc
Size
17,300 employees
Market Cap
$19.9 billion
Industry
Net Income
$254 million
5 Year Trend
+6.6%
Revenue
$4.8 billion
NASDAQ

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