Chemours is seeking a
Category Manager - Direct Materials to join the
Chemours Corporate Procurement team! This is a highly visible, key role within the Company and interacts closely with the Commercial Operations, Supply Chain and leadership teams across all three Chemours businesses. This position will report directly to the
Procurement Director - Advanced Performance Materials and Thermal & Specialized Solutions at our
Wilmington, DE Headquarters location.
The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:- Category Strategies: Drive strategic sourcing process by gathering inputs/requirements/business objectives to develop and lead global category strategies that may include both specialties such as precious metals and catalysts as well as commodities such as hydrofluorocarbons and other critical raw materials to deliver reliable, cost advantaged, and sustainable supply across multiple business units.
- Partnership: Strategic thought partner that fosters strong cross-functional engagement and working partnerships to enable strategic planning and forecasting. Understands customer requirements such as volume, price, quality, delivery mode, supply risk and supply chain impacts and incorporated into category strategies. Executive level engagements with internal and supplier stakeholders which requires advanced communication and personal skills and deep business understanding
- Risk Management: Identify and mitigate supply risk, critical path supplies and services and help monitor/manage related site risks. Proactively develop and implement effective risk mitigation strategies for key materials
- Negotiations: Defines negotiation targets: most desired outcome, best alternative, least acceptable outcome. Develop negotiation plans, gain alignment from stakeholders, lead cross-functional, negotiation teams, and drive commercial negotiations to achieve best possible TCO pricing while maintaining set quality standards. Negotiates, prepares and executes procurement agreements
- Contract management: Conducts negotiations, documents agreements in contract terms and conditions, conducts contract legal and financial reviews, obtains internal approvals, implements contracts, reviews contract/supplier performance after implementation. Review and manage supplier contracts to ensure compliance with terms and conditions, drive value on new and existing contracts. Authoring Contracts with Firm KPIs that enhance Compliance.
- Data Analytics: Works efficiently between internal data (spend, contract data) and external intel and market trends, analyze local and macro markets, and identifies opportunities to optimize category portfolio to drive maximum value. Utilize data analytics to identify purchasing trends, identify timing for commercial action, and inform decision-makers.
- Market Research: Analyze market trends, competitor activity, and customer demand to identify potential products /services and suppliers. Understands supply market - production routes, supplier share, market price, alternatives. Drives cost efficiency challenges in a volatile commodity market and chemical indices that require constant market monitoring.
- Vendor Management: Build and maintain relationships with suppliers, negotiating pricing, payment terms, and delivery schedules. Facilitate new supplier introductions; Manage, consolidate, and drive lower tail spend where feasible.
- Reporting and communication: Develop category/sub-category sourcing strategy and align with business and stakeholders. Prepare regular reports on category performance, key insights, and actionable recommendations to senior managers.
- KPIs: Develop metrics and work with digital to automate. Understand and align with the goals and requirements of the stakeholders and share progress and results of dashboards, metrics, KPI's and benchmarks.
- Savings: Drive cost savings/avoidance, and working capital improvements through collaborative efforts with suppliers, internal customers and procurement category managers.
- Mentorship: Mentors/coaches Associate Category Managers on category management, Supplier Management, Supply Risk, and Stakeholder engagement
- Bidding: Lead bidding strategy and executes RFX, requests for proposals and competitive bids Drive use of bidding optimizations/automation.
The following is required for this role: - Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain or engineering.
- Must have 7 years of experience procuring or managing categories related to the Chemical industry.
- Strong expertise in Strategic Sourcing or Supply Chain Management domain experience (Category Management, Vendor management, SRM, Supply Risk, Regulatory compliance, segmentation/taxonomy).
- Strategic leadership skills in developing and nurturing strong working ties with site leadership and operations teams.
- Strong negotiation skills and experience managing and negotiating contracts to meet business needs and objectives. Negotiate contracts and purchase order terms and conditions with the inclusion of Legal, Risk Management, Business leadership, and Finance, as required.
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite, Outlook & Internet applications and be able to create and interpret key reports.
- Strong working knowledge/experience in business analysis, market research, financial analysis, cost models, procurement/supply chain analysis and supplier performance management.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; self-motivated with ability to handle multiple tasks and assignments simultaneously, with attention to detail, deadlines, and reporting
- Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues across the organization, as well as internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to work well autonomously and within a team in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills (including analysis, interpretation, & reasoning).
- Business acumen - creating, positioning and negotiating commercial arrangements that deliver competitive advantage. Ability to build a strong business case with data and present it senior management.
The following is preferred for this role: - Master's in business (MBA) or Supply Chain Certifications
- Strong expertise in Source to Pay (S2P) software such as GEP, Ariba, Keelvar or similar.
- Proficiency in SAP (S4/HANA) or higher or an equivalent ERP business system.
- Good working knowledge of Go to Market strategies such as Reverse Auctions, eSourcing, etc.
- High motivation and self-awareness
- Analytical capability
- Results-driven with strong communication skills
- Six Sigma Greenbelt+ Certification(s)
Benefits: Competitive Compensation
Comprehensive Benefits Packages
401(k) Match
Employee Stock Purchase Program
Tuition Reimbursement
Commuter Benefits
Learning and Development Opportunities
Strong Inclusion and Diversity Initiatives
Company-paid Volunteer Day
Pay Range (in local currency):
$110,544.00 - $172,725.00
Chemours Level:
26
Annual Bonus Target:
11%
The pay range and incentives listed above is a general guideline based on the primary location of this job only and not a guarantee of total compensation. Factors considered in extending a compensation offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, and alignment with market data. The incentive pay is dependent on business results and individual performance and subject to the terms and conditions of the specific plans.
At Chemours, you will find sustainability in our vision, our business and your future. If you want to work on the leading edge of your field and have a desire to make a difference, join Chemours and discover what it means when we say "We Are Living Chemistry."
