Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated, strategic, and results-driven Global Category Manager, Recycled Resins to lead sourcing and category management activities for circular materials and recycled resins used across our Flexible and Rigid Packaging businesses.

This role is responsible for developing and executing global category strategies that drive value creation through cost optimization, supply assurance, sustainability advancement, innovation, and risk mitigation. The successful candidate will work closely with cross-functional teams including Sustainability, Innovation, Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial, and Finance to secure competitive supply solutions while supporting the company's recycled-content commitments and sustainability goals.

The Global Category Manager will serve as a subject matter expert on recycled resin markets, supplier capabilities, emerging technologies, regulatory developments, and sustainability trends influencing the packaging industry.

Ideal candidates will be based in Lake Forest, IL, Charlotte, NC, or Covington, KY.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Sourcing Leadership

• Manage the recycled resin category on a global basis with full accountability for category performance.
• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with company objectives for cost, supply continuity, innovation, sustainability, and risk management.
• Develop sourcing strategies for post-consumer recycled (PCR), post-industrial recycled (PIR), mechanically recycled, and advanced recycled resin solutions.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives including RFIs, RFPs, negotiations, supplier selections, and contract management.
• Identify cost savings opportunities and supply chain efficiencies across the category.
• Maintain comprehensive category plans, project documentation, contracts, and sourcing records.
• Support make-versus-buy analyses and strategic business decisions.

Market Intelligence & Cost Management

• Monitor recycled resin market dynamics including feedstock availability, bale pricing, recycling economics, capacity expansions, competitive activity, and emerging technologies.
• Build cost models and market forecasts to support sourcing decisions and pricing negotiations.
• Conduct spending analyses to evaluate supplier allocation, category trends, cost drivers, and value creation opportunities.
• Develop market benchmarks and best practices to drive best-in-class procurement performance across business units.
• Communicate market trends, opportunities, risks, and recommendations to leadership and key stakeholders.

Supplier Relationship & Performance Management

• Develop, evaluate, and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers.
• Lead supplier negotiations and secure commercial agreements that support business objectives.
• Establish supplier performance metrics and scorecards covering cost, quality, delivery, service, sustainability, and innovation.
• Drive supplier development initiatives focused on improving quality, capacity, traceability, sustainability metrics, and operational reliability.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities and support qualification of new suppliers, technologies, and recycled materials.
• Own supplier performance and corrective action processes when required.

Sustainability & Innovation

• Partner with Sustainability, R&D, Product Development, Commercial, and Operations teams to achieve recycled-content objectives and sustainability targets.
• Support innovation initiatives with suppliers that improve product performance, material circularity, and environmental outcomes.
• Identify and commercialize new recycled resin technologies and supply solutions.
• Support qualification and implementation of new materials to support customer and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain awareness of evolving sustainability regulations, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs, food-contact requirements, and recycled-content legislation.

Risk Management & Supply Assurance

• Proactively identify and mitigate supply risks through supplier diversification, business continuity planning, inventory strategies, and alternate material qualifications.
• Monitor geopolitical, regulatory, operational, and market risks that could impact supply continuity.
• Develop contingency plans to ensure uninterrupted supply to manufacturing operations.
• Support crisis management and rapid response efforts during market disruptions.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead cross-functional sourcing and innovation projects without direct reporting authority.
• Build strong partnerships across Procurement, Sustainability, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, Finance, and R&D.
• Influence stakeholders through data-driven insights and strategic recommendations.
• Communicate project progress, achievements, risks, and key decisions to leadership teams.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Chemistry, Finance, or related discipline.
• Minimum 7+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, supply chain, or related commercial roles.
• Demonstrated success leading supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Strong analytical, financial modeling, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience developing category strategies and delivering measurable value.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Preferred

• Experience sourcing recycled resins, virgin resins, packaging materials, or related petrochemical products.
• Knowledge of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), PET, polystyrene (PS), and other packaging materials.
• Experience within recycling, packaging, polymers, chemicals, consumer products, or manufacturing industries.
• Understanding of PCR, PIR, mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, mass balance systems, and circular economy principles.
• Familiarity with sustainability certifications and compliance programs such as ISCC+, APR, FDA food-contact requirements, or similar standards.

Travel

• Ability to travel approximately 20-30%, including supplier visits, manufacturing locations, conferences, and industry events.

Measures of Success

• Achievement of annual savings and value creation objectives.
• Successful execution of recycled-content and sustainability goals.
• Improved supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and service.
• Effective mitigation of supply risks and business continuity concerns.
• Commercialization of new recycled material solutions.
• Development of a resilient, competitive, and sustainable supplier network.
• Positive contribution to company sustainability commitments and customer objectives.

Compensation:

A reasonable estimate of the current range is $135,000 - 155,000 + bonus + benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. At Novolex, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The benefits for this role include 401(k) plan with company match, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, paid vacation, and sick days, paid parental leave, paid holidays and wellness program.

#LI-TM1