A global leader in industrial minerals with operations in over 50 countries and more than 250 industrial sites is looking for a Category Manager for Chemicals and Packaging for the EMEA region. They specialise in delivering high-performance solutions to diverse industries, including construction, consumer goods, energy, and healthcare, and are in the process of transforming and streamlining their global operations.
You will work closely with the plants and the local Purchasing teams in order to ensure supply continuity and competitive biddings from suppliers.
- Implement clear chemicals and packaging purchasing processes and strategies at the regional level in collaboration with the Regional Category Manager.
- Achieve the targeted cash and savings goals.
- Oversee reporting for the category, including project KPIs, forecasts, and savings.
- Provide timely market review information and data for senior management, such as RFQ results and packaging workshop implementation.
- Participate in operations review meetings.
- Gather requirements from various sites through the local buyers' network and operations teams, challenge these requirements, and introduce alternatives into the current sourcing portfolio.
- Conduct performance reviews with strategic suppliers, assessing them using KPIs (financial, supply, quality, innovation).
- Perform industry and competitor analysis to identify cost savings, material selection, manufacturing techniques, and material sourcing to enhance the company's competitive position.
- Monitor indexes and market trends regularly to anticipate opportunities and risks.
- Implement best practices by collaborating with colleagues across all regions to leverage bargaining power and share knowledge for continuous improvement.
- Update the global supplier panel by reviewing the supply base and conducting regular market surveys to identify new producers or distributors.
- Develop low-cost country suppliers in collaboration with other purchasing regions.
- Lead the chemicals and packaging community (purchasing, operations, S&T, sales, I3) at the regional level, including ongoing project reviews and communication on the latest developments (tools, contracts, claims).
- Enhance market expertise by benchmarking with other companies and gathering intelligence from suppliers and industry events.
- Continuously scan the market to identify new producers, distributors, or regulatory changes that could impact the supply base or prices.
Education and Experience Requirements:
- Bachelor's/Master's degree in a relevant field
- Over 5 years of experience in international purchasing.
- Multi-cultural awareness.
- Teamwork.
- Strong presentation and communication skills in English; French is a plus.
- Proven managerial experience.
- Ability to influence and gain buy-in in a "dotted-line" reporting situation.
- Understanding of business needs.
- Ability to travel extensively.
