Category Manager

At Quaker Houghton, we make the essentials of everyday life possible and enable innovative approaches for a positive future. Our customers include the world's most advanced and specialized automotive, steel, aluminum, aerospace, offshore, can and mining companies. Based in every corner of the world, our people are passionate about what we do.

As Category Manager for Direct Materials you will develop and deploy a vision, strategy, tactics, and management platform for your assigned Category: Chemical Raw Materials. You will be responsible for maximizing the value that we receive from suppliers by delivering value-optimal sourcing strategies, efficient deployment of procurement resources, and effective alignment with our Procurement Leadership Team.

What will you do?

This role reports to the Manager Direct Procurement EMEA. This role will have intensive interaction with Global counterparts within Quaker Houghton.

Practical adoption and use of the Category Management cross-functional process to deliver purchasing strategies for your assigned category and sub-category Create, communicate, and maintain global category strategies for up to $50M spend in the direct materials. Develop and lead negotiation strategies, conduct RFx, organize RFx results, and communicate complete strategy and results to senior management and key stakeholders in order to gain business alignment. Oversee supplier selection and supplier performance management, ensuring suppliers are in alignment with category strategy, business goals, and company policies. Proactively segment suppliers and utilize engagement programs to improve performance, achieve business goals, and maintain strategic alignment with senior procurement leaders and key stakeholders to continuously re-evaluate and improve procurement processes. Maintain a working knowledge of world-class supply chain processes to ensure that existing processes are targeted to attain excellence versus industry benchmarks Work with the Global and Regional teams to assign resources the prioritized projects Encourages the team to suggest step-change improvements in category management processes and leads the implementation of initiatives with support from Supply Analysis & Improvement and the team. Deliver structural cost savings, supplier rationalization, contract implementation, and DPO enhancement, as well as other KPIs to meet or exceed established targets

What are we looking for?

5+ years of progressive strategic sourcing and contracting experience in the chemical sector, including extensive experience developing and executing strategic sourcing plans. Ideally within a global procurement matrix organization. Languages: English at a professional level is a must. Location: Reasonable commuting distance to our Uithoorn, NL site.

What do we offer?

Hybrid working arrangement for better work-life balance Competitive pay with bonus opportunities Health insurance, Pension plan and other additional benefits A minimum of 28 paid time off + buy/sell program 2 annual days paid volunteering leave Access to real career growth opportunities in the procurement or other related areas of interest. QH University: Continuous training tools for all seniority levels. Attractive Wellbeing, Mental Health, Women Inclusion & other DEI programs.

Join the team and find your future

Are you a QH employee? Please contact Barbara Valdez for more details or how to apply.

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