Procurement Category Manager- Chemical Raw Material

Quaker Houghton; Kolkata District; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onboarding and training

Volunteering leave

Wellbeing programs

Autonomy and initiative

Job summary

Quaker Houghton is seeking a seasoned Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing for chemical raw materials in India, managing a $20M-$30M annual spend. You will shape category strategies, build strong supplier partnerships, and partner with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance and Commercial teams to optimize value and reduce risk.

The role emphasizes cost savings, governance compliance, and data-driven decisions, with excellent onboarding and ongoing training in a global, diverse environment.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor level and above.
• Experience: Minimum 6 years' experience in a chemical raw material sourcing role with a successful track record in developing and executing supplier strategies and programs involving supplier partnership-alliance concepts.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing for a $20M-$30M annual spend category portfolio in India for chemical raw materials.
• Develop and execute category strategies balancing cost, quality, sustainability, supply security, and risk.
• Build and manage high-performing supplier relationships, including audits, quality control, and performance reviews.
• Negotiate contracts and commercial agreements to maximize value and protect business interests.
• Drive cost savings, productivity initiatives, and category improvement projects in partnership with cross-functional teams.
• Analyze market trends, commodity pricing, and supplier landscapes to inform sourcing decisions.
• Lead RFPs, RFIs, supplier selection, onboarding, and ongoing supplier performance management.
• Partner closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to support business growth.

Skills

Finance & Business Acumen

Communication skills

Cost savings & productivity

Cross-functional collaboration

Chemical sourcing experience

Education

Bachelor level and above

Job description

At Quaker Houghton, we are experts in the development, production and application of industrial process fluids, lubricants and coatings for the manufacturing industry. We have been an integral part in the growth of the world’s largest industrial and manufacturing companies from aerospace and automotive to primary metal and energy. Today, we have a global presence, with our corporate headquarters located in Conshohocken, PA. Quaker Houghton is a global publicly traded company with a unique collaborative culture that supports career growth for its associates and offers competitive compensation and benefit programs.

Join a strategic procurement leadership role as Category Manager driving sourcing excellence across India while supporting a global category portfolio. You will lead supplier partnerships, contract negotiations, cost optimization, quality assurance, and market intelligence initiatives, working closely with cross-functional teams including R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, and Finance. This is an opportunity to shape sourcing strategy, mitigate supply risks, and deliver sustainable value through strong supplier management and data-driven decision-making.

What will you do ?

• Lead strategic sourcing for a $20M-$30M annual spend category portfolio in India for chemical raw materials.
• Develop and execute category strategies balancing cost, quality, sustainability, supply security, and risk.
• Build and manage high-performing supplier relationships, including audits, quality control, and performance reviews.
• Negotiate contracts and commercial agreements to maximize value and protect business interests.
• Drive cost savings, productivity initiatives, and category improvement projects in partnership with cross-functional teams.
• Analyze market trends, commodity pricing, and supplier landscapes to inform sourcing decisions.
• Lead RFPs, RFIs, supplier selection, onboarding, and ongoing supplier performance management.
• Partner closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to support business growth.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, legal requirements, and procurement governance standards.
• Serve as the category subject matter expert, providing insights, reporting, spend analysis, and strategic recommendations to leadership.

What is in it for you?

• Excellent onboarding and ongoing training, part of our QH University
• Annual volunteering leave to dedicate to the cause of your choice
• Attractive Wellbeing, Inclusion & CRG programs
• Join an International and dynamic team environment
• Join a market leading company where autonomy and initiative are expected

What are we looking for ?

Education: Bachelor level and above.

Experience: Minimum 6 years' experience in a chemical raw material sourcing role with a successful track record in developing and executing supplier strategies and programs involving supplier partnership-alliance concepts.

Skills:

• Finance and Business Acumen
• Solid communication skills
• Record of driving cost savings and productivity
• Track record of collaborating with cross-functional teams
• Chemical sourcing experience is preferred.

Language: English high level is a must.

Who are we ?

We are the global leader in industrial process fluids present in 40+ countries continually improving and innovating so the world’s steel, aluminum, automotive, aircraft, machinery and industrial parts manufacturers can stay ahead in a changing world. Throughout our 100+ locations, our chemists, engineers and industry experts partner with our customers to continually improve their operations so they can run even more efficiently, even more effectively, whatever comes next.

Our values

Live Safe, Exceed Customer Expectations, Drive Results, Embrace Diversity, Do Great Things Together, Act with Integrity.

Our core values embody who we are as a company, guide our decisions and inspire us. Our commitment to these values, in words and actions, builds a safer, stronger Quaker Houghton. They are the fundamental beliefs that guide our internal conduct and our relationship with the outside world.

Join our growing team and let's do great things together!