Associate Category Manager

LyondellBasell Industries; Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 68,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

LyondellBasell Industries in Rotterdam seeks an Associate Category Manager for Industrial Gases and Utilities to ensure reliable utility supplies for manufacturing sites and contribute to decarbonization efforts across Europe. You will manage the end-to-end sourcing process and collaborate with leadership to drive strategic supplier relationships.

The role emphasizes market insights, contract negotiation, and governance-aligned processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and/or Business Economics; Master’s degree preferred.
• 6+ years related experience; 10 years in lieu of degree.
• Experience in manufacturing environment; technical or business roles preferred.
• Negotiations and contract experience required.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office; SAP/Ariba/Accolade knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Executes day-to-day sourcing per contract terms and sources utilities with increasing complexity and value.
• Assess supplier capabilities via KPIs and recommend supplier acceptability.
• Challenge inefficiencies and deviations in processes and strategy.
• Manage supplier relationships and identify new suppliers as needed.
• Support collective Industrial Gas & Utilities group during complex sourcing and strategy development.

Skills

Data analysis

Negotiation

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Business Economics

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SAP

Ariba

Accolade

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Associate Category Manager

Location: Rotterdam, NL, 3013 AA

Department: Utilities Technical Gases

Division: Intermediates & Derivatives and Enterpri

LyondellBasell is a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. With a nearly 70-year legacy that includes a Nobel Prize in Chemistry and our proprietary MoReTec recycling technology, LYB is enabling a more sustainable future for generations to come. LYB develops high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. LYB places high priority on diversity, equity and inclusion and is Advancing Good with an emphasis on our planet, the communities where we operate and our future workforce. We're addressing the global challenges of ending plastic waste, taking climate action, and supporting a thriving society, while generating value for our customers, investors, and society.

A Day in the Life

Our manufacturing sites all depend on a continuous supply of utilities such as industrial gases, water, steam and electricity. As an Associate Category Manager, Industrial Gases and Utilities at LyondellBasell, you will be responsible for reliable utility supplies to our manufacturing sites as well as helping to advance the company’s long-term decarbonization activities in Europe including procurement of low carbon utilities.

In close collaboration with Industrial Gas & Utilities Leadership, you will get a lot of freedom, being responsible for the entire sourcing process regarding your area of responsibility. This includes translating strategic requirements and market insights into operational activities through contract negotiation, maintaining strategic supplier relationships and evaluating the competitive state of the market and existing contracts. You will put your in-depth understanding of utility sourcing strategies and utility markets into practice on a tactical and strategic level, ensuring alignment with all stakeholders during the process.

The role of Associate Category Manager, Industrial Gases and Utilities is complex with a lot of growth opportunity and is a role in which you can stretch yourself to set the foundation for further career development.

Roles & responsibilities:

• Executes the day to day sourcing process according to contract terms and is able to effectively source utilities with increasing complexity and value.
• Assess supplier capabilities through key performance indicators and makes recommendations on supplier acceptability.
• Demonstrates the capability to challenge inefficiencies, process deviations, supply unreliability’s and strategy deviations.
• Manages supplier relationships, including the commercial relationship; identifies and qualifies new suppliers as required.
• Supports the overall Industrial Gas & Utilities group during complex sourcing initiatives and segment strategy development through data modeling and analysis, change management and new process execution.
• Understands strategies for assigned utility segments and proactively drives initiatives to meet utility sourcing objectives.
• Drives sustainability opportunities with supply base to deliver value to the business.
• Works with internal customers to develop and compose bid specification in such a manner that internal customer needs are addressed.
• Selects pre-screened list of suppliers through a RFI process and conduct competitive selection through a RFP process.
• Negotiates, executes and implements commercial agreements and related work processes in accordance with the strategies.
• Works collaboratively with the Delegated Buyers located at the manufacturing sites in the implementation of strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Articulates company’s procurement policies and standards by complying to appropriate governance policies and procedures.

The preferred location for this role is our European HQ in Rotterdam, the role can be filled from our Wesseling location as well.

You Bring This Value

• Bachelor’s degree in (Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical) Engineering and/or Business Economics. A Master’s degree is preferred.
• 6+ years related experience required with a degree (10 years in lieu of a degree).
  • 3+ years of chemical or related industry experience; knowledge related to purchasing and materials management is preferred.
• Experience in manufacturing environment, in Technical or Business related positions preferred.
• Negotiations and contract experience required.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of applications such as SAP, Ariba, Accolade etc. to manage the supply contracts and VEP initiatives.
• Fluent in English language (speaking and writing).
  • In addition fluency in French preferred.

To be successful in this role you must recognize yourself in the following profile:

You have strong data analysis skills that enable you to turn insights into creative and effective solutions. You communicate with confidence and tact, allowing you to raise and address challenging issues constructively. You thrive in a collaborative environment, valuing and recognizing the contributions, advice, and efforts of others. Additionally, you are open to new perspectives, continuously seeking opportunities to improve processes by challenging inefficiencies and addressing deviations.

Candidates will be assessed on the following LYB competencies:

• Build Partnerships
• Deliver Results
• Grow Capabilities
• Promote Inclusion

What We Offer

We offer an environment where we encourage personal and professional growth and where you will be rewarded for your performance and results. You will have the possibility to work with specialist on all fields to develop innovative solutions and to extend your national and international network. In addition, we offer you a competitive salary package. The Company's Global Remote Work Policy allows eligible employees the option to work up to two days a week from home. LyondellBasell is committed to advancing diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) to ensure a positive experience for all employees.

The recruitment process consists of an initial phone screening and two business interviews before proceeding to a possible job offer. A background check will be part of the process as well.

Compensation Disclosure

The compensation and reference to benefits for this role is listed on this posting in compliance with applicable law. Please note that the compensation and benefits listed below are only applicable for Netherlands (NL) payroll offers.

The anticipated salary range for this full-time position is €68,480.00- €94,160.00. The starting compensation will be determined based on skills, experience and qualifications.