Global Category Manager

Nouryon; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 117,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

LifeCheck Employee Assistance Program

Bike plan

Company fitness plan

Public transport connections

Job summary

Nouryon in Amsterdam-Zuidoost is seeking a Global Category Manager to own two strategic global petrochemical material categories. You will drive end-to-end sourcing roadmaps, lead high-stakes negotiations, and build long‑term supplier partnerships across regions for sustainable value creation.

You will collaborate with Operations, R&D, Finance and Sustainability to optimize total cost of ownership, ensure supply security, and drive product innovation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, Chemistry, or related field.
• 7+ years in strategic procurement or category management in global petrochemical or chemical raw materials.
• Experience managing high-value global spend portfolios.
• Extensive senior-level negotiation experience.
• Advanced strategic thinking and data analysis skills.
• Fluency in English (verbal & written).
• Ability to drive multiple workstreams across two categories.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive multi-year sourcing roadmaps across petrochemical materials and intermediates.
• Lead high-stakes negotiations and long-term contracting.
• Collaborate with Operations, R&D, Supply Chain, Finance, and Quality.
• Align specifications to optimize total cost of ownership and enable product innovation.
• Represent Procurement in senior forums and present strategy and risks.

Skills

Fluency in English

Autonomy

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Data-driven

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, Chemistry, or related field

Tools

SAP

Ariba

Job description

Shape Nouryon’s global petrochemical sourcing strategy in a high-impact role with full ownership of two critical raw material categories. As Global Category Manager, you’ll be at the center of major commercial decisions, leading complex negotiations and steering long-term supplier partnerships across multiple regions. If you thrive on strategic responsibility, data-driven decision making, and influencing at senior levels, this role will give you the scope and visibility to make a real difference.

About the job

Our Direct Procurement team is a global group of 45 professionals managing Nouryon’s strategic raw material base — a portfolio with significant impact on our cost position, product quality, and sustainability agenda. Around 20 colleagues are based in our modern office in Amsterdam-Zuidoost, with others embedded in key regions close to our markets and suppliers. The team works closely with Manufacturing, R&D, Finance, Sustainability, and our business units to ensure reliable, cost‑effective, and sustainable supply.

As Global Category Manager you will play a key role in this team, with end‑to‑end responsibility for two strategically important global categories within our petrochemical value chain: a core portfolio of petrochemical raw materials and intermediates, and a range of downstream petrochemical products and derivatives — both directly tied to Nouryon’s core business performance. You will have significant visibility and the autonomy to define and implement category strategies, lead high‑stakes negotiations, and build long‑term supplier partnerships that directly support Nouryon’s growth and performance.

In your future role as Global Category Manager you will

Own and drive multi-year sourcing roadmaps across key petrochemical raw materials and intermediates, balancing cost, supply security, sustainability, and innovation in structurally different global markets. Conduct deep market intelligence, cost-driver analysis, and risk assessments across petrochemical feedstock and downstream product supply chains to identify opportunities and secure competitive advantage. Lead complex global negotiations and long-term contracting, structuring deals that deliver durable value and protect Nouryon’s supply position in tight or volatile markets. Serve as the primary strategic partner to Business Line leadership, translating business needs into sourcing strategies. Collaborate with Operations, R&D, Supply Chain, Finance, and Quality to align specifications, optimize total cost of ownership, and enable product innovation. Represent Procurement in senior forums, presenting strategy, risks, and commercial recommendations. Build and maintain long‑term, strategic relationships with global suppliers. Drive supplier segmentation, performance reviews, development initiatives, and innovation discussions. Monitor global market dynamics across petrochemical feedstocks, intermediates, and derivatives. Champion cost‑out programs, value engineering initiatives, and total cost of ownership improvements that directly strengthen Nouryon’s margin and competitiveness.

We believe you bring

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, Chemistry, or related field
• At least 7 years working experience in strategic procurement or category management, with a track record in complex global commodity categories, preferably in petrochemicals or related chemical raw materials.
• Proven success managing complex, high-value global spend portfolios, including experience handling dual-category or multi-market scope.
• Extensive negotiation experience at a senior level, with the ability to influence across organizational boundaries and land complex commercial concepts with both suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Advanced strategic thinking skills with ability to analyze data, understand interdependencies and develop strategies at global category level.
• Fluency in English, both verbal as well as in writing.
• The ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, driving multiple workstreams simultaneously across two complex global categories.

Great if you have knowledge of or exposure to petrochemical raw materials, intermediates, derivatives, or related commodity markets.

Affinity with procurement systems such as SAP and Ariba.

We believe you are

A natural connector who builds trusted relationships at all levels — from plant managers and R&D leads to C‑suite stakeholders and global supplier executives. Commercially driven and outcome‑focused, always connecting procurement decisions to measurable business impact. Analytically sharp, able to cut through complexity and translate market data into clear strategic choices.

We offer you

• A permanent contract with a probationary period of 2 months.
• A gross basic annual salary including holiday allowance based on your knowledge and experience between EUR 116.500 and EUR 140.000.
• 25 vacation days + 10 leave days.
• A performance bonus based on KPI’s.
• An excellent pension plan with a strong contribution rate, most of which is paid by Nouryon.
• LifeCheck Employee Assistance Program: Free, confidential wellbeing support for you and your family.
• Bright, modern offices with excellent public transport connections.
• An attractive bike plan.
• A company fitness plan to stay active and healthy.

Good to know

This is a permanent, full‑time position based in Amsterdam (Amsterdam‑Zuid Oost) with an international travel component of approximately 15–20% to meet suppliers and business stakeholders across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. You will report directly to the Procurement Director EMEA, who is also based in Amsterdam.

Contact

For additional information about the vacancy please contact Kevin Prins; Talent Acquisition Partner. [e-mail]

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