Global Category Team Leader Surface Treatment & Surfactants

Henkel; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work scheme with hybrid hours

Global growth opportunities

Health and preventive care programs

Parental leave (8+ weeks)

Employee Share Plan

Job summary

Henkel in Amsterdam is seeking a Global Category Team Leader for Surface Treatment & Surfactants to define and execute global category strategies, align with business ambitions, and lead a high-performing global team across regions.

You will drive end-to-end value creation, push cost optimization, manage supplier portfolios, ensure data accuracy and purchasing standards, and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver sustainable, innovative sourcing.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of professional strategic sourcing experience in a global organization.
• Master’s degree in Procurement, Business Administration, or related field (or Bachelor’s with 8+ years).
• Solid chemistry knowledge or a background in the chemical sector is highly preferred.
• Proven track record in strategic sourcing, strategy creation, and complex negotiations within a global matrix organization.
• Strong business acumen and analytical skills to drive end-to-end cost efficiencies.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Demonstrated leadership skills to steer, motivate, and develop global teams.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, high adaptability, customer focus, and digital savviness.

Responsibilities

• Develop short-, mid-, and long-term global category strategies, targets, and execution models to maximize regional leverage.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a global category team, driving best-in-class sourcing practices and onboarding.
• Foster knowledge sharing and best practice cross-fertilization within the category team and wider procurement organization.
• Systematically define and execute end-to-end cost optimization initiatives.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement robust mitigation strategies for supply and price risks.
• Define, develop, and manage a strategic supplier portfolio to build long-term relationships and tap into supplier innovation.
• Drive and implement value-chain sustainability initiatives in line with company targets.
• Ensure data accuracy, full compliance with purchasing standards, periodic progress reporting, and proper documentation.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional internal stakeholders to steer global sourcing projects.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Negotiation

Chemistry knowledge

Education

Master’s degree in Procurement / related field

Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years experience

Job description

About this position

Are you a strategic procurement leader looking to make a global impact? As the Global Category Team Leader for Surface Treatment & Surfactants, you will define and execute global category strategies aligned with our business ambitions. You will lead a high-performing global team, drive end-to-end value creation, foster innovation, and build a resilient, sustainable supply base across all regions and strategic business units.

What you’ll do

• Develop short-, mid-, and long-term global category strategies, targets, and execution models to maximize regional leverage.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a global category team, driving best-in-class sourcing practices and onboarding.
• Foster knowledge sharing and best practice cross-fertilization within the category team and wider procurement organization.
• Systematically define and execute end-to-end cost optimization initiatives.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement robust mitigation strategies for supply and price risks.
• Define, develop, and manage a strategic supplier portfolio to build long-term relationships and tap into supplier innovation.
• Drive and implement value-chain sustainability initiatives in line with company targets.
• Ensure data accuracy, full compliance with purchasing standards, periodic progress reporting, and proper documentation.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional internal stakeholders to steer global sourcing projects.

What makes you a good fit

• Minimum 6 years of professional strategic sourcing experience in a global organization.
• Master’s degree in Procurement, Business Administration, or related field (or Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of relevant experience).
• Solid chemistry knowledge or a background in the chemical sector is highly preferred.
• Proven track record in strategic sourcing, strategy creation, and complex negotiations within a global matrix organization.
• Strong business acumen and analytical skills to drive end-to-end cost efficiencies.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Demonstrated leadership skills to steer, motivate, and develop global teams.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, high adaptability, customer focus, and digital savviness.
• Market experience or value-chain knowledge in relevant chemical industries is a strong advantage.

Some perks of joining Henkel

• Flexible work scheme with flexible hours, hybrid work model, and work from anywhere policy for up to 30 days per year
• Diverse national and international growth opportunities
• Global wellbeing standards with health and preventive care programs
• Gender-neutral parental leave for a minimum of 8 weeks
• Employee Share Plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matching shares
• Pension Fund
• Disability Insurance
• Health Insurance discount
• Canteen discount