Regional Category Manager - MRO (m/f/d)

PPG; Wrocław; On-site; PLN 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

PPG is seeking a Category Manager to strategically lead all EMEA MRO procurement initiatives. You will negotiate with suppliers, drive cost reductions, and shape global and regional sourcing plans across MRO and PPE/workwear categories.

You will work with functional stakeholders and local buyers across regions, manage RFPs and supplier performance, and ensure adherence to PPG’s purchasing policies while traveling up to 20% as required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in Manufacturing related Services strategic sourcing and management.
• 2+ years in regional or global project management with proven records.
• Proficiency with establishing contracts, monitoring performance and issue resolution.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for global/regional MRO procurement strategy with stakeholders.
• Prepare annual category plans to align regions and countries.
• Develop global/region sourcing projects for critical categories.
• Identify cost savings opportunities through market research and trends.
• Work with local buyers to optimize bid projects aligning with operations and engineering.
• Develop leadership reviews of suppliers and upcoming projects.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Project management

Contract management

Tools

Spend management software

Job description

Ready to take your procurement expertise to the next level on a global stage?

The Category Manager is responsible for strategically managing all EMEA’s MRO activities – negotiating agreements that optimize the total value for PPG in compliance with established purchasing policies. They will be responsible for overseeing projects and supplier relationships. This role will support the development of Global and EMEA strategies, conduct RFPs, lead the selection of suppliers, define the implementation strategy and monitor compliance.

Role

The Category Manager plays a critical role developing and implementing sourcing strategies, with a global or/and regional perspective, to strategically source the following areas:

• MRO (eg Production Consumables)
• PPE, Workwear

If you're a skilled negotiator with a strategic mindset and a passion for delivering measurable results, this is your opportunity to make a significant impact in a global, innovation-driven company.

Principal Accountabilities

• Provide strategic direction for the global or regional MRO procurement strategy working directly with Functional stakeholders and Procurement team within EMEA region and where applicable between the regions (Americas, EMEA, APAC) to drive and influence best practices.
• Prepare annual category plans to align the regions and countries.
• Develop global or regional strategic sourcing projects (where applicable) for critical categories using the strategic sourcing process.
• Identify and implement solutions to drive incremental cost reductions and cost avoidance opportunities through category knowledge by researching and understanding industry trends at the regional and global level.
• Work closely with the relevant Functional teams and the Local Buyers in each region and country to assess, optimize and implement bid projects that align with Operations and Engineering Teams and other key functions strategic roadmap.
• Develop communication reviews with leadership, reviewing critical suppliers, upcoming projects and an understanding of the forward business needs.

Additional Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with Strategic Business Units, Functional Teams, and Procurement partners to understand requirements and resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Utilize various purchasing electronic tools including spend management software to submit RFIs, RFPs, Reverse auctions to strategically source global suppliers.
• Continually evaluate supplier performance with a global viewpoint to identify opportunities for cost savings and improvements. Configuring performance management of critical suppliers.
• Ensure purchasing function is carried out in an ethical and professional manner.
• Foster and utilize world class purchasing practices that comply with all PPG’s Corporate Purchasing Policies.

Required Skills

Knowledge:

• 5+ years of experience in Manufacturing related Services strategic sourcing and management.
• 2+ years of experience in regional or global project management with proven records of accomplishment.
• Proficiency with establishing contracts, monitoring performance and issue resolution.

Skills

• Ability to act with autonomy.
• Proactive, hands-on and results-oriented. Embraces getting the job done and is a finisher / completer.
• Ability to influence and manage conflicts throughout the global organization.
• Structured in initiating and leading change through cross-functional teams.
• Ability to analyze data and to apply strategic frameworks for continual development.
• Strong purchasing and project leadership skills.
• Ability to use relevant tools to create reverse auctions and RFPs and manage vendor responses and bids to help maximize value.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of vendors, customers, or employees of the organization.
• Willing to travel 20% of the time.

How we work:

At PPG, we bring teams together to accelerate collaboration and career development, with in-person work Monday through Thursday and the opportunity to work remotely on Flexible Fridays. Schedules may vary by location.

About Us

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD®

Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPG on X.

The PPG Way 2030

We are customer champions

Proactive. Bold. Trustworthy. Everything we do starts with our customers. We listen, move fast and don’t stop until we solve their biggest challenges. When our customers win, we all grow.

We act with purpose and speed

Agile. Data-driven. Empowered. We take smart risks to stay ahead of the competition. We work proactively with agility, using quality data to develop solutions that create value.

We are excellent operators

Productive. Collaborative. Accountable. No matter our role, we identify problems, take ownership and always bring solutions. We are both proactive and responsive to drive continuous improvement and deliver results. We support our frontline, the faces of PPG to our customers.

We compete to win

Future-focused. Driven. Ambitious. We are passionate about growing our business and winning with our customers. We deliver results, embrace new technologies and leverage agility and speed as strengths.

We are PPG proud

Strong. United. Passionate. We work safely, act with integrity and value our diverse perspectives. We celebrate achievements and take pride in the positive impact we create together to protect and beautify the world.

At PPG we use AI in the hiring process to make the process more efficient. AI tools do not make hiring decisions. You can learn more by going to https://careers.ppg.com/us/en/candidate-resources.

PPG provides equal opportunity to all candidates and employees. We offer an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

If you need an adjustment due to a disability, please email [e-mail].

PPG pay ranges and benefits can vary by location which allows us to compensate employees competitively in different geographic markets. PPG considers several factors in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, qualifications and education, licensure and certifications, and other organizational needs. Other incentives may apply.

Our employee benefits programs are designed to support the health and well-being of our employees. Any insurance coverages and benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents. Benefits will be discussed with you by your recruiter during the hiring process.

PPG values your feedback on our recruiting process. We encourage you to visit Glassdoor.com and provide feedback on the process, so that we can do better today than yesterday.