Category Manager

Airswift; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Airswift, partnering with a growing chemical manufacturing organization in Houston, seeks a Direct Materials Category Manager to drive sourcing for direct materials, specialty chemicals, and feedstocks. Reporting to Supply Chain leadership, you will manage supplier relationships and negotiate contracts to support manufacturing operations.

You will develop category strategies, perform market analysis, and collaborate cross-functionally to optimize cost, quality, and supply continuity across a

Qualifications

• 5+ years in procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management in chemicals or materials manufacturing.
• Experience sourcing direct materials, raw materials, specialty chemicals, or feedstocks.
• Strong contract negotiation and supplier relationship skills.
• Knowledge of chemical/petrochemical markets and commodity-driven supply chains.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or Chemistry.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing and category management strategies for direct materials and related commodities.
• Lead supplier negotiations, RFQs, contracts, and commercial agreement management.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers to strengthen the supply base.
• Perform market and spend analysis to support decisions and pricing strategies.
• Monitor material market trends to identify opportunities and risks.
• Collaborate with Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, Finance, and Quality to align procurement.
• Drive supplier performance management focusing on cost, quality, service, and delivery.
• Maintain contracts and procurement data in company systems per policies.
• Leverage procurement technologies to improve visibility and sourcing effectiveness.

Skills

Procurement

Strategic Sourcing

Category Management

Supply Chain

Contract Negotiation

Data Analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain

Bachelor's degree in Business

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Chemistry

Tools

SAP

Tableau

Power BI

Coupa

Job description

Airswift is partnering with a growing chemical manufacturing organization backed by private equity to identify a Direct Materials Category Manager to join its Supply Chain team in Houston, TX.

This position will play a critical role in developing and executing sourcing strategies for direct materials, specialty chemicals, and commodity-based raw materials supporting manufacturing operations. Reporting directly to the Supply Chain Director, the successful candidate will manage supplier relationships, negotiate commercial agreements, develop category strategies, and drive cost, quality, and supply continuity across a diverse portfolio of materials.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing and category management strategies for direct materials, specialty chemicals, and commodity-based raw materials.
• Lead supplier negotiations, RFQs, contract development, and commercial agreement management.
• Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers to strengthen the supply base and mitigate risk.
• Perform market analysis, spend analysis, and cost modeling to support sourcing decisions and pricing strategies.
• Monitor raw material, petrochemical, and energy market trends to identify opportunities and risks.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, Finance, and Quality teams to align procurement strategies with business objectives.
• Drive supplier performance management initiatives focused on cost, quality, service, and delivery metrics.
• Maintain pricing, contracts, and procurement data within company systems and ensure compliance with procurement policies and processes.
• Leverage procurement technologies and analytics tools to improve visibility, decision-making, and sourcing effectiveness.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, supply chain, or commercial roles within the chemical, petrochemical, polymer, or materials manufacturing industries.
• Experience sourcing direct materials, raw materials, specialty chemicals, commodities, feedstocks, or related products.
• Strong commercial acumen with demonstrated success negotiating contracts, pricing agreements, and supplier relationships.
• Knowledge of chemical manufacturing, petrochemical markets, or commodity-driven supply chains.
• Experience developing category strategies and delivering cost savings initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills with experience utilizing procurement and business intelligence tools.
• Experience with SAP, Tableau, Power BI, Coupa, or similar systems is highly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment and quickly adapt to new technologies and tools, including AI-enabled solutions.

What Makes This Opportunity Interesting

• Opportunity to join a growing chemical manufacturing organization at a transformational stage of its evolution.
• Direct visibility to Supply Chain leadership with significant influence on sourcing strategy and supplier decisions.
• Ownership of critical direct material categories that directly impact manufacturing performance and profitability.
• Exposure to complex commodity and specialty chemical markets.
• Collaborative environment offering strong mentorship and future growth opportunities as the organization expands.
• Hybrid work schedule based in Houston, TX (3 days onsite / 2 days remote).

If you have experience in chemical industry procurement, category management, strategic sourcing, or commercial negotiations and are interested in joining a growing organization where you can make an immediate impact, I'd be happy to discuss this opportunity confidentially.