Category Manager - Direct Materials

The Chemours Company; Delaware; On-site; USD 110,544 - 172,725; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Compensation

Comprehensive Benefits Packages

401(k) Match

Tuition Reimbursement

Learning and Development Opportunities

Job summary

A leading chemical manufacturer is seeking a Category Manager for Direct Materials to drive strategic sourcing processes and develop category strategies across multiple business units. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of experience in the chemical industry, demonstrating strong negotiation skills and the ability to manage supplier contracts effectively. This role offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package including a 401(k) match and learning opportunities.

Qualifications

• 7 years of experience in procuring or managing categories related to the chemical industry.
• Strong expertise in category management and vendor management.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic sourcing process to develop global category strategies.
• Identify and mitigate supply risk; develop effective risk strategies.
• Negotiate agreements and manage supplier contracts.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation skills

Data analytics

Supply risk management

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain or engineering

Master’s in business (MBA) or supply chain certifications

Tools

MS Office Suite

SAP (S4/HANA)

S2P software such as GEP, Ariba, Keelvar

Job description

Category Manager - Direct Materials

We invite you to join our Corporate Procurement team at Chemours. This role reports directly to the Procurement Director – Advanced Performance Materials and Thermal & Specialized Solutions at our Wilmington, DE headquarters.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic sourcing process by gathering inputs/requirements/business objectives to develop and lead global category strategies that may include both specialties such as precious metals and catalysts as well as commodities such as hydrofluorocarbons and other critical raw materials to deliver reliable, cost‑advantaged, and sustainable supply across multiple business units.
• Strategic thought partner that fosters strong cross‑functional engagement and working partnerships to enable strategic planning and forecasting. Understand customer requirements such as volume, price, quality, delivery mode, supply risk and supply chain impacts and incorporate them into category strategies. Executive‑level engagements with internal and supplier stakeholders which require advanced communication and personal skills and deep business understanding.
• Identify and mitigate supply risk, critical path supplies and services and help monitor/manage related site risks. Proactively develop and implement effective risk mitigation strategies for key materials.
• Define negotiation targets: most desired outcome, best alternative, least acceptable outcome. Develop negotiation plans, gain alignment from stakeholders, lead cross‑functional negotiation teams, and drive commercial negotiations to achieve best possible TCO pricing while maintaining set quality standards. Negotiate, prepare and execute procurement agreements.
• Conduct negotiations, document agreements in contract terms and conditions, conduct contract legal and financial reviews, obtain internal approvals, implement contracts, review contract/supplier performance after implementation. Review and manage supplier contracts to ensure compliance with terms and conditions, drive value on new and existing contracts. Author agreements with firm KPIs that enhance compliance.
• Work efficiently between internal data (spend, contract data) and external intel and market trends, analyze local and macro markets, and identify opportunities to optimize category portfolio to drive maximum value. Utilize data analytics to identify purchasing trends, identify timing for commercial action, and inform decision‑makers.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activity, and customer demand to identify potential products or services and suppliers. Understand supply market – production routes, supplier share, market price, alternatives. Drive cost efficiency challenges in a volatile commodity market and chemical indices that require constant market monitoring.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers, negotiate pricing, payment terms, and delivery schedules. Facilitate new supplier introductions; manage, consolidate, and drive lower tail spend where feasible.
• Develop category/sub‑category sourcing strategy and align with business and stakeholders. Prepare regular reports on category performance, key insights, and actionable recommendations to senior managers.
• Develop metrics and work with digital to automate. Understand and align with the goals and requirements of stakeholders and share progress and results of dashboards, metrics, KPIs and benchmarks.
• Drive cost savings/avoidance, and working capital improvements through collaborative efforts with suppliers, internal customers and procurement category managers.
• Mentor/co‑coach Associate Category Managers on category management, supplier management, supply risk, and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead bidding strategy and execute RFX, requests for proposals and competitive bids. Drive use of bidding optimizations/automation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain or engineering.
• Must have 7 years of experience procuring or managing categories related to the chemical industry.
• Strong expertise in strategic sourcing or supply chain management domain experience (category management, vendor management, SRM, supply risk, regulatory compliance, segmentation/taxonomy).
• Strategic leadership skills in developing and nurturing strong working ties with site leadership and operations teams.
• Strong negotiation skills and experience managing and negotiating contracts to meet business needs and objectives.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, Outlook & Internet applications and the ability to create and interpret key reports.
• Strong working knowledge/experience in business analysis, market research, financial analysis, cost models, procurement/supply chain analysis and supplier performance management.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills; self‑motivated with the ability to handle multiple tasks and assignments simultaneously, with attention to detail, deadlines, and reporting.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues across the organization, as well as internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work well autonomously and within a team in a fast‑paced and deadline‑oriented environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills (including analysis, interpretation, & reasoning).
• Business acumen – creating, positioning and negotiating commercial arrangements that deliver competitive advantage. Ability to build a strong business case with data and present it to senior management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s in business (MBA) or supply chain certifications.
• Strong expertise in source‑to‑pay (S2P) software such as GEP, Ariba, Keelvar or similar.
• Proficiency in SAP (S4/HANA) or higher or an equivalent ERP business system.
• Good working knowledge of go‑to‑market strategies such as reverse auctions, eSourcing, etc.
• High motivation and self‑awareness.
• Analytical capability.
• Results‑driven with strong communication skills.
• Six Sigma Greenbelt+ Certification(s).

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation
• Comprehensive Benefits Packages
• 401(k) Match
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Commuter Benefits
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Strong Inclusion and Diversity Initiatives
• Company‑paid Volunteer Day

Compensation

Pay Range (in Local Currency): $110,544.00 - $172,725.00

Chemours Level: 26

Annual Bonus Target: 11%

Chemours is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, religion, color, gender, disability, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. Jurisdictions may have additional grounds for non‑discrimination, and we comply with all applicable laws.

Chemours is an E‑Verify employer.

Candidates must be able to perform all duties listed with or without accommodation.

Immigration sponsorship (i.e., H1‑B visa, F‑1 visa (OPT), TN visa or any other non‑immigrant status) is not currently available for this position.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Chemours we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace for our employees. We encourage you to apply anyway if you are excited about this role, even if your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the position description.