Category Manager- Raw Materials Chemicals (University Park, IL)

Verdant Specialty Solutions LLC; University Park (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Verdant Specialty Solutions LLC is seeking an experienced Category Manager – Raw Materials Chemicals to lead strategic sourcing and supplier management for oleochemical and commodity chemical categories. You will report to Procurement Director and partner with global suppliers across North America and Southeast Asia to drive cost competitiveness and supply reliability.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, 5+ years in procurement, experience sourcing globally, and strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related field.
• At least 5 years of procurement or strategic sourcing experience in the chemical industry.
• Experience sourcing globally, including North America and Southeast Asia.
• Strong understanding of oleochemical and commodity chemical markets and feedstocks.
• Demonstrated ability to develop should-cost models and apply TCO to sourcing decisions.
• Proven negotiation skills and supplier relationship management experience.
• SAP experience and advanced Excel skills for spend analysis and forecasting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for oleochemicals and commodity chemicals balancing cost, quality, and supply reliability.
• Identify and develop global suppliers in North America and Southeast Asia.
• Lead negotiations on pricing, contracts, terms, and supply agreements.
• Build should-cost models and apply total cost of ownership to sourcing decisions.
• Monitor commodity markets, feedstock pricing, and palm/coconut value chains to anticipate trends.
• Collaborate with Planning, Operations, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, and Finance.
• Track savings, cost trends, and supplier performance; report market developments to stakeholders.
• Use SAP and Excel to analyze spend and develop forecasts.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Supplier management

Data analysis

Excel

SAP

Forecasting

Global collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Business/Chemical Engineering/Chemistry

Tools

SAP

Advanced Excel

Job description

Know how to turn commodity market insights into smarter sourcing decisions?

Verdant Specialty Solutions is looking for an experienced Category Manager – Raw Materials Chemicals to lead strategic sourcing and supplier management for key oleochemical and commodity chemical categories.

Reporting to the Procurement Director, you’ll develop sourcing strategies, negotiate supplier agreements, and identify opportunities to improve cost competitiveness and supply reliability. You’ll work closely with global suppliers, including those in North America and Southeast Asia, and collaborate across Planning, Operations, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, and Finance to support business needs.

What You’ll Own

• Strategic sourcing: Develop and execute sourcing strategies for oleochemicals and commodity chemicals that balance cost, quality, and supply reliability.
• Global supplier relationships: Identify, evaluate, and develop suppliers across North America and Southeast Asia, building relationships that support long‑term business needs.
• Supplier negotiations: Lead negotiations on pricing, contracts, payment terms, and supply agreements to deliver competitive commercial outcomes.
• Cost analysis: Build should‑cost models, evaluate supplier proposals, and apply total cost of ownership (TCO) principles to sourcing decisions.
• Commodity market intelligence: Monitor global commodity markets, feedstock pricing, and palm- and coconut‑based value chains to anticipate trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Supply continuity: Partner with internal teams and suppliers to address supply risks, improve supplier performance, and maintain reliable material availability.
• Procurement performance: Track sourcing savings, cost trends, and supplier performance while communicating market developments and risks to stakeholders.
• Data and reporting: Use SAP and advanced Excel capabilities to analyze spend, develop forecasts, and support data‑driven procurement decisions.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of procurement or strategic sourcing experience within the chemical industry.
• Experience sourcing globally, including North America and Southeast Asia.
• Strong understanding of oleochemical and commodity chemical markets, including palm- and coconut‑based feedstocks and value chains.
• Demonstrated ability to develop should‑cost models and apply total cost of ownership principles to sourcing decisions.
• Proven negotiation skills and experience managing supplier relationships, commercial agreements, and supply risks.
• SAP experience required, along with advanced Excel skills for spend analysis, forecasting, and reporting.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to turn market intelligence and procurement data into actionable sourcing strategies.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work across functions and with international suppliers.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively to changing market conditions.

Why Verdant?

You'll join a global specialty chemicals business where strategic sourcing plays an important role in cost competitiveness, supply reliability, and operational performance. This position offers the opportunity to influence sourcing decisions, build global supplier relationships, and deliver measurable improvements in procurement performance.