Commodity & Chemical Category Manager

Nine Dragons Paper Ltd.; Wisconsin Rapids (WI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

ND Paper is seeking a Commodity & Chemical Category Manager to spearhead sourcing strategies for critical chemical inputs. This role involves managing supplier performance and driving cost efficiencies while collaboratively supporting operations and sustainability goals. Candidates should possess strong negotiation and analytical skills, coupled with relevant industry experience.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401K retirement plan with company match

Paid holidays and vacation days

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing or category management.
• Proficient in negotiation and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead comprehensive sourcing strategies for key commodity and chemical categories.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance while ensuring compliance.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical Skills

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems (SAP preferred)

Excel-based modeling

Job description

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Job Title: Commodity & Chemical Category Manager

About Us

ND Paper, a leading paper product manufacturer in the US with approx. $1 billion annual sales, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Limited, the largest containerboard producer in China and Asia, with $10 billion annual sales. We are an environmentally friendly company that manufactures various types of high-quality pulp, paper and paper-based packaging materials. Our mills in Rumford, Maine and Biron Wisconsin are integrated paper & pulp facilities, and our mill in Fairmont, West Virginia is one of only three in the world that produces air-dried, recycled pulp. Our fourth mill in Old Town, ME produces softwood kraft pulp. We are proud of our 1400 dedicated employees, who together produce more than 1.2 million short tons of pulp & paper annually.

The Commodity & Chemical Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for chemical and commodity inputs critical to ND Paper's mill operations. This role drives supplier performance, negotiates cost efficiencies, ensures supply continuity, and supports the company’s cost, quality, and sustainability objectives. The ideal candidate brings strong commercial acumen, deep industry knowledge in pulp and paper chemical markets, and cross-functional leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Develop and lead end-to-end sourcing strategies for key commodity and chemical categories (e.g., caustic soda, starches, polymers, colorants, process chemicals).
• Perform total cost of ownership (TCO) analyses and market intelligence reviews to inform procurement decisions.
• Identify and qualify suppliers aligned with ND Paper’s mill production needs and environmental compliance standards.
  
  

Supplier Relationship & Performance Management

• Manage strategic supplier relationships, including performance reviews, corrective actions, and innovation partnerships.
• Negotiate long-term agreements and mitigate supply risk through multi-sourcing or buffer strategies.
• Collaborate with Quality, Technical, and EHS teams to ensure supplier compliance with ND Paper specifications and safety protocols.
  
  

Operational Support

• Partner with mill-based operations, production planning, and logistics to ensure seamless inbound supply of chemicals and raw materials.
• Monitor usage trends, coordinate with inventory teams, and proactively address supply-demand imbalances.
• Work closely with finance and accounting to ensure accurate price tracking and budget forecasting.
  
  

Continuous Improvement & Cost Savings

• Drive year-over-year savings targets through competitive bidding, value engineering, or alternate formulations.
• Lead or support cross-functional initiatives to improve procurement operations, sustainability, or product performance.
• Stay ahead of market trends in pulp & paper and chemical supply chains, including regulatory impacts (e.g., REACH, TSCA, EPA rules).
  
  

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing or category management, preferably in chemicals, pulp & paper, or heavy manufacturing.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and project management skills.
• Proficient in ERP/MRP systems (SAP preferred) and Excel-based modeling.
  
  

Preferred

• Experience managing categories exceeding $20M in annual spend.
• Technical understanding of industrial chemicals and how they impact paper manufacturing.
• Knowledge of sustainability regulations and supplier risk frameworks.
  
  

Key Competencies

• Influence Without Authority – Drives change and alignment across mills and corporate without formal control.
• Negotiation & Persuasion – Confidently navigates pricing, service terms, and supplier accountability.
• Analytical Thinking – Assesses options with rigor; makes decisions backed by data.
• Curiosity & Industry Insight – Stays informed on chemical trends, market shifts, and innovation.
• Resilience – Maintains performance under pressure, especially during supply chain disruptions.
• Ethics & Integrity – Prioritizes compliance, sustainability, and responsible sourcing practices.
  
  

Success Indicators

Category

Definition

What Success Looks Like

Strategic Sourcing Expertise

Deep knowledge of sourcing practices, market analysis, and negotiation tactics

Develops and executes category strategies that yield >5% YoY cost savings and mitigate inflationary pressures

Chemical Category Knowledge

Technical and commercial understanding of industrial chemicals used in pulp & paper manufacturing

Selects suppliers based on cost, quality, environmental impact, and innovation potential

Supplier Relationship Management

Ability to build strong supplier partnerships while holding them accountable to performance

90%+ of chemical suppliers meet or exceed quality, delivery, and compliance targets

Cross-functional Collaboration

Works fluidly with operations, technical, EHS, and logistics teams

Is trusted by mill leaders; supports smooth execution of trials, changeovers, and formulations

Risk & Compliance Management

Proactively identifies and mitigates supplier and regulatory risk

No unplanned mill outages due to chemical supply failures; 100% regulatory compliance

Commercial Acumen

Understands cost drivers, global markets, and can manage contracts effectively

Negotiates contracts with favorable payment terms, price indexing, and market protection clauses

Operational Agility

Responsive to urgent needs without sacrificing long-term planning

Balances short-term firefighting with long-term strategy; keeps operations stable in volatile markets

Data-Driven Mindset

Uses TCO analysis, should-cost modeling, and dashboards to drive decisions

Produces monthly category reports, tracks KPIs, and supports budgeting with accurate forecasts

Attributes for Success

• Hard work – tackle each task with determination, passion and creativity; the willingness to put in whatever effort is required to successfully complete the job at hand.
• Pursuit of Excellence – strive to consistently exceed expectations in our day-to-day work and outperform our competitors in the marketplace, regarding work and company achievements as a collaborative goal with the desire to go above and beyond.
• Integrity - treat the company and teammates with upmost respect, operating on strong moral codes to drive company values and culture.
• Sense of Urgency – drive forward each day with speed, agility, and flexibility to capture unrealized opportunities and avoid potential risks for the business.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit – act like an owner, challenging the status quo, asking the right questions, and actively seeking ways to innovate and improve.
• Adaptability – be fluid with ND Paper’s continuous evolution while driving change in a fast-paced environment, equipped with the ability to acclimate quickly.
• Servant Leadership – set an example by implementing meaningful leadership with heart, empathy, foresight and stewardship.
  
  

ND Paper Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as voluntary benefits such as accident insurance, hospital indemnity, and critical illness for you and your family.
• Financial protection benefits, including life insurance, disability insurance, and business travel accident insurance.
• Tax advantaged accounts such as Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Paid holidays, personal days, and vacation days to support work-life balance.
• A 401K retirement plan with a company match and annual fixed contribution.
• Wellness programs with incentives and an on-site clinic available at our Rumford and Biron location.
  
  

Enjoy competitive salaries, comprehensive health benefits, and paid time off. Discover more about our benefits and how we support our team by visiting 2025 Benefits . Come be a part of our team and grow with us!

Apply

Please submit your resume, and salary requirements to https://us.ndpaper.com/careers

No unsolicited resumes - ND Paper does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Any unsolicited resume you submit to us will immediately become the property of ND Paper. If you would like to become a recruiter for ND Paper, please contact us and we will agree in writing to terms and the specific job roles for which you are authorized to recruit.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Marketing and Sales

• Industries

  Paper and Forest Product Manufacturing

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