Global Category Manager - Recycled Resins

Novolex; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Novolex is seeking a Global Category Manager, Recycled Resins to lead sourcing and category management for circular materials across Flexible and Rigid Packaging.

The role will drive cost optimization, supply assurance, sustainability advancement, and risk mitigation while collaborating with Sustainability, Innovation, Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial, and Finance teams.

Qualifications

• Global category management experience with recycled resins or related materials.
• Experience leading strategic sourcing, RFIs, RFPs, negotiations, and contract management.
• Strong sustainability focus and knowledge of circular materials and regulatory trends.
• Proven ability to influence across functions and secure supplier performance.

Responsibilities

• Manage the recycled resin category globally with full accountability for performance.
• Develop category strategies for cost, supply continuity, innovation, sustainability and risk.
• Lead sourcing for PCR, PIR, mechanically recycled and advanced recycled resin solutions.
• Drive supplier negotiations and secure commercial agreements aligned with business objectives.
• Establish supplier performance metrics and scorecards for cost, quality, delivery, and sustainability.
• Communicate trends, opportunities, risks, and recommendations to leadership.

Skills

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Supplier relationship management

Cross-functional leadership

Sustainability

Market analysis

Project management

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated, strategic, and results-driven Global Category Manager, Recycled Resins to lead sourcing and category management activities for circular materials and recycled resins used across our Flexible and Rigid Packaging businesses.

This role is responsible for developing and executing global category strategies that drive value creation through cost optimization, supply assurance, sustainability advancement, innovation, and risk mitigation. The successful candidate will work closely with cross-functional teams including Sustainability, Innovation, Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial, and Finance to secure competitive supply solutions while supporting the company's recycled-content commitments and sustainability goals.

The Global Category Manager will serve as a subject matter expert on recycled resin markets, supplier capabilities, emerging technologies, regulatory developments, and sustainability trends influencing the packaging industry.

Ideal candidates will be based in Lake Forest, IL, Charlotte, NC, or Covington, KY.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Sourcing Leadership

• Manage the recycled resin category on a global basis with full accountability for category performance.
• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with company objectives for cost, supply continuity, innovation, sustainability, and risk management.
• Develop sourcing strategies for post-consumer recycled (PCR), post-industrial recycled (PIR), mechanically recycled, and advanced recycled resin solutions.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives including RFIs, RFPs, negotiations, supplier selections, and contract management.
• Identify cost savings opportunities and supply chain efficiencies across the category.
• Maintain comprehensive category plans, project documentation, contracts, and sourcing records.
• Support make-versus-buy analyses and strategic business decisions.
• Monitor recycled resin market dynamics including feedstock availability, bale pricing, recycling economics, capacity expansions, competitive activity, and emerging technologies.
• Build cost models and market forecasts to support sourcing decisions and pricing negotiations.
• Conduct spending analyses to evaluate supplier allocation, category trends, cost drivers, and value creation opportunities.
• Develop market benchmarks and best practices to drive best-in-class procurement performance across business units.
• Communicate market trends, opportunities, risks, and recommendations to leadership and key stakeholders.
• Develop, evaluate, and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers.
• Lead supplier negotiations and secure commercial agreements that support business objectives.
• Establish supplier performance metrics and scorecards covering cost, quality, delivery, service, sustainability, and innovation.
• Drive supplier development initiatives focused on improving quality, capacity, traceability, sustainability metrics, and operational reliability.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities and support qualification of new suppliers, technologies, and recycled materials.
• Own supplier performance and corrective action processes when required.

Sustainability & Innovation

• Partner with Sustainability, R&D, Product Development, Commercial, and Operations teams to achieve recycled-content objectives and sustainability targets.
• Support innovation initiatives with suppliers that improve product performance, material circularity, and environmental outcomes.
• Identify and commercialize new recycled resin technologies and supply solutions.
• Support qualification and implementation of new materials to support customer and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain awareness of evolving sustainability regulations, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs, food-contact requirements, and recycled-content legislation.

Risk Management & Supply Assurance

• Proactively identify and mitigate supply risks through supplier diversification, business continuity planning, inventory strategies, and alternate material qualifications.
• Monitor geopolitical, regulatory, operational, and market risks that could impact supply continuity.
• Develop contingency plans to ensure uninterrupted supply to manufacturing operations.
• Support crisis management and rapid response efforts during market disruptions.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead cross-functional sourcing and innovation projects without direct reporting authority.
• Build strong partnerships across Procurement, Sustainability, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, Finance, and R&D.
• Influence stakeholders through data-driven insights and strategic recommendations.
• Communicate project progress, achievements, risks, and key decisions to leadership teams.