Manager - Category Indirect Services

Westlake Chemical; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Chemical seeks a Category Manager to develop and execute sourcing strategies for indirect categories, focusing on services and rental equipment/materials across North America. You will lead cross-functional teams, drive supplier consolidation, and manage contracts with preferred vendors.

The role requires extensive experience in manufacturing or petrochemical procurement, strong negotiation and analytics skills, and collaboration across legal, safety, and business teams.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Engineering, B.A. Supply Chain/Procurement, or related field; Master’s degree beneficial.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in manufacturing, refining or petrochemical industries; preferred services or related sourcing experience.
• Knowledge of plant purchasing, plant warehouse and contract negotiations/management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and effective presentation skills.
• Knowledge of petrochemical or other manufacturing industries and related indirect category spend; SAP experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes strategies for sourcing, procurement and logistics of assigned categories.
• Identify and implement best-in-class sourcing strategies to support continuity of supply, quality, cost and business unit requirements.
• Develop category objectives using KPIs and manage to meet them.
• Utilize strategic sourcing practices to provide the best total cost supply chain solution.
• Lead cross-functional teams to develop and maintain consolidated strategic supply bases.
• Monitor teams to ensure compliance with established strategies and preferred vendors.
• Direct market analysis for category purchases and assess strategy fit with Westlake’s requirements.
• Develop and implement global category cost reduction strategies addressing material and logistics costs.
• Execute projects reducing category costs contributing to EBITDA.
• Direct development of routine cost forecasts supporting financial plans.
• Recommend processes, systems and reporting for category purchasing activities.
• Collaborate with Legal on contract negotiations and with HS&E for safety/compliance.
• Establish preferred supply base and manage supplier relationships via scorecards.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policy and Sox controls.
• Lead RFX, negotiations, supplier sourcing and compliance for defined commodities.
• Any other responsibilities as assigned.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

B.S. in Engineering

Master’s degree in Business (beneficial)

Tools

SAP

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.

SUMMARY

The Category Manager responsibilities are considered integral to the success and profitability of the business. The job of the Category Manager is to develop and execute a comprehensive sourcing strategy for their respective categories. The Category Manager will manage the assigned Indirect categories, the preferred vendor base, identify cost reduction opportunities, negotiate contracts, and evaluate market conditions for potential opportunities and threats to their categories and the company. This job opening will focus on, but not limited to Indirect Services and supporting rental equipment/materials.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develops and executes strategies for the sourcing, procurement and logistics of assigned categories for Westlake North America HIP and PEM divisions.
• Identify and implement best in class sourcing strategy and practices which support continuity of supply, quality, cost and business unit requirements.
• Develop and implement category objectives using key performance indicators. Manage category objectives to insure the KPI’s are met.
• Utilize strategic sourcing practices, processes and techniques across the organization to provide the best total cost supply chain solution.
• Establish and lead cross functional teams to develop, execute and maintain cross company sourcing strategies driving acceptance and use of a consolidated strategic supply base.
• Monitor cross functional teams to maintain compliance with establish strategic strategies and preferred vendors.
• Directs market analysis for all historical and potential future category purchases. Assesses the ability of the category strategy to satisfy Westlake’s volume, quality, performance and total delivered cost requirements.
• Develops and implements global category cost reduction strategies addressing material cost, logistics cost, and quality.
• Executes projects leading to specific reductions in category costs contributing to each business’ EBITDA performance.
• Directs development of routine category cost forecasts supporting each business’ financial forecast.
• Recommends processes, systems, and performance management reporting for category purchasing activities.
• Collaborates with Legal on contract negotiations, management and execution; collaborates with HS&E and regulatory SME’s to ensure safety and compliance of category purchases and logistics methods with preferred suppliers.
• Establish a preferred supply base and manage via suppler relationship management programs, including supplier scorecards/reviews to drive continuous improvement.
• Understand applicable company policy and insure personal and team compliance including the procurement policy and procedures, Sox controls and DOA.
• Lead RFX, negotiations, supplier sourcing, contract negotiations and compliance management for defined commodity groups.
• Any other responsibilities as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. in Engineering, B.A. Supply Chain/Procurement, or related field. Master’s degree in Business is beneficial.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the manufacturing, petroleum refining or petrochemical industries. Preferred Services or related sourcing experience.
• Knowledge of plant purchasing, plant warehouse and contract negotiations/ management.
• Strong written & verbal communication skills, as well as effective presentation skills.
• Strong Microsoft Power Point, Word and Excel skills. Strong analytical skills required, SAP experience is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of petrochemical or other manufacturing industries and related indirect category spend.
• Business management skills including the ability to develop and execute strategy. Solid understanding of business disciplines and financial information.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence all levels of employees and management, both inside the company and externally with suppliers.
• Ability to make decisions or recommendations that are "data based" and align decisions with strategies. Considers the impacts of decisions on other parts of the organization.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators. Travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.

Westlake is a global manufacturer and supplier of materials and innovative products that enhance life every day. Headquartered in Houston, with operations in Asia, Europe and North America, we provide the building blocks for vital solutions - from housing and construction, to packaging and healthcare, to automotive and consumer. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.westlake.com.

Westlake (NYSE: WLK) is a global diversified industrial company that manufactures and supplies essential products that enhance the daily lives of people around the globe. Our products, now under a One Westlake brand, supply the necessary building blocks for everyday products across housing and infrastructure, packaging and healthcare, and automotive and consumer goods. Consumers gain the benefits of materials Westlake produces in products such as food packaging, medical devices, soaps and detergents, car interiors, fashion, toys, shoes, furniture, electronics, siding, stone veneer, windows, outdoor living, roofing, and pipe & fittings. Westlake is proud to contribute to driving a sustainable future through the creation of essential products that are Enhancing Your Life Every Day.

To view other career opportunities at Westlake and our family of companies, visit https://westlaketalent.com