Purchasing Category Manager

Saint-Gobain; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 111,000 - 177,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Life insurance

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Saint-Gobain Specialty Grains and Powders seeks a combined BU Purchasing Manager and Category Manager to drive regional procurement performance. You will develop long‑term sourcing strategies, manage RFs, and report BU activities to the Purchasing Director.

You will lead supplier negotiations, implement formal supply agreements, and partner with R&D to qualify alternates and support new product development. 25% travel is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or five years of demonstrated success in Procurement, Leadership, or Project Management.

Responsibilities

• Establish long-term sourcing strategies for raw materials.
• Lead supplier negotiations and RFPs; implement supply agreements.
• Coordinate with R&D to qualify alternate suppliers and cost savings opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with Purchasing Policy and internal controls.
• Travel up to 25% for supplier visits, audits, and trainings.

Skills

Procurement

Leadership

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

This role is a combination of BU purchasing manager and Category purchasing manager. As a BU purchasing manager, this role is responsible for BU level purchasing performance. This role coordinates with site purchasing team and category managers to drive purchasing KPI at BU level. The BU manager will be responsible for creating budget and RF for each plant in the region, and report BU level activities to Purchasing Director on a regular basis

As Category Manager, this role is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for key material categories to support business objectives. This role drives supplier negotiations, leads RFPs, and implements formal supply agreements while ensuring full compliance with purchasing policies and internal controls. The Category Manager builds deep market insight, identifies cost‑saving and risk‑mitigation opportunities, and partners closely with R&D to qualify alternate suppliers, support innovation, and enable new product development. The role also supports stakeholders across the business by proposing competitive sourcing solutions, managing supplier qualification efforts, and promoting efficient cross‑functional purchasing practices.

Essential Functions:

• Establish clear and formal long-term strategies for the sourcing of raw materials in line with the Business' goals and objectives.
• Put in place risk mitigation strategies by working with R&D to qualify alternate suppliers.
• Develop deep understanding of markets for Categories managed, including key players, appropriate indices, trends
• Lead RFP's and supplier negotiations.
• Continuously challenge suppliers and obtain competitive prices on all materials
• Implement formal supply agreements with all key suppliers with the help of the legal group.
• Identify, lead and implement VAVE (Value Added / Value Engineering) and Vendor Innovation Partnership projects with suppliers to “right size” specifications of raw materials or components purchased in order to increase end customer value and/or reduce costs.
• Work with R&D for cost savings opportunities, Business Continuity Planning (risk mitigation) and New Product Development initiatives
• Ensure material sourcing is compliant with the Purchasing Policy and Purchasing ICRF (Internal Controls Reference Framework)
• All RFPs are required to use ProSource and are accompanied by the Supplier Charter and all contracts uploaded in ProcureNet.
• Support stakeholders in the business by proposing innovative & competitive solutions.
• Support the identification, selection, qualification and implementation of new suppliers.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders across functions and businesses to implement efficient intercompany purchasing practices
• 25% Travel to supplier visits & Audits, site visits, and/or training sessions.

Qualifications:

- This position requires a bachelor's degree or a minimum of five years of demonstrated success in Procurement, Leadership, or Project Management.

- The ideal candidate is a self‑starter who is highly organized, analytical, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.

- The role demands a strong leader who can perform effectively under pressure, champion change, and collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders.

- Candidates must conduct all activities with discretion, confidentiality, and attention to security.

- Strong prioritization skills are essential, as the position must assess and respond to material and service needs for multiple internal customers.

- A service‑oriented mindset and sensitivity to customer requirements are critical.

- Exceptional communication skills and professional interpersonal conduct are required to interface with internal teams, external partners, vendors, and visitors daily.

- The individual must be confident, poised, and able to represent the Company with professionalism in all interactions

Saint-Gobain Specialty Grains and Powders designs and manufactures tailored material solutions for our customers, worldwide. Our advanced ceramic materials solutions enable our customers to meet the toughest application requirements in a broad range of markets, such as: Abrasives, Aerospace, Automotive, Energy, Semiconductors and many others. We work in close collaboration with customers at any step of their journey. We are going further together!

Saint-Gobain provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Saint-Gobain is an equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and supports the hiring of ve

terans.Applicants for roles based in Washington state or remote roles that would be worked from Washington state are encouraged to direct any concerns regarding the state’s Pay Transparency laws to the SGNA HR Compliance team at [e-mail].

Saint-Gobain aims to deliver a comprehensive Total Rewards package to support our employees’ wellbeing and help improve daily life for themselves and their families. We believe in the importance of pay transparency in what we offer potential candidates. Provided is the national pay range for this position which is $111,000.00 to $177,000.00 per year. However, the base pay offered may vary depending on geographic region, internal equity, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for an annual bonus. The targeted bonus amount is 13% of base salary based on company and individual performance measures. The Total Target Cash range (base pay and annual bonus) for this position, is $127,600,200.00-TTC to $203,500.00-TTC. Bonus payments are part of variable compensation and by nature can vary based on company and individual performance and is not a guarantee.

Saint-Gobain is committed to helping you and your family be well in all aspects of your life. Be Well. Be You brings together inclusive programs and meaningful resources to support all aspects of your physical, emotional, financial, and social well-being. Employees have the flexibility to choose the benefits that best fit their individual needs.

• Health and Well-being – Supporting your wellbeing, to thrive in life and work.
• Medical, Prescription Drug, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Healthcare Saving Account and Flexible Spending Account options
• LiveWell Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Time Off and Paid Parental Leave
• Retirement and Protection - Helping to make the future life you want a reality.
• 401(k) with Company Match, Retirement Accumulation Plan (RAP)
• Cash Balance Pension Plan
• Company-provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary employee and dependent life insurance, Long-Term Disability, Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
• Additional Benefits – Helping shape the experience and impact you want