Regional Category Leader - Customer Equipment (Remote)

CS Recruiting; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CS Recruiting is representing a leading global water and hygiene solutions provider seeking a Regional Category Leader for Customer Equipment. This remote, full-time role focuses on building and executing regional category strategy, in alignment with the global program, to support growth and drive value across the supply base.

You will lead supplier negotiations, manage key partnerships, collaborate with Engineering, Sales, Operations, Quality teams, and guide regional sourcing through RFPs and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 7+ years procurement/sourcing experience with 4+ years in regional category leadership.
• Experience in chemicals or industrial equipment sectors.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive regional category strategy in conjunction with the global strategy for customer equipment that aligns with corporate goals and supports growth.
• Lead regional strategy development, including segmentation, total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis, market intelligence, and supplier landscape assessment.
• Drive measurable category KPIs, ensuring performance tracking and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key suppliers of customer equipment.
• Drive robust commercial negotiations, develop long-term agreements, and ensure contractual compliance and performance.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers based on safety standards, quality, capability, and innovation.
• Partner with Engineering, Technical Services, Sales, Operations, Quality, and Regulatory teams to ensure equipment solutions meet customer requirements and internal standards.
• Act as the primary interface between Procurement and internal stakeholders for category requirements, project support, and execution.
• Lead regional sourcing initiatives, including RFPs, RFQs, bid analysis, and award recommendations.
• Implement category sourcing plans that balance regional leverage with local execution where necessary.
• Support business units in resolving supply, delivery, and quality issues related to equipment.
• Manage supply risk through diversification, contingency planning, and robust supplier performance metrics.
• Ensure supplier and equipment compliance with relevant industry standards, safety regulations, and internal policies.
• Promote and embed sustainability criteria in sourcing decisions.
• Deliver measurable cost savings and value capture through strategic sourcing, standardization, and process improvements.
• Benchmark category spend and pricing to drive best-in-class commercial outcomes.
• Lead, mentor, and develop regional sourcing professionals.
• Champion a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, accountability, and results.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Negotiation

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Data analytics

Communication

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain/Engineering/Business

MBA or advanced degree

Job description

Regional Category Leader - Customer Equipment (Remote)

• Type: Direct Hire
• Job 12221

Our client is a leading global provider of water and hygiene solutions. The company’s product portfolio includes a broad array of water treatment chemistries, process aids, functional additives, cleaners, disinfectants, and state-of-the-art monitoring, control and delivery systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets, minimize environmental impact, and create cleaner and safer environments.

Regional Category Leader – Customer Equipment

Job Type:

Full-time; Remote

Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive regional category strategy in conjunction with the global strategy for customer equipment that aligns with corporate goals and supports growth.
• Lead regional strategy development, including segmentation, total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis, market intelligence, and supplier landscape assessment.
• Drive measurable category KPIs, ensuring performance tracking and continuous improvement.

Supplier Management & Commercial Excellence

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key suppliers of customer equipment.
• Drive robust commercial negotiations, develop long-term agreements, and ensure contractual compliance and performance.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers based on safety standards, quality, capability, and innovation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Engineering & Technical Services, Sales, Operations, Quality, and Regulatory teams to ensure equipment solutions meet customer requirements and internal standards.
• Act as the primary interface between Procurement and internal stakeholders for category requirements, project support, and execution.

Regional Sourcing Execution

• Lead regional sourcing initiatives, including RFPs, RFQs, bid analysis, and award recommendations.
• Implement category sourcing plans that balance regional leverage with local execution where necessary.
• Support business units in resolving supply, delivery, and quality issues related to equipment.

Risk & Compliance

• Manage supply risk through diversification, contingency planning, and robust supplier performance metrics.
• Ensure supplier and equipment compliance with relevant industry standards, safety regulations, and internal policies.
• Promote and embed sustainability criteria in sourcing decisions.

Cost Savings & Value Creation

• Deliver measurable cost savings and value capture through strategic sourcing, standardization, and process improvements.
• Benchmark category spend and pricing to drive best-in-class commercial outcomes.

Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop regional sourcing professionals.
• Champion a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, accountability, and results.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related discipline; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of procurement/sourcing experience, with at least 4 years in regional category leadership roles.
• Experience in the chemicals, industrial equipment, or related technical industries.
• Proven success in strategic sourcing, supplier development, and complex negotiations.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking.
• Excellent negotiation and contract management skills.
• Superior communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a matrixed organization.
• Data-driven mindset with capability in analytics, forecasting, and spend management tools.
• Flexibility to travel as needed.

Compensation Details

This position offers a competitive base salary and bonus.