Specialty Chemicals Procurement Manager

DSJ Global; North Kingstown (RI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

DSJ Global in North Kingstown, RI seeks a Procurement Manager to lead strategic sourcing for direct raw materials and contract manufacturers in a highly specialized manufacturing environment. The role places you as the senior procurement representative at the North Kingstown site, coordinating with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Finance to ensure uninterrupted material supply and cost efficiency.

You will negotiate long-term agreements, manage supplier performance, and drive cost

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; chemistry/chemical engineering or related science preferred.
• 7+ years in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain within manufacturing.
• Experience with direct material categories and supplier negotiations.
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP) and procurement platforms (Ariba).

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management for direct raw materials.
• Develop relationships with contract manufacturers and specialty chemical suppliers.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and long-term supply agreements.
• Manage supplier performance, risk, and continuity planning.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Finance, and Legal.
• Oversee international supplier relationships across Asia.
• Support new product introductions and scale-up with supplier alignment.
• Monitor spend and procurement KPIs, escalating risks when needed.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier relationship management

Contract negotiations

ERP SAP

Ariba

International sourcing

Cost reduction

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP

Ariba

Job description

Procurement Manager - Specialty Chemicals

North Kingstown, RI (100% On-Site)

About the Role

We are seeking a Procurement Manager to lead strategic sourcing and supplier management activities supporting a highly specialized manufacturing business. This individual will serve as the senior procurement representative at the North Kingstown, RI facility, managing critical raw material suppliers, contract manufacturers, specialty chemical producers, and international partners across Asia.

The role is responsible for driving supplier performance, securing supply continuity, leading commercial negotiations, managing costs, and identifying new sourcing opportunities for materials that support revenue-generating product lines. Success in this position is measured not only by cost savings, but by the ability to build resilient supply networks and ensure uninterrupted access to strategically important materials.

As the primary procurement contact for several key supplier relationships, this individual will work closely with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Finance, and Business Unit leadership to support ongoing production, new product development, and long-term growth initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management for direct raw materials used across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Develop and manage relationships with contract manufacturers, specialty chemical suppliers, and custom synthesis partners worldwide.
• Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers capable of producing highly specialized materials and chemistries.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, capacity commitments, and long-term supply agreements while driving cost reduction and value creation initiatives.
• Manage supplier performance, risk mitigation activities, and supply continuity planning in collaboration with Quality and Engineering teams.
• Oversee international supplier relationships, including manufacturers and distribution partners throughout Asia.
• Support new product introductions, material conversions, and scale-up activities by aligning supplier capabilities with business demand.
• Act as the senior procurement representative for the site, partnering with site leadership on sourcing strategy, supplier issues, and business-critical supply decisions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Operations, Quality, Finance, Legal, and Engineering to support procurement and business objectives.
• Monitor spend, savings initiatives, supplier performance metrics, and procurement KPIs, while escalating supply or commercial risks when necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; technical disciplines such as Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related scientific fields preferred.
• 7+ years of procurement, sourcing, supply chain, or technical-commercial experience within manufacturing environments.
• Experience managing direct material categories and strategic supplier relationships.
• Proven success leading supplier negotiations, contract discussions, and complex sourcing initiatives.
• Experience working with contract manufacturers, toll manufacturers, or external production partners preferred.
• Exposure to international sourcing and supplier management, particularly within Asia, is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of supplier risk management, supply continuity planning, and strategic sourcing principles.
• Experience utilizing ERP systems such as SAP and procurement platforms such as Ariba preferred.
• Ability to build strong relationships across Procurement, Engineering, Quality, Operations, Legal, and Finance.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.