Sr Manager - Category (Indirect Procurement)

Westlake Chemical; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Chemical is seeking a Sr Category Manager (Indirect Procurement) to lead strategic sourcing for assigned indirect categories across North America. You will manage vendor bases, identify cost-reduction opportunities, negotiate contracts, and monitor market conditions to support EBITDA goals.

Responsibilities include developing category objectives with KPIs, leading cross-functional teams, ensuring compliance with procurement policies, and collaborating with Legal, HS&E, and regulatory

Qualifications

• B.S. in Engineering or B.A. in Supply Chain/Procurement required.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes strategies for the sourcing, procurement and logistics of assigned categories for Westlake North America HIP (Housing & Infrastructure Products) and PEM (Performance & Essential Materials) divisions.
• Identifies and implements best in class sourcing strategy and practices which support continuity of supply, quality, cost and business unit requirements.
• Develops and implements category objectives using key performance indicators.
• Manage category objectives to ensure the KPI’s are met.
• Utilizes 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.
• Facilitate and monitors 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.
• Establishes a preferred supply base and manage via suppler relationship management programs, including supplier scorecards/reviews to drive continuous improvement.
• Understands applicable company policy and insure personal and team compliance including the procurement policy and procedures, Sox controls and DOA.
• Leads RFX, negotiations, supplier sourcing, contract negotiations and compliance management for defined commodity groups.
• Any other responsibilities as assigned.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Category management

Procurement

Negotiation

Cost reduction

Vendor management

Cross-functional leadership

Data analysis

KPI development

SAP experience

Education

B.S. in Engineering

B.A. in Supply Chain/Procurement

Master’s degree (beneficial)

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Word

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 Sr Category Manager (Indirect Procurement) responsibilities are considered integral to the success and profitability of the business. The job of the Sr Category Manager (Indirect Procurement) is to develop and execute a comprehensive sourcing strategy for their respective categories. The Sr Category Manager (Indirect Procurement) 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.

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 (Housing & Infrastructure Products) and PEM (Performance & Essential Materials) divisions.
• Identifies and implements best in class sourcing strategy and practices which support continuity of supply, quality, cost and business unit requirements.
• Develops and implements category objectives using key performance indicators.
• Manage category objectives to ensure the KPI’s are met.
• Utilizes 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.
• Facilitate and monitors 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.
• Establishes a preferred supply base and manage via suppler relationship management programs, including supplier scorecards/reviews to drive continuous improvement.
• Understands applicable company policy and insure personal and team compliance including the procurement policy and procedures, Sox controls and DOA.
• Leads 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.
• Master’s degree in Business is beneficial.
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience in the manufacturing, petroleum refining or petrochemical industries.
• Preferred Indirect goods and 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.
• Extensive knowledge of petrochemical industries and related 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.