Global Category Manager - Quaker Houghton

Company Overview:

At Quaker Houghton, we are experts in the development, production and application of chemical specialties, process fluids, lubricants, and coatings for the manufacturing industry. We have been an integral part in the growth of the world’s largest industrial companies and to this day our experience and expertise show in the actions and dedication of our Associates worldwide. Today, we have a global presence, with our corporate headquarters located in Conshohocken, PA. Quaker Houghton is a global publicly traded company with a unique collaborative culture that supports career growth for its associates and offers competitive compensation and benefit programs.

Position Summary:

The Global Category Manager develops and deploys a vision, strategy, tactics, and management platform for their assigned category. This role is responsible for maximizing the value that QH receive from suppliers by delivering value-optimal sourcing strategies, efficient deployment of procurement resources, and effective alignment with QH’s Procurement Leadership Team.

Accountabilities:

• Practical adoption and use of the Global Category Management cross-functional process to deliver purchasing strategies for your category and sub-category.
• Create, communicate, and maintain global category strategies for approximately ~$150M spend in the Additive Spend.
• Develop and lead negotiation strategies, conduct RFx, organize RFx results, and communicate complete strategy and results to senior management and key stakeholders in order to gain business alignment.
• Oversee supplier selection and supplier performance management, ensuring suppliers are in alignment with category strategy, business goals, and company policies.
• Proactively segment suppliers and utilize engagement programs to improve performance, achieve business goals, and maintain strategic alignment with senior procurement leaders and key stakeholders to continuously re-evaluate and improve procurement processes.
• Maintain a working knowledge of world-class supply chain processes to ensure that existing processes are targeted to attain excellence versus industry benchmarks.
• Work with the Global and Regional teams to assign resources the prioritized projects.
• Encourages the team to suggest step-change improvements in category management processes and leads the implementation of initiatives with support from Supply Analysis & Improvement and the team.
• Deliver structural cost savings, supplier rationalization, contract implementation, and working capital enhancement, as well as other KPIs to meet or exceed established targets.

Work Environment:

• Typical light office work
• Infrequent manufacturing environment exposure
• Domestic and international travel up to 25%

Required Education and Experience:

• University degree (Business/Chemistry/Engineering Preferred)
• 7+ years of progressive strategic sourcing and contracting experience, including extensive experience developing and executing strategic sourcing plans.
• Strong background in chemicals and/or direct procurement.
• Relevant professional procurement certification preferred (e.g.; ISM, CIPS).
• Experience Working in global teams inclusive of a global matrix (leading by influence).

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to construct and manage complex, sophisticated commercial arrangements.
• Required to lead multi-location projects and marshal adequate project resources.
• Be a change agent and exercise horizontal leadership and collaboration with senior leadership, procurement peers, suppliers and other partners to drive the right focus on necessary change management and transformation.
• Highly skilled negotiator and RFx leader with proven ability to move to a supplier’s best and final offer quickly while maintaining positive relationships.
• Experience with sourcing fundamentals and a demonstrated track record of facilitating and executing successful sourcing initiatives (including thorough understanding of RFx best practices contracting methods and procedures, techniques of contract writing, purchasing law, and ethics).
• Highly skilled negotiator and RFx leader with proven ability to move to a supplier’s best and final offer quickly while maintaining positive relationships.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills (team player with ability to effectively influence others to action).
• Strong software skills including Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Mastery Fluency in English.

What's in it for you:

• Hybrid working
• Competitive pay programs with excellent career growth trajectory
• Opportunities to see your efforts contribute toward the success of the business.
• Work for a global leader in the industrial process fluids industry
• On-site Fitness Center and Cafeteria

Quaker Houghton is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. Quaker Houghton provides equal employment opportunity for all qualified candidates. Quaker Houghton does not discriminate against any candidate for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, affectional or sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, veteran’s status, physical/mental disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by U.S federal, state, and/or local employment law. Furthermore, Quaker Houghton is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates with physical and/or mental disabilities. Applicants with a disability who need assistance applying for a position may emailOneHR@quakerhoughton.com.