Procurement Category Manager - Corporate Services

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Transformation of our procurement organization is a top strategic priority for Albemarle, and we believe this presents unique and exciting career opportunities. The world is rapidly changing and we need to change with it to support the growth and success of our businesses. If you are a forward thinker, with the creativity and maturity to effectively challenge the status quo of our existing business and practices, this opportunity might be for you.

We are building a world‑class global procurement function focused around: (1) Category Management focused on driving long‑term sustainable value for the business, (2) Procurement Operations providing exceptional support and advisement to our business unit stakeholders, and (3) Data Analytics, process excellence, and technology adoption to drive and enable procurement best practices and an excellent end‑user experience.

This position is hybrid and will require in‑office presence 3 days/week in our Charlotte office.

The Category Manager – Corporate Services position will work closely with Procurement leadership and internal functional teams to develop and expand complex category strategies at a global and regional level and to ensure the strategies are aligned to the overall business objectives. The role will be focused on cultivating relationships, understanding business goals, and helping to execute category strategies in order to streamline the purchasing process and maximize value delivery to the business.

This role is accountable for supplier performance to ensure cost competitiveness, high service level commitment, value creation, partnership, responsible sourcing, sustainability, and innovation.

• Work with key business stakeholders to set category strategy for the fiscal year and beyond (1‑3 year timeframe) to manage key supplier relationships and/or projects to drive business value.
• Achieve and report cost savings as well as track other category improvements related to sourcing activities. Leverage spend and negotiate to achieve the best TCO for the business.
• Partner with Data Analysts to complete detailed spend analysis by category or subject matter to understand and manage complex areas of spend.
• Work with key functions such as Legal, HR, and Finance and business unit stakeholders to ensure that sourcing activities comply with applicable company policies and guidelines.
• Drive both global and regional RFI/RFQ/RFP projects as part of the organization’s competitive bidding strategy, including vendor evaluation, selection and implementation activities through the use of Procurement technology platforms.
• Coordinate cross‑functional activities to manage supplier relationships to mitigate risk and to ensure consistency of value and quality to the business.
• Work with Global Process Owners to drive and support adoption of Procurement processes, procedures, and technology.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of sourcing, category best practices, and applicable market data.
• Drive and roll‑out Procurement, Category Management, Supplier Relationship best practices across Regional Procurement Service teams.

Required:

• 6‑8 years+ of strategic sourcing/category management and procurement showing increasing growth and responsibilities (Corporate Services procurement experience is a requirement)
• Excellent influencing without authority skills
• Creative thinking and strategic agility/perspective
• Excellent data analysis skills
• Experience understanding category management frameworks and supplier relationship management
• Strongly understand the S2P (Source to Pay) process
• Strong decision‑making abilities and business acumen
• Interpersonal skills and ability to partner with stakeholders and multiple functional groups on projects/programs
• High learning agility, change…