Category Manager - Direct Sourcing; Logistics and Distribution

Category Manager - Direct Sourcing;
Logistics and Distribution

Grace, a Standard Industries company, is a leading global supplier of catalysts, engineered materials and fine chemicals. We provide innovative products, technologies and services which our customers use to manufacture everyday products like renewable fuels, pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, cosmetics, food packaging, beer, edible oils and more. Our thousands of employees help shape a better future at our global headquarters in Columbia, MD and locations worldwide.

The Category Manager for Logistics and Distribution is a key member of the Global Procurement Organization, responsible for developing and executing global and regional sourcing strategies. They execute strategies to optimize cost, service, and risk across transportation, warehousing, and related logistics services. They manage supplier relationships, drive innovation, and ensure alignment with overall Procurement objectives aligned with Supply Chain and Business line stakeholders.

The Category Manager has a portfolio with an annual spend of ~$200M and partners closely with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to deliver productivity, supply reliability, and risk mitigation.

The Category Manager supports Grace’s two business units and 20+ manufacturing sites, driving productivity, supply reliability, and risk mitigation.

• Team Culture:
  Work across a broad team of Category Managers and Senior Supplier Relationship Managers located across major global regions. Our team culture is built on:
• Collaboration & Trust:
  Foster open communication, shared accountability, and strong cross-functional partnerships.
• Performance & Growth:
  Support professional development through mentorship, coaching, and stretch assignments.
• Innovation & Insight:
  Value data-driven decision-making and encourage diverse perspectives to solve complex challenges.
• Integrity & Impact:
  Operate with transparency and a commitment to delivering measurable results.

The Category Manager for Logistics and Distribution is onsite in Columbia, MD.

• Category Strategy Development:
  • Define and implement sourcing strategies for logistics and distribution categories (e.g., freight, warehousing, 3PL services).
  • Conduct market analysis to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Select, negotiate, and manage contracts with logistics providers and distribution partners.
• Monitor supplier performance and ensure compliance with service-level agreements.
• Cost Optimization:
  • Identify and deliver cost savings initiatives without compromising service quality.
  • Analyze spend data and develop strategies to reduce total cost of ownership.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and company policies.
• Develop contingency plans for supply chain disruptions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • Partner with operations, supply chain, finance, and business-line teams to align category strategies with business objectives.
  • Support logistics network design and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree in operations, supply chain management, business, engineering, or science
• 7+ years in global industrial/manufacturing environments
• 5+ years of strategic sourcing with experience in logistics, distribution, or category management

• Proven successful experience developing and executing category strategies across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Experience with transportation and warehousing market dynamics
• Experience leveraging strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated business acumen and experience in complex, multi-level negotiations.
• Proven successful experience in financial modeling, data analysis (pivot tables, large datasets), and enterprise systems (SAP Ariba, Analytics Cloud, Salesforce, SharePoint).

• Life Insurance and Disability
• Grace Wellness Program
• Flexible Workplace
• Retirement Plans
• 401(k) Company Match
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• Parental Leave (salaried only)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Company Donation Match Program