Category Manager; Equipment); Houston, TX

Houston, TX (Hybrid)

We are looking for a Category Manager to join our Global Procurement team in Houston, TX.

Where the chemistry happens...

Global Indirect Procurement (GPI) is responsible for purchasing technical goods and services for BASF Group. We understand the business needs, are close to our stakeholders, drive cost savings, innovation and sustainable practices by negotiating with suppliers and managing vendor relationships.

As Category Manager (Equipment), you will develop and execute regional category strategies for a portfolio of industrial equipment categories across North and South America. You will lead and develop a team of category buyers, align regional priorities with global category strategies, supplier relationships and technical expert communities, and deliver competitive total cost of ownership, supply resilience, innovation, sustainability and measurable EBIT impact.

The role combines strategic category leadership, people leadership and accountability for consistent Source-to-Contract governance across the Americas.

Come create chemistry with us!

• Developing and executing category strategies for equipment categories across North and South America, translating business, site, and technical requirements into sourcing plans that optimize total cost of ownership, strengthen supply resilience, and advance sustainability goals.
• Leading complex sourcing and negotiation initiatives that deliver measurable business value through commercial excellence, market insights, and strategic supplier partnerships.
• Building and managing high-performing supplier relationships that foster innovation while ensuring excellence in quality, safety, sustainability, and cost competitiveness.
• Serving as the key Americas interface to global category managers and cross-functional stakeholders, aligning regional business needs with global procurement strategies, governance standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Leading, coaching, and developing a team of category buyers across North and South America, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous growth in support of BASF’s Winning Ways Strategy.
• Driving procurement excellence through compliant and efficient Source-to-Contract processes, leveraging digital tools, AI-enabled solutions, and data-driven continuous improvement initiatives.
• Governing the interface between Source-to-Contract and Procure-to-Pay processes, strengthening partnerships with operational teams while ensuring data integrity, compliance, transparency, and adherence to procurement policies and internal controls.

• Hold a Master's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, or a related field, or bring an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Bring significant experience in strategic procurement, category management, strategic sourcing, contract management, engineering, operations, supply chain, or another commercially accountable function within a complex business environment.
• Have a proven track record of developing category strategies, leading complex negotiations, delivering measurable business value, managing strategic supplier relationships, and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Understand industrial equipment markets, technical specifications, lifecycle economics, and supplier capabilities, or have gained comparable experience in technical goods, capital projects, maintenance, manufacturing, or engineering environments.
• Demonstrate success leading people, projects, or complex cross-functional teams, with strong capabilities in coaching, prioritization, performance management, and…