Senior Category Manager - Raw Chemicals

Job Description

North American Regional Category Manager - Chemicals

The Regional Category Manager will be responsible for developing and implementing sourcing and procurement strategies in their region in alignment with the Global Category teams and the Regional Business Lines. This role drives supplier performance, negotiates cost efficiencies, ensures supply continuity, and supports the company's cost, quality, and sustainability objectives. The ideal candidate possesses strong technical and business acumen, as well as deep knowledge in chemical raw material sourcing, water treatment, and relevant chemical markets.

• Develop, lead, and implement end-to-end sourcing strategies for chemical raw material categories for both specialty and commodity chemicals.
• Deep industry knowledge in chemical markets, strong business acumen, and demonstrated cross‑functional leadership.
• Strategic thinker and able to work in a collaborative, double matrix, and multicultural environment.

• Develop and lead end‑to‑end regional sourcing strategies for key commodity and chemical categories in conjunction with global strategy and market trends.
• Perform total cost of ownership (TCO) analyses and market intelligence reviews to inform procurement decisions.
• Identify and qualify suppliers aligned with Veolia's needs and environmental compliance standards.
• Own category business goals for the region and report out to the Global Category Manager and regional team on progress.

• Manage strategic supplier relationships, including quarterly business reviews, supplier innovation partnerships, and risk management activities.
• Negotiate long‑term agreements and mitigate supply risk through multi‑sourcing or buffer strategies.
• Collaborate with Quality, Technical, and EHS teams to ensure supplier compliance with Veolia's specifications, Quality Management Systems, and safety protocols.

• Drive year‑over‑year savings targets through competitive bidding, value engineering, or alternate formulations.
• Lead or support cross‑functional initiatives to improve procurement operations, sustainability, or product performance.
• Stay ahead of market trends in the water treatment and chemical supply chains, including regulatory impacts (REACH, TSCA, EPA rules).

• Partner with operations, production planning, and logistics to ensure seamless inbound supply of chemicals and raw materials.
• Monitor usage trends, coordinate with inventory teams, and proactively address supply‑demand imbalances.
• Work closely with business lines and finance to ensure accurate price tracking and budget forecasting.

• Expert:
  Demonstrate subject matter expertise in the field of chemical sourcing.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and project management skills.
• Proficient in ERP/MRP systems (SAP preferred) and Google and Excel‑based modeling.

• Strategic:
  Understands long‑term vision.
• Inspirational:
  Ability to inspire/motivate others.
• Curious:
  Pose high‑impact questions.
• Courageous:
  Champion ideas and transform them into actions.
• Humble:
  Respectful toward peers, team members, leadership, and stakeholders.
• Holistic:
  Think customer and company first.
• Accountable:
  Demonstrates responsibility, ownership, and commitment.
• Ambitious:
  Identify underlying truths, create future vision that rallies teams.

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering or a directly related field.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience in Procurement, Supply Chain function, or an equivalent function.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience drafting, negotiating, and implementing complex contracts for raw materials within the chemical industry.
• Demonstrated chemical raw material sourcing, water treatment, and relevant chemical markets, with experience in the relevant industry.

• MBA, Master’s Degree, and/or certification like CPSM, CPM, CPSCM.
• Experience in negotiating and managing suppliers within the Chemical industry, preferably within the water treatment industry.
• Experience working in a matrixed organization.