Category Manager – MRO

Category Manager – Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO)

At Ingevity, we develop innovations that purify, protect and enhance the world around us. Our products enable oil to flow better, crops to grow fuller, roads to last longer and ensure that the air we all breathe is cleaner.

We are seeking a strategic, results-driven Category Manager – Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) to lead global sourcing and category management activities across MRO spend categories. This role is responsible for developing and executing category strategies that optimize total cost of ownership, ensure supply continuity, mitigate risk, advance sustainability objectives, and create measurable value for the organization.

As part of the Global Procurement organization, this individual contributor role will manage the end-to-end sourcing lifecycle, including category strategy development, supplier relationship management, procurement, contract negotiations, risk management, and supplier performance. The position works closely with Manufacturing, Operations, Engineering, Sustainability, Finance, Legal, and Supply Chain partners to deliver business objectives and support operational excellence globally.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT INGEVITY

Category Management and Strategic Sourcing

• Own and manage global spend categories within MRO, including development and execution of multi-year category strategies aligned to business objectives.
• Lead cross-functional sourcing initiatives to deliver cost savings, process improvements, risk mitigation, supply assurance, and sustainability outcomes.
• Analyze market intelligence, industry trends, supplier capabilities, and internal demand requirements to create data-driven sourcing strategies.
• Develop business cases and recommendations for senior leadership approval and stakeholder alignment.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that optimize procurement processes and category performance.

Maintenance, Repairs and Operations (MRO) Category Management

• Lead global category management and sourcing activities for MRO spend, including industrial supplies, maintenance services, safety equipment, laboratory supplies, machine parts, bearings, motors, electrical components, instrumentation, gases, and related operational materials.
• Develop sourcing strategies that improve supplier performance, increase standardization, and optimize inventory management.
• Support critical operational requirements by ensuring continuity of supply for key maintenance and operational materials.
• Collaborate with plant operations and maintenance teams to identify opportunities for cost reduction, reliability improvements, and supplier consolidation.
• Resolve supplier performance issues, quality concerns, claims, and nonconformance matters to minimize business risk.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships across MRO categories.
• Establish supplier scorecards, KPIs, and governance processes to drive continuous improvement and value creation.
• Conduct supplier business reviews focused on performance, innovation, sustainability, risk management, and cost competitiveness.
• Identify and implement supplier development opportunities that improve quality, service, operational performance, and business outcomes.
• Lead supplier qualification, evaluation, and audit activities as required.

Contracting, Negotiations and Risk Management

• Lead complex commercial negotiations for global, regional, and site-level agreements.
• Develop negotiation strategies that maximize value while mitigating operational, financial, legal, and supply chain risks.
• Manage the full contract lifecycle including bidder prequalification, bid solicitation, evaluation, contract execution, administration, and closeout.
• Assess market risk,…