Category Manager of Chemicals

Perdue Farms is a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve.

From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we’re committed to helping our team members thrive.

That's Perdue.

Drive sourcing excellence and supplier performance within Perdue's Procurement organization. As a Category Manager of Chemicals, you will execute category strategies, manage supplier relationships, and support sourcing initiatives that drive cost optimization and business results. Partnering closely with cross-functional teams, you will help ensure procurement strategies align with operational needs while contributing to continuous improvement, supplier performance, and overall procurement effectiveness.

This role is ideal for a detail-oriented procurement professional who enjoys building relationships, solving business challenges, and delivering value in a collaborative environment.

The position is located onsite at our corporate office in Salisbury, MD (relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates) or structured as a remote role that requires travel up to 25% of the time.

The salary range for this position is $89,000 - $133,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications with annual bonus available (variable depending on performance).

In addition to the base salary, Perdue offers a competitive benefits package, including medical/Rx, 401(k) with employer match after 1 year, critical illness, accident insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, optional group life insurance, short-term and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts and paid time off.

• Support development and execution of category strategies and savings plans.
• Conduct spend analysis, market research, and supplier benchmarking.
• Track supplier performance using defined KPIs and
  ** escalate
  * * issues as needed.
• Lead sourcing events (RFPs, negotiations) and supplier evaluations.
• Apply negotiation strategies to secure favorable terms and outcomes.
• Ensure smooth contract handoff and alignment with operational teams.
• Collaborate with Procurement Center of Excellence to apply standardized sourcing tools.
• Assist in managing contract terms, renewals, and compliance checkpoints.
• Serve as the day-to-day liaison for suppliers in the category.
• Monitor performance metrics and support corrective actions when needed.
• Identify and
  ** escalate
  * * supplier risks to senior leadership.
• Ensure adherence to procurement policies and workflows.
• Coordinate with purchasing teams on urgent or non-standard spend.
• Recommend process improvements and contribute to best practice adoption.
• Share insights and support peer development.
• Actively participate in knowledge sharing across the procurement function.
• Execute sourcing events and apply basic negotiation strategies.
• Handle day-to-day supplier interactions and performance tracking.
• Conduct spend reviews and market research to support decisions.
• Understand commercial terms and compliance basics.
• Work with operations, finance, and legal teams.
• Follow workflows and identify improvement opportunities.
• Share updates clearly with stakeholders and suppliers.

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of…