Category Manager – Chemicals

Responsibilities

• Own the global category strategy for Chemicals (direct material), aligning supplier capabilities to business needs.
• Lead complex sourcing initiatives that improve cost, quality, delivery performance, and supply continuity.
• Influence cross‑functional stakeholders and suppliers to deliver measurable results in a global, matrixed environment.
• Drive sustainable supplier performance against key performance indicators (KPIs), including productivity, quality, delivery, consolidation, risk management, sustainability, diversity, and working capital.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with strategic suppliers by leveraging global spend and the supply base to maximize performance while minimizing business risk (including contract management).
• Maintain an effective supply chain that consistently delivers optimal cost, quality, and delivery performance to Xylem manufacturing sites.
• Partner with regional procurement leaders, R&D, Quality, and Engineering to develop category strategies and incorporate internal voice of the customer (VOC).
• Predict future global trends and disruptions within the industry and utilize de‑risking methodologies to effectively increase supply chain resiliency.
• Stay current on changing technology and demand, with a clear understanding of product taxonomy down to the sub‑tier level.
• Identify and lead productivity opportunities and the sourcing efforts required to ensure successful project execution.
• Identify & execute second sourcing and regional sourcing initiatives to meet company objectives and mitigate supply risk.
• Facilitate regular cross‑functional category project meetings, monitor progress against committed timelines, and establish and maintain a Corporate Category Council to educate stakeholders and collect VOC.
• Drive a continuous improvement mindset in an environment with a track record of achieving significant KPI improvement (Productivity, Quality, Service Levels, Delivery and Cost) year over year.
• Analyze spend data and present insights and recommendations based on the needs of the audience.
• Ensure applicable suppliers have current Corporate Supply Agreements (CSAs) in place, are up to date with the latest corporate expectations, and remain fully compliant.

• 3+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or category management (global preferred).
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience (business, supply chain, engineering, or related field).
• Experience with ERP/MRP and procurement management software.
• Demonstrated performance sourcing and negotiating to deliver measurable results to KPIs.
• Experience partnering in a global environment (EMEA, Americas, APAC).
• Proven ability to quickly establish credibility and influence others to drive change across an organization.