Bulk Shipping Category Manager

Location: Winona

The Company Imerys is the world’s leading supplier of mineral-based specialty solutions for the industry with 3.4 billion in revenue and 12,300 employees in 40 countries in 2025. The Group offers high value-added and functional solutions to a wide range of industries and fast-growing markets such as solutions for the energy transition and sustainable construction, as well as natural solutions for consumer goods.

Imerys draws on its understanding of applications, technological knowledge, and expertise in material science to deliver solutions which contribute essential properties to customers’ products and their performance. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Imerys promotes environmentally friendly products and processes in addition to supporting its customers in their decarbonization efforts.

Imerys is listed on Euronext Paris (France) with the ticker symbol NK.PA.The Position Bulk Shipping Category Manager

Job Summary

Job Summary /Purpose With a global spend of 80M the bulk shipping category is an important purchasing area  Bulk Shipping Category Manager is responsible for strategic purchasing of bulk, breakbulk, stevedoring and barging transportation for inbound & outbound flows. The role will oversee the purchasing process methodology, best practices, sourcing strategy and associated KPIs management. An operational responsibility is part of the role, in particular the chartering process and follow up of shipments.

Responsibilities Within the team develop and implement a Shipping Purchasing Strategy for your area of responsibility and aligned to the global plans, that best serves Imerys global needs for short and long term Deliver the planned savings for the Shipping Category region as well as the sustainability targets

Ensure to have a full and complete overview of Categories activities (bulk shipping, stevedoring, related activities, barging) enabling the function to design the required strategy and to approach the market as one unified and strong shipper with a sustainable objective and cost savings

Identify, quantify and pursue opportunities for cost savings or other improvements and manage them on a project basis until completion and validation of the captured savings

Contribute to create alignment across the Global Shipping Purchasing team suggesting common methodology, sharing best practices and secure continuity

Build a network with key stakeholders in Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Purchasing and actively work on alignment between the different contributors

Manage a common process of performance assessment for the category and report results periodically

Be a supportive but also challenging business partner and source of related knowledge for Imerys internal stakeholders, define common goals and provide and seek support for improvement projects

Setup a process of establishing detailed and tailor made SLA’s with the Imerys internal shipping operations defining the applicable way of cooperation on operational level

Actively build on relationships and be the Imerys representative with ship owners or shipping industry bodies and maintain a supplier relationship management process

Follow Market Evolution on different sub categories in the Bulk Shipping Industry and be able to report relevant information to key stakeholders

Support commercial teams by providing cost indications or ad-hoc opportunities for potential shipments

Maintain and update records containing financial and performance data, indexes, demurrages  a promotor and active contributor in bringing the Category to a higher level on automation and usage of tools, in particular by exploring opportunities in AI that could help the team

Qualifications

Master or Bachelor in Supply Chain or International Business Economics Solid relevant experience in Supply Chain, in particular Sea Freight and related activities in an international business environment (5 year +)Fluent in English Conversant in French, German, Italian or any other European language is a plus Knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics

Demonstrated ability to develop relationships & influence key decision makers internally & externally, regionally and globally

Proven experience in planning and leading complex negotiations

Highly motivated & results focused with the ability to act with a high sense of urgency

Ability to operate and execute effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and challenging deadlines

Thorough knowledge of the regulations,…