Category Manager - Direct Materials

Overview

At Chemours, we create a cleaner world through chemistry, redefining markets and improving lives worldwide. We develop market‑leading products with high performance, sustainability, and safety across sectors such as clean energy, advanced electronics, high‑performance computing, AI, climate‑friendly cooling, and paints and coatings.

Category Manager – Direct Materials, part of the Corporate Procurement team at our Wilmington, DE headquarters. Reports to the Procurement Director – Advanced Performance Materials and Thermal & Specialized Solutions.

• Drive strategic sourcing, develop and lead global category strategies for specialties (e.g., precious metals, catalysts) and commodities (e.g., hydrofluorocarbons, critical raw materials).
• Act as a strategic thought partner, fostering cross‑functional engagement and planning, understanding customer requirements, and incorporating them into category strategies.
• Identify and mitigate supply risk, monitor site risks, and implement risk mitigation strategies for key materials.
• Define negotiation targets, prepare negotiation plans, lead cross‑functional teams, and achieve best possible TCO pricing while maintaining quality standards.
• Conduct negotiations, document agreements, carry out legal and financial reviews, obtain approvals, implement contracts, and review supplier performance post‑implementation.
• Use data analytics to interpret spend, contract, and market information, identify trends, and inform decision‑makers.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activity, and customer demand to identify potential products, services, and suppliers.
• Build and maintain supplier relationships, negotiate pricing and terms, introduce new suppliers, and consolidate lower‑tier spend.
• Develop sourcing strategies, align with stakeholders, prepare regular performance reports, and share insights and recommendations with senior managers.
• Develop metrics, automate dashboards, and align KPIs with stakeholder goals and benchmarks.
• Drive cost savings, avoidance, and working‑capital improvements through collaboration with suppliers and internal customers.
• Mentor associate category managers on category management, supplier management, supply risk, and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead bidding strategy, execute RFX, RFP, and competitive bids, and optimize bidding processes.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or engineering.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in procuring or managing categories related to the chemical industry.
• Strong expertise in Strategic Sourcing or Supply Chain Management, including vendor management, SRM, supply risk, and regulatory compliance.
• Strategic leadership skills and proven ability to build working relationships with site leadership and operations.
• Excellent negotiation skills and experience managing and negotiating contracts.
• Proficiency in MS Office, Outlook, and Internet applications, and ability to create and interpret key reports.
• Experience in business analysis, market research, financial analysis, cost modelling, and supplier performance management.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, self‑motivation, and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Business acumen to create, position, and negotiate commercial arrangements that deliver advantage.
• Ability to build strong business cases with data and present them to senior management.

• Master’s degree in business (MBA) or Supply Chain certifications.
• Experience with Source to Pay (S2P) software such as GEP, Ariba, Keelvar, or similar.
• Proficiency in SAP S4/HANA or equivalent ERP.
• Knowledge of go‑to‑market strategies such as reverse auctions and e‑sourcing.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.

• Competitive compensation.
• Comprehensive benefits packages.
• 401(k) match.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Strong inclusion and diversity initiatives.
• Company‑paid volunteer day.

Pay range (local currency): $ – $; annual bonus target: 11%.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, religion, color, gender, disability, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Jurisdictions may have additional grounds for non‑discrimination, and we comply with all applicable laws. Chemours is an E‑Verify employer;

candidates must be able to perform all duties with or without accommodations. Immigration sponsorship is not currently available for this position.