Purchasing Category Manager in Worcester, Massachusetts

Job Title

This role is a combination of BU purchasing manager and Category purchasing manager. As a BU purchasing manager, this role is responsible for BU level purchasing performance. This role coordinates with site purchasing team and category managers to drive purchasing KPI at BU level. The BU manager will be responsible for creating budget and RF for each plant in the region, and report BU level activities to Purchasing Director on a regular basis.

As Category Manager, this role is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for key material categories to support business objectives. This role drives supplier negotiations, leads RFPs, and implements formal supply agreements while ensuring full compliance with purchasing policies and internal controls. The Category Manager builds deep market insight, identifies cost-saving and risk-mitigation opportunities, and partners closely with R&D to qualify alternate suppliers, support innovation, and enable new product development.

The role also supports stakeholders across the business by proposing competitive sourcing solutions, managing supplier qualification efforts, and promoting efficient cross-functional purchasing practices.

• Establish clear and formal long-term strategies for the sourcing of raw materials in line with the Business' goals and objectives.
• Put in place risk mitigation strategies by working with R&D to qualify alternate suppliers.
• Develop deep understanding of markets for Categories managed, including key players, appropriate indices, trends
• Lead RFP's and supplier negotiations.
• Continuously challenge suppliers and obtain competitive prices on all materials
• Implement formal supply agreements with all key suppliers with the help of the legal group.
• Identify, lead and implement VAVE (Value Added / Value Engineering) and Vendor Innovation Partnership projects with suppliers to "right size" specifications of raw materials or components purchased in order to increase end customer value and/or reduce costs.
• Work with R&D for cost savings opportunities, Business Continuity Planning (risk mitigation) and New Product Development initiatives
• Ensure material sourcing is compliant with the Purchasing Policy and Purchasing ICRF (Internal Controls Reference Framework)
• All RFPs are required to use Pro Source and are accompanied by the Supplier Charter and all contracts uploaded in Procure Net.
• Support stakeholders in the business by proposing innovative & competitive solutions.
• Support the identification, selection, qualification and implementation of new suppliers.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders across functions and businesses to implement efficient intercompany purchasing practices
• 25% Travel to supplier visits & Audits, site visits, and/or training sessions.

- This position requires a bachelor's degree or a minimum of five years of demonstrated success in Procurement, Leadership, or Project Management.

- The ideal candidate is a self-starter who is highly organized, analytical, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.

- The role demands a strong leader who can perform effectively under pressure, champion change, and collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders.

- Candidates must conduct all activities with discretion, confidentiality, and attention to security.

- Strong prioritization skills are essential, as the position must assess and respond to material and service needs for multiple internal customers.

- A service-oriented mindset and sensitivity to customer requirements are critical.

- Exceptional communication skills and professional interpersonal conduct are required to interface with internal teams, external partners, vendors, and visitors daily.

- The individual must be confident, poised, and able to represent the Company with professionalism in all interactions

Saint-Gobain Specialty Grains and Powders designs and manufactures tailored material solutions for our customers, worldwide. Our advanced ceramic materials solutions enable our customers to meet the toughest application requirements in a broad range of markets, such as:
Abrasives, Aerospace, Automotive, Energy, Semiconductors and many others. We work in close collaboration with customers at any step of their journey. We are going further together!

Saint-Gobain provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Saint-Gobain is an equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and supports the hiring of veterans.

Saint-Gobain aims to deliver a comprehensive Total Rewards package to support our employees' wellbeing and help improve daily life for themselves and their families. We believe in the importance of…