Category Manager Direct Materials

About the role

The Direct Materials Category Manager is integral to the success and profitability of the business. This role develops and executes a comprehensive global sourcing strategy for assigned categories, ensuring continuity of supply with best-in-class commercial terms. The manager will oversee global categories, manage the preferred vendor base, identify cost reduction opportunities, negotiate contracts, and evaluate market conditions for potential opportunities and threats.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the strategic plan for sourcing, procurement, and logistics of assigned Direct Raw Material categories for Westlake’s Performance and Essential Materials, and Housing and Infrastructure Products’ facilities.
• Serve as the commercial subject matter expert, collaborating with Business Unit Technical Teams to increase supply resiliency, support new product development, and qualify alternate materials and suppliers.
• Identify and implement best-in-class sourcing strategies and practices to support continuity of supply, quality, cost, and business unit requirements.
• Develop and implement category objectives using key performance indicators (KPIs) and manage these objectives to ensure KPIs are met.
• Utilize strategic sourcing practices, processes, and techniques to provide the best total cost supply chain solution while reducing supply risk.
• Establish and lead cross-functional teams to develop, execute, and maintain cross-company sourcing strategies, driving acceptance and use of a global strategic supply base.
• Direct market analysis for all historical and potential future category purchases, assessing the ability of the category strategy to meet Westlake’s volume, quality, performance, and total delivered cost requirements.
• Develop and implement global category cost reduction strategies addressing material cost, logistics cost, and quality, executing projects to reduce category costs and contribute to EBITDA performance.
• Direct the development of routine category cost forecasts to support each business’ financial forecast.
• Recommend processes, systems, and performance management reporting for category purchasing activities.
• Collaborate with Legal on contract negotiations, management, and execution; work with HS&E and regulatory SMEs to ensure safety and compliance of category purchases and logistics methods with preferred suppliers.
• Coordinate with technical teams on projects to qualify and approve alternative materials and suppliers.
• Establish a preferred supply base and manage it via supplier relationship management programs, including supplier scorecards/reviews to drive continuous improvement.
• Understand and ensure compliance with applicable company policies, including procurement policies and procedures, Sox controls, and DOA.
• Lead RFx processes, negotiations, supplier sourcing, contract negotiations, and compliance management for defined commodity groups.
• Perform any other assigned responsibilities.

Requirements

• B.S. in Engineering, or other technical field, business, or related field. A Master’s degree in Business is beneficial.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in manufacturing, petroleum refining, or petrochemical industries.
• Knowledge of raw material additives, their chemistries and precursors/intermediates, and the global footprint for sourcing these materials.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as effective presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
• Strong analytical skills; SAP experience is highly desirable.
• Extensive knowledge of the petrochemical industries and related category spend.
• Business management skills, including the ability to develop and execute strategy.
• Solid understanding of business disciplines, financial information, and contract negotiations.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence all levels of employees and management, both internally and externally with suppliers.
• Ability to make data-driven decisions or recommendations that align with strategies and consider impacts on other parts of the organization.

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to touch, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Requires close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, typically based in an office.
• Some work may be required in operating units, necessitating the use of required PPE, including safety glasses and hearing protection.
• May involve exposure to outside elements and require the use of stairs and elevators.
• Travel, including air or auto travel, may occasionally be required.