Director of Procurement – Chemical & Raw Materials

About the role

This position is accountable for providing leadership and direction for a large procurement category. The Director of Procurement – Chemicals and Raw Materials develops, recommends, and implements procurement strategic sourcing strategies and continuous improvement initiatives to create a robust and resilient supply chain in alignment with business growth and profitability goals. This role operates within a matrix organization and reports to the VP, Procurement - North Americas.

To support flexibility, we will consider candidates who can work a hybrid schedule of two days in the Cambridge office, two days in the Akron office, and one day remotely each week.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted business partner to senior and executive leadership by regularly communicating sourcing strategies, progress, outcomes, and critical issues, effectively influencing decisions across multiple levels of the organization.
• Take ownership of assigned spend categories and create supply strategies and cost-saving initiatives.
• Manage vendor relationships, supplier performance, negotiate contracts, and identify and implement improvement opportunities.
• Implement and maintain procurement best practices, policies, and procedures across the organization.
• Serve as the thought leader for procurement aspects of risk mitigation, sustainability, EHS, technology, automation, and data analytics.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for supplier performance and sourcing effectiveness. Develop and deliver reporting on vendor performance and initiate improvements as necessary.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product development, operations, finance, and legal to ensure alignment of sourcing activities with business needs.
• Analyze market trends, commodity prices, and geopolitical factors to anticipate and mitigate supply chain risks.
• Stay informed about global trade regulations, tariffs, and compliance requirements, ensuring adherence across all sourcing activities.
• Provide inspiring, hands-on leadership that motivates, coaches, and develops the procurement team to consistently perform at their best, fostering a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Set clear strategic direction and performance expectations, ensuring alignment with business objectives while providing regular, constructive feedback and individualized coaching to support both results delivery and long-term professional growth.
• Champion talent development and succession planning, identifying development opportunities, building capabilities, and preparing the procurement organization with the skills, mindset, and leadership strength required to support future business needs.
• Address performance and/or behavior issues with documentation, coaching, corrective actions, and discipline as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, chemical engineering, business, or related field.
• Ten or more years of progressive experience in procurement within a manufacturing environment and a minimum of five years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of delivering significant cost savings and process improvements.
• Extensive contract negotiation experience, commercial acumen, and legal understanding.
• CSCP, CPSM certification, or MBA preferred.
• Experience with PVC and rubber compounding sourcing is a plus.
• Experience in working within a fast-paced, complex, dynamic business environment.
• Exceptional leadership and team management experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, skilled at communicating at all levels within the organization as well as with customers and vendors.
• Experience maintaining positive relationships with internal and external customers and suppliers.
• Strong skills in using MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Adaptive to AI procurement technologies and implementation.
• ERP experience with SAP or Oracle preferred.
• Strong data analytic capabilities.
• Use of procurement tools such as eRFX, supplier portals, contract management, spend cubes, should-cost modeling, and artificial intelligence preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Excellent bonus potential.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Paid time off, training, and holidays.
• Charitable contribution match program.
• Tuition assistance.
• Wellness/fitness resources.
• Training and professional development.
• 401K match with a 2-year vesting period.
• Employee stock purchase plan.
• Dynamic culture and people-focused environment.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $140,000 to $170,000 with bonus potential.

About the company

Quanex (NYSE: NX) is a global, publicly traded manufacturing company primarily serving OEMs in the fenestration, cabinetry, solar, refrigeration, and outdoor products markets. We improve the performance and aesthetics of end products through continuous innovation, help customers achieve greater production efficiencies, and are dedicated to giving back to communities where we operate. We produce shareholder value and help our employees learn, grow, and thrive.