Global Category Manager – Indirect Procurement MRO

Global Category Manager- Morristown, NJ (REMOTE)

Arxada is a global leader in innovative solutions that protect our world. Our groundbreaking technologies, in-depth regulatory know-how, manufacturing and process development help our customers to safeguard nutrition, health and infrastructure efficiently through chemistry and biotechnology that enhance sustainability. We offer a broad portfolio of ingredients and services for multiple end-markets that include Human Health & Nutrition, Home & Personal Care, Professional Hygiene, Paints & Coatings and Wood Protection.

With customers in more than 100 countries, the company achieved sales of CHF 2 billion in 2024. Headquartered in Basel (Switzerland), Arxada employs 3,200 associates across 24 production sites and 14 R&D centers, all committed to our customers’ success.

This position will lead and assume full accountability for the following categories: MRO Maintenance, Repair, Operations and R&D. The Global Category Manager will lead high priority strategic sourcing and other cost reduction initiatives, launching a strong and credible brand for indirect procurement at Arxada. Additionally, the successful candidate will manage categories globally, and end to include sourcing, negotiating, contracting, onboarding, and managing risk. You will lead sustainability and supplier diversity initiatives, optimize supplier performance and internal operative indirect procurement process.

Essential Job Functions:

• Partner with business stakeholders to develop strategic sourcing strategies, competitively bid requirements, select suppliers, negotiate, contract, onboard, and manage suppliers.
• Utilize the full set of advanced procurement levers such as demand management, spec rationalization to identify cost savings opportunities and to reduce costs, and policy controls to reach business outcomes.
• Analyze and interpret business requirements, associated spend information as well as future procurement demand plans.
• Develop and maintain market understanding and working knowledge of supply economics, processes and cost drivers for the relevant product portfolio.
• Match internal demand with market insights into actionable strategies for the assigned spending bucket including supplier relationships.
• Ensure objectives, actions and priorities are aligned both within Procurement and the Arxada business as well as functional stakeholders.
• Constantly challenge status quo and observe market developments and their implication/ opportunity on Arxada.
• Collaborate with top business leaders at Arxada and colleagues at all levels. Clarify business requirements. Drive proactive Procurement communications. Support decision making. Jointly develop and implement strategy.
• Work closely with key stakeholders to develop cost reduction strategies and implement plans that meet business needs.
• Drive competitive pricing and annual cost savings (includes year over year price reductions and TCO cost reduction) in each spend category.
• Track savings programs in relative financial and procurement repositories, forecast savings vs. standard and monitor actuals.
• Manage relationships with vendors acting as the primary point of contact within Arxada. Develop the supplier relationship according to the expectations per supplier segment.
• Assess all suppliers for category portfolio. Specifically for suppliers assessed at “integrated” or “preferred”, ensure highest level of engagement and information risk management.
• Lead supplier relationship management and supplier development activities
• Drive supplier performance and compliance (reliability, scorecards, KPIs…).

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree (Business or Finance) or equivalent experience. Master’s degree (MBA) or an equivalent level of experience (preferred_ for Indirect Procurement.
• Experience supporting manufacturing sites (i.e. chemical plants, Oil & Gas, etc.)  from a procurement perspective. .

The expected salary range for this role is $87,000-$128,000 but specific employee compensation may vary depending on factors including experience, education, training, licensure, certification, location and other job-related, non-discriminatory factors permitted by law.

This role is also eligible to earn a short-term incentive bonus and the following benefits: 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, paid time off, paid holidays and paid sick leave.

Arxada has world class offering in two distinct areas:

Microbial Control Solutions (MCS) focuses on threats posed by microorganisms to people and planet through five distinct business lines including Professional Hygiene, Home & Personal Care, Wood Protection, Paints & Coatings and Material Protection.

Nutrition, Care & Environmental (NCE), meanwhile, provides materials used to manufacture composites for electronics, aerospace and other markets, as well as vitamins and nutritional ingredients, chemicals and performance intermediates, and raw materials for a wide range of high-performance applications.

Arxada is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law

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