Global Category Specialist Chemicals

Roquette is a family-owned global leader in plant-based ingredients and a leading provider of pharmaceutical excipients.

Want to help us make a difference?
Using plant-based resources, we collaborate with our customers and partners to imagine and offer ingredients to better feed people and treat patients.
Each of our ingredients responds to unique and essential needs, and they enable healthier lifestyles.

The Role:

We are looking for our next Global Category Specialist Chemicals within the Direct Materials Procurement team. This role combines two key dimensions: the operational management of purchasing activities and supplier performance, and the development and implementation of procurement strategies that support business growth, cost savings, risk mitigation, working-capital improvement, new-product development and plant operating efficiency.

This position is based in Midland, MI; Wilmington, DE; or Geneva, IL. Other locations may be considered in consultation with Human Resources.

Compensation

The current salary range for this role is estimated to be $110,000-$166,000 In addition, this position may be eligible for performance-based incentive compensation. The specific compensation offered to a candidate will be influenced by factors including skills, qualifications, experience and location.

What you’ll do:

As part of the Direct Materials Procurement team, you will be responsible for developing, communicating and executing procurement strategies for a global chemicals portfolio. The portfolio includes petrochemicals, commodity chemicals—including chlor-alkali derivatives—and tail-spend raw materials.

You will work closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, R&D and Manufacturing Technology. You will also coordinate with Procurement colleagues in other regions to ensure effective implementation, alignment and optimal results across global, regional and local business needs.

You will be accountable for the management and performance of the full portfolio, including category strategies, strategic objectives and optimization of the supplier base. You will manage relationships with key suppliers, address supply concerns and ensure that supplier performance supports Roquette’s business priorities.

Beyond day-to-day procurement activities, this role requires a proactive and analytical mindset to challenge existing ways of working, identify new value levers and strengthen category competitiveness. You will bring structure and rigor to sourcing decisions, supplier relationship management, performance tracking and market-risk assessment.

Your experience and talents will make the difference to:

• Lead the sourcing strategy for the assigned chemicals portfolio with a high level of ownership and autonomy.
• Develop and implement global and regional category strategies that deliver strategic objectives at the lowest total life-cycle cost, in coordination with other regions.
• Apply a disciplined strategic sourcing methodology, including spend analysis, market intelligence, market assessment, supplier benchmarking and portfolio optimization.
• Identify, assess and qualify new suppliers to diversify the supplier base, mitigate risk and support security of supply.
• Build strong supplier partnerships and apply Supplier Relationship Management principles to enable growth, innovation, technology access and continuous improvement.
• Manage supplier performance, resolve performance issues and negotiate claims when necessary.
• Lead negotiations and contracting activities for the portfolio while ensuring alignment with Roquette objectives and stakeholder requirements.
• Maintain effective communication with internal stakeholders to align priorities and anticipate changes in business and operational needs.
• Reduce working capital through supplier collaboration, payment-term negotiations and other appropriate levers.
• Analyze category performance and define relevant KPIs covering spend, supplier base, contractual coverage, savings, risk and supplier performance.
• Monitor market trends, regulatory developments and supply risks to support decision-making and anticipate change.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Quality and Safety regulations, Roquette standards and customer requirements.
• Contribute to cross-functional and international projects, ensuring alignment between project needs and category strategies.

What you’ll need:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree, preferably in Business, Engineering, Economics or Supply Chain; a chemical background is a plus.
• At least five years of procurement experience in chemicals or related categories.
• At least five years of negotiation experience, with a strong understanding of sourcing, contract management and total-cost-of-ownership approaches.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical or chemical industry, including an understanding of relevant regulations.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to make sound decisions in a fast-moving environment.
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, procurement tools and sourcing platforms.
• CPSM/ISM certification or an equivalent procurement qualification is a plus.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is essential in our international environment.

This is an individual-contributor role. Success requires effective leadership of multifunctional teams in a matrix organization.

The role is primarily office-based and is a full-time position. Travel is required to develop and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Travel will be primarily within North America, with occasional international travel.

AAP/EEO statement

Roquette is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military or veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. AAP, EEO, Drug-Free Workplace.

Other duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

If you identify yourself in this position, please apply by uploading your resume and let's start the journey together!

Roquette is proud to be a global company where you can find personal and professional growth through multiple diverse experiences.

Roquette strives to create a dynamic workforce while remaining firmly committed to equal opportunity by complying with EEO laws.

As we continue to grow, Roquette understands that to be successful we must always be inclusive in our approach.

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