Raw Materials Category Manager

OXEA Corporation Company Overview | World leader in Oxo Chemicals

Oxo products are the core competency of OXEA Corporation. We are producing more than 70 oxo intermediates and oxo derivatives for customers in a wide range of industries with various end market applications. Our chemicals are important ingredients in products that are used in daily life around the world. "We" refers to more than 1,200 OXEA employees worldwide. At our plants in Germany, the USA, and China, we produce intermediates and derivatives.

Position Summary

The Raw Materials Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing regional strategic sourcing initiatives and risk management strategies for Raw Materials in the United States. This role drives procurement strategies that ensure a reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective supply of raw materials while supporting production requirements and business growth.

Working cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Planning, Marketing, Sales, Finance and Logistics, the Category Manager translates sourcing strategies into commercial agreements, purchase orders, and supplier partnerships that optimize cost, quality, service, and supply continuity. The position requires strong market intelligence, supplier relationship management, contract negotiation, forecasting, and category management expertise.

The Category Manager operates in alignment with company values, procurement policies, safety and environmental standards, applicable regulations, and industry best practices.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Strategic Sourcing

• Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies for assigned raw materials categories that support business objectives and long-term supply security.
• Build reliable, sustainable, and cost-efficient sourcing strategies in collaboration with Supply Chain, Marketing, Manufacturing, and regional leadership.
• Evaluate global and regional supply markets to identify opportunities for supplier diversification, cost optimization, and risk mitigation.
• Identify, qualify, and onboard new suppliers to enhance supply resilience and competitive sourcing.
• Lead sourcing initiatives, competitive bidding events, and tender processes.

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Negotiate commercial terms, pricing agreements, and long-term supply contracts that maximize value while ensuring supply continuity.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships and conduct regular supplier performance evaluations.
• Collaborate with suppliers to improve quality, delivery performance, service levels, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support supplier audits and ensure compliance with company standards and procurement policies.

Market Intelligence & Risk Management

• Continuously monitor feedstock markets, including upstream and downstream industry trends, pricing movements, supply-demand dynamics, and geopolitical risks.
• Assess market conditions to proactively identify opportunities and mitigate supply disruptions resulting from plant turnarounds, scheduled maintenance, force majeure events, or other market changes.
• Develop recommendations that support sourcing decisions and business planning.

Forecasting & Business Planning

• Prepare monthly procurement forecasts and rolling 18-month demand forecasts.
• Participate in monthly forecasting and business review meetings.
• Develop market analyses, reports, dashboards, and executive presentations to support strategic decision-making.
• Support budgeting activities and procurement planning.

Cost Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement initiatives that reduce total cost of ownership while maintaining quality and service expectations.
• Develop and monitor procurement KPIs to measure supplier performance, cost savings, supply reliability, and category effectiveness.
• Lead or participate in strategic business growth and capital projects requiring procurement support.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and supply chain operations.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, regulatory requirements, quality standards, and health, safety, and environmental (HSE) requirements.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Assist in maintaining procurement procedures and Integrated Management System (IMS) documentation.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Professional procurement certification (CPSM, CPSD, CIPS, APICS, or equivalent) is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, or supply chain management within manufacturing, chemicals, petrochemicals, or industrial environments.
• Proven experience negotiating complex commercial agreements and managing supplier relationships.
• Experience leading sourcing events, tenders, and contract negotiations.
• Knowledge of logistics, transportation, Incoterms, and international shipping practices.
• Experience analyzing commodity markets and supply-demand trends.
• Experience supporting forecasting, budgeting, and procurement planning.
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle is preferred.

Core Competencies

Technical Competencies

• Strategic sourcing, category management, and Supplier relationship management
• Contract negotiation and commercial acumen
• Commodity and market analysis
• Cost modeling and total cost of ownership analysis
• Risk management and supply continuity planning
• Forecasting and analytical skills
• Strong analytical and financial modeling capabilities
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Project management
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced global environment

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Results-oriented with a bias for action.
• Strong project management and execution capabilities.
• High degree of integrity, accountability, and ownership.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Annual savings and value creation delivery.
• Energy procurement performance versus market benchmarks.
• Hedging effectiveness and commodity risk mitigation.
• Industrial gas cost competitiveness and supply reliability.
• Catalyst and metals cost optimization.
• Supplier performance and strategic relationship development.
• Contract compliance and coverage.
• Supply continuity and risk management.
• Sustainability and ESG objectives.
• Stakeholder satisfaction.

Strategic Impact

The U.S. Raw Materials Category Manager plays a critical role in managing some of the company's most strategically important and high-value raw material spend categories. By developing best-in-class sourcing strategies, optimizing supplier relationships, and implementing effective market intelligence and commodity risk management programs, this position directly contributes to manufacturing continuity, cost competitiveness, EBITDA improvement, supply security, and long-term competitive advantage across the company's U.S. manufacturing network. Through proactive management of feedstock markets, supplier performance, and total cost of ownership, the role ensures a reliable, resilient, and sustainable supply base that supports the company's operational and growth objectives.

All Employees are invited to participate regardless of race, sex, age, color, national origin, marital status, religion, disability or veteran status, and any other criterion prescribed by law.

OXEA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not tolerate discrimination based on race, sex, age, color, national origin, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Check Out Our Benefits

• Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Plans
• Health Equity Health Fund for health and dependent care
• Disability Benefits
• Basic Group Term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Work/Life Balance
• Paid Time Off for a balanced life
• Competitive salary, bonus, 401(k) plan with match and profit-sharing match