Global Category Manager (Plastics/Pharmaceutical Industries)

Job Description

Job Description

Job Overview: The Global Category Manager will lead and execute global sourcing strategies across multiple locations. This role reports to the Director of Strategic Sourcing and involves oversight of procurement, vendor relationships, contracting, and cost optimization.
Ideal Candidate

• Demonstrated success developing and implementing category strategies from concept to execution.
• Prior experience in plastic components procurement is highly desirable.
• If not experienced in plastics, background in medical devices or pharmaceuticals is preferred.
• Experience managing sourcing operations across 87 plants or similar large-scale environments.
• Strong forecasting, analytical, and negotiation skills with an ability to influence stakeholders globally.
• Proven record of delivering cost reduction, supplier quality improvement, and supply assurance.
• Culturally agile leader who excels in a global, fast-paced, and matrixed organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of global category sourcing strategies aligned with business goals.
• Collaborate with business, R&D, and procurement teams under the Hub and Spoke Model to drive category performance.
• Analyze spending trends, cost drivers, and market factors to optimize sourcing strategies.
• Manage end-to-end procurement activities including vendor evaluation, site audits, and supplier performance improvement.
• Build and maintain a consolidated supplier base to meet current and future business needs.
• Lead enterprise-wide supplier negotiations and develop contracts in collaboration with Legal.
• Oversee supplier business reviews and drive improvements in cost, delivery, and quality.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, ethics, and procurement standards.
• Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes using Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
• Provide sourcing leadership for facilities in Mexico and manage category operations across multiple global plants.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with 6 8 years of relevant experience in procurement and category management.
• Strong understanding of sourcing processes, negotiations, costing exercises, make-versus-buy analysis, and market intelligence.
• Experience using procurement tools such as Ariba and ERP systems.
• Excellent analytical, forecasting, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to lead sourcing strategy development (5-step or 7-step method).
• Ability to manage suppliers and teams across multiple cultures.
• Bilingual proficiency (preferred).

Preferred Experience:

• Background in plastic components procurement.
• Experience within medical devices or pharmaceutical industries (if no plastics background).
• Strong leadership across global operations supporting 80 plants.
• Demonstrated success in building long-term vendor relationships and delivering cost savings.