Category Manager - Capital & Plant Services

Annual Wage Range: $120,575.20 - $165,790.90Other Compensation: Eligibility for the Short-Term Incentive program and other applicable bonusesBenefits: U.S. Employee Benefits Summary (grace.com) Grace, a Standard Industries company, is a leading global supplier of catalysts, engineered materials and fine chemicals. We provide innovative products, technologies and services which our customers use to manufacture everyday products like renewable fuels, pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, cosmetics, food packaging, beer, edible oils and more. This role can be located in Columbia MD or Houston TX.Job DescriptionThe Category Manager – Capital & Plant Services reports to the Director, Global Indirect Sourcing and plays a critical role within the Global Procurement Organization. This leader is accountable for developing and executing global and regional sourcing strategies that optimize total cost of ownership (TCO), enhance supply reliability, and deliver measurable productivity across capital projects and plant services.The role oversees a $165M+ annual spend portfolio, partnering closely with Capital Projects, Engineering, and site Operations leadership, as well as external contractors and EPC firms. The plant services category includes industrial and commercial service providers spanning general contracting, electrical, mechanical, maintenance, and ISP (insulation, scaffolding, and corrosion prevention).This position requires a strategic mindset combined with strong operational execution, enabling best-in-class supplier performance, competitive sourcing outcomes, and alignment with enterprise growth and sustainability objectives.Please Note: the role can be located in Houston TX or Columbia MD. Relocation is available.Responsibilities (1 of 2)Develop and execute category strategies aligned to business priorities, optimizing TCO, resilience, and supplier performanceLead strategic sourcing initiatives and complex RFPs to drive competitive advantage and value creationBuild and sustain trusted relationships with internal stakeholders, EPCs, contractors, and site leadershipDrive productivity outcomes, including cost reduction, avoidance, and cash flow improvementsLead complex negotiations and influence senior stakeholders across internal and supplier organizationsEstablish and expand preferred supplier networks, improving safety, quality, and execution consistencyLeverage digital procurement tools (SAP Ariba, SAP Analytics Cloud, Salesforce, AI-enabled sourcing platforms) to enhance decision-making and transparencyUtilize data, market intelligence, and industry insights to inform strategies and anticipate risk/opportunityEnsure contract governance and compliance, including responsible sourcing and ESG considerationsProactively manage supplier performance, risk mitigation, and issue resolution, escalating as needed to leadership#LI -TC1 Responsibilities (2 of 2)Day-to-Day ImpactExecute sourcing events, contract negotiations, and supplier selectionsReview and approve purchasing activities within SAP AribaManage contract lifecycle activities (sourcing, execution, compliance)Monitor supplier performance and resolve operational issuesPartner with sites to support project execution and service deliveryTeam & CultureYou will join a high-performing, globally distributed procurement team of Category Managers and Supplier Relationship Managers. Our culture emphasizes:Collaboration & Trust – Strong cross-functional alignment and shared accountabilityPerformance & Growth – Continuous development through coaching, mentorship, and stretch opportunitiesInnovation & Insight – Data-driven decision-making and forward-thinking solutionsIntegrity & Impact – Transparent execution with a focus on measurable business resultsRequired QualificationsBachelor’s degree in supply chain, Engineering, Business, Operations, or related field7–10 years of experience in global industrial or manufacturing environments5+ years in strategic sourcing for capital projects and/or with indirect categories supporting capital projectsDemonstrated expertise managing complex capital project contracts (EPCs, contractors)Proven success delivering category strategies across multiple manufacturing sitesStrong stakeholder engagement and relationship management capabilitiesDemonstrated ability to lead, influence, and operate across matrixed organizationsAdvanced negotiation, financial acumen, and commercial decision-making skillsStrong analytical capability, including financial modeling and large dataset analysis (Excel/pivot tables)Experience with procurement and analytics platforms (SAP Ariba, SAP Analytics Cloud, Salesforce, SharePoint)#LI -TC1 BenefitsMedical, Dental, Vision InsuranceLife Insurance and DisabilityGrace Wellness ProgramFlexible WorkplaceRetirement Plans401(k) Company MatchPaid Vacation and HolidaysParental Leave (salaried only)Tuition ReimbursementCompany Donation Match ProgramGrace is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Grace via email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Grace. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Grace as a result of the referral or through other means.