Director, Global Procurement Operations

Annual Wage Range: $162,687.20 - $223,694.90 Other Compensation: Eligibility for the Short-Term Incentive program and other applicable bonuses Benefits: 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. Our thousands of employees help shape a better future at our global headquarters in Columbia, MD and locations worldwide.Job DescriptionThe Director, Global Procurement Operations sets the enterprise vision and leads end to end (E2E) execution of Grace’s Source to Pay (S2P) and Supplier Lifecycle Management capabilities overseeing ~$2B in spend. The role drives global process design, governance, digital enablement, and operational excellence. It’s accountable for defining and delivering procurement technology strategy, including Ariba, and ensures scalable, compliant, value creating processes from supplier onboarding through payment, performance, and risk. The role encompasses the role of Global Process Owner (GPO), designing and governing standardized process frameworks, including operating models, KPIs, and continuous improvement mechanisms. With functional leadership of a 40+ person global team, the Director partners closely with Strategic Sourcing, Manufacturing, Finance, IT, Quality, Risk, and business leaders to deliver efficiency, savings, service excellence, and cash flow impactResponsibilities (1 of 2)Enterprise Leadership & GovernanceModel Grace’s safety-first culture and lead with accident free workplace accountabilityServe as Global Process Owner for S2P, setting enterprise standards, policies, and controlsEnsure tight integration of S2P with planning, manufacturing, finance, quality, and enterprise riskAlign procurement operations with enterprise strategy and priorities in partnership with leadershipSource to Pay Digitalization & TransformationOwn and execute the global S2P digital roadmap, driving automation, standardization, and scaleLead optimization and continuous improvement of Ariba/SAP and connected procurement technologiesDeliver step change improvements in cycle time, productivity, user experience, and data transparencyLeverage analytics and BI to manage supplier performance, risk, and value realizationResponsibilities (2 of 2)Global Process Ownership (GPO) Leadership and ExpertiseDrive clear accountability for vision, design, governance, and performance across regions and businesses for complex, E2E enterprise processesDefine global standards, policies, controls, and decision rights while balancing enterprise consistency with regional and business needs.Drive alignment across adjacent processes and functions (e.g., Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, IT, EHS), ensuring seamless integration and elimination of handoffs, duplication, and inefficiencies.Procurement Operations & Supplier PerformanceSets strategic objectives for global procurement operations to support sourcing strategies that deliver high service to manufacturing and functional stakeholdersEnforce supplier performance management across quality, delivery, cost, risk, and serviceRapidly escalate and resolve critical supplier issues with a solutions-oriented approachGovern supplier onboarding, lifecycle performance, and risk to protect supply continuity and total costPeople Leadership & Change ManagementProvide visible leadership to a diverse, global organizationCollaborate with Global Business Services (GBS) leadership to ensure talent development, performance management, and succession planningLead change management for global process and system transformationsRequired QualificationsExecutive-level presence and proven ability to influence cross functional leaders and drive changeStrong commercial and relationship management skills; builds trusted, collaborative partnershipsAction oriented, results-driven leader with a track record of delivering outcomes through teamsDeep expertise in global S2P, including process design, governance, controls, and digital enablementDemonstrated change-leadership in driving digital adoption across regions and functions, including stakeholder engagement, training strategies, communication, and continuous improvement.Deep experience as a GPO designing and governing standardized process frameworks, including ownership of processes, operating models, KPIs, and continuous improvement mechanisms.Strong business and financial acumen, including supplier financial health and total cost managementAdvanced analytical capability: leverages data to drive decisions and improve E2EperformanceClear, compelling communicator effective across regions, cultures, and senior audiencesProven program, project, and change leader managing multiple strategic initiativesHands-on experience implementing enterprise procurement platforms and analytics tools5+ years of effective leadership and collaboration with global operations in GBS environments.Demonstrated success leading large-scale S2P processes and procurement digitalization initiatives.Deep experience working directly with suppliers to balance commercial needs, risk, and total cost while building collaborative partnerships.Proven leadership of large, complex programs and high-performance global teamsAbility to travel up to 25%#LI -TC1 Preferred QualificationsBachelor’s degree required (Science, Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business preferred).MBA and/or professional certifications (e.g., CPSM, CIPS, CSCP) are highly preferred.10+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain within a global, world-class manufacturing environment (chemical or materials industry preferredBenefitsMedical, Dental, Vision InsuranceLife Insurance and DisabilityGrace Wellness ProgramFlexible WorkplaceRetirement Plans 401(k) Company Match Paid 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.