Category Manager Direct Materials

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.​

SUMMARY

The Direct Materials Category Manager responsibilities are considered integral to the success and profitability of the business.   The job of the Direct Materials Category Manager is to develop and execute a comprehensive global sourcing strategy for their respective categories that ensure continuity of supply with best in class commercial terms. The Direct Materials Category Manager will , manage their global categories, the preferred vendor base, identify cost reduction opportunities, negotiate contracts, and evaluate market conditions for potential opportunities and threats to their categories and the company.     

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develops and executes the strategic plan for the sourcing, procurement and logistics of assigned Direct Raw Material categories for Westlake’s Performance and Essential Materials, and Housing and Infrastructure Products’ facilities.
• Serve as the commercial subject matter expert working with the Business Unit Technical Teams to increase supply resiliency, new product development and the qualification of alternate materials and suppliers.
• Identify and implement best in class sourcing strategy and practices which support continuity of supply, quality, cost and business unit requirements.
• Develop and implement category objectives using key performance indicators.   Manage category objectives to insure the KPI’s are met.
• Utilize strategic sourcing practices, processes and techniques across the organization to provide the best total cost supply chain solution, while reducing risk of supply.
• Establish and lead cross functional teams to develop, execute and maintain cross company sourcing strategies driving acceptance and use of a global strategic supply base.
• Directs market analysis for all historical and potential future category purchases. Assesses the ability of the category strategy to satisfy Westlake’s volume, quality, performance and total delivered cost requirements.
• Develops and implements global category cost reduction strategies addressing material cost, logistics cost, and quality. 
• Executes projects leading to specific reductions in category costs contributing to each business’ EBITDA performance.
• Directs development of routine category cost forecasts supporting each business’ financial forecast.
• Recommends processes, systems, and performance management reporting for category purchasing activities.
• Collaborates with Legal on contract negotiations, management and execution; collaborates with HS&E and regulatory SME’s to ensure safety and compliance of category purchases and logistics methods with preferred suppliers; and coordinates with the various technical teams projects to qualify and approve alternative materials and suppliers
• Establish a preferred supply base and manage via suppler relationship management programs, including supplier scorecards/reviews to drive continuous improvement.
• Understand applicable company policy and insure personal and team compliance including the procurement policy and procedures, Sox controls and DOA.
• Lead RFx, negotiations, supplier sourcing, contract negotiations and compliance management for defined commodity groups.
• Any other responsibilities as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. in Engineering, or other technical field, business or related field,.  Master’s degree in Business is beneficial.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the manufacturing, petroleum refining or petrochemical industries.
• Knowledge of raw material additives, their chemistries and precursors/intermediates, and the global footprint for sourcing these materials..
• Strong written & verbal communication skills, as well as effective presentation skills. 
• Strong Microsoft Power Point, Word and Excel skills. Strong analytical skills required, SAP experience is highly desirable.
• Extensive knowledge of petrochemical industries and related category spend.
• Business management skills including the ability to develop and execute strategy. Solid understanding of business disciplines and financial information, and contract negotiations.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence all levels of employees and management, both inside the company and externally with suppliers.
• Ability to make decisions or recommendations that are “data based” and align decisions with strategies. Considers the impacts of decisions on other parts of the organization.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office.  Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.  May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators.  Travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.

If you are an active Westlake employee (or an employee of any Westlake affiliates), please do not apply here. You will apply via the Jobs Hub application in Workday.