Sr Category Manager

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Always Connecting, Always Evolving.

TECHEAD is seeking qualified applicants for the following Direct Hire position – Sr Category Manager / Richmond VA – (JOB-22528). If you are looking for a new opportunity and this position looks to be a fit, please apply to see the TECHEAD difference that has made us successful for 30+ years!

You can find more about our team and values by checking us out at TECHEAD.com or on Glassdoor

Job Description:

Full-time, Direct Hire
Onsite in Richmond, VA
Salary: $140k to $160k

*Relocation available for qualified candidates

About the Job

Responsible for ensuring an uninterrupted, cost-effective supply of a portfolio of raw materials, goods, and services to support global business goals and operations—including production, contract manufacturing, R&D, and corporate functions.

This role manages upwards of $100M+ in annual spend across high-complexity, business-critical materials. Operating with 70% strategic focus and 30% tactical execution, the position exercises significant autonomy to develop global category strategies and provide cross-functional procurement leadership. Direct supervisory responsibilities may apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing: Define and execute robust regional and global sourcing strategies for raw materials, products, and services, maintaining alignment across regions.

• Market & Risk Management: Monitor chemical and raw material market dynamics, cost drivers, and supply chain interdependencies. Proactively anticipate, manage, and communicate market changes and risk factors.

• Supplier Relationship Management (SRM): Manage supplier performance to support core business goals (cost, quality, delivery, safety, business continuity, sustainability, and payment terms). Drive continuous improvement projects with external partners.

• Commercial Negotiation: Lead negotiations to optimize commercial terms, secure continuous supply, implement contracts, and ensure primary enterprise management databases remain current.

• New Material & Tech Qualification: Identify and onboard secondary sources and emerging technologies within the portfolio to drive competitive advantage.

• Forecasting & Planning: Develop volume and price forecasts for internal planning (including the Annual Operating Plan process) and external vendor communication.

• Process Excellence: Champion best-practice procurement workflows, including RFXs, vendor selection/qualification, SRM, and contract execution.

• Quality Assurance & Resolution: Monitor material quality and consistency. Partner with Process Technology, R&D, and Manufacturing to resolve supplier quality issues efficiently.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders by delivering insights on market trends, competitive factors, potential market entrants, and supply issues.

• Team Leadership: May supervise direct reports, facilitating professional development, training, and performance management.

Position Qualifications

Education & Experience (Minimum Required)

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical/business field.

• Experience: 10+ years of progressive strategic procurement/sourcing experience managing complex negotiations, strategic planning, and leadership roles.

• Systems: 10+ years of applied experience utilizing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems (e.g., SAP or equivalent) alongside analytics tools (e.g., Tableau, MS Excel).

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master’s or MBA).

• Experience within the specialty chemical, industrial manufacturing, or process manufacturing industries.

• Professional certifications such as CPSM or CIPS.

• Lean Six Sigma certification or applied continuous improvement experience.

Key Competencies & Core Skills

• Integrity & Business Acumen: Uncompromising ethics paired with a strong understanding of chemical industry value chains and market economics.

• Strategic Negotiation & Influence: Proven capacity to lead complex negotiations, resolve conflicts, and build consensus without direct authority.

• Project & Time Management: Highly organized self-starter capable of managing multiple concurrent high-priority projects under deadline.

• Analytical Thinking: Strong capability to leverage data tools for decision-making, spend analysis, and strategic forecasting.

TECHEAD’s mission is to make our on-site associates successful by placing them in the right environment so they can grow and prosper. How we treat and respond to our clients and employees is a reflection of who we are and makes us stand out from the rest. Keeping our business focused on building and maintaining relationships with our employees and clients is the key to our success. We won’t strive for anything less.

TECHEAD provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

For more information on TECHEAD please visit www.techead.com.

No second parties will be accepted.

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