Direct Procurement Global Category Manager

Job Title: Direct Procurement Global Category Manager

Job Location: Wickliffe, OH or Deer Park, TX

Job Type: Full-time

Type of Role: Hybrid

About Lubrizol  
The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a specialty chemical company whose science delivers sustainable solutions to advance mobility, improve wellbeing and enhance modern life. Founded in 1928, Lubrizol owns and operates more than 100 manufacturing facilities, sales, and technical offices around the world and has about 8,000 employees. For more information, visit www.Lubrizol.com.

We value diversity in professional backgrounds and life experiences. By enabling a consistent, unbiased, and transparent recruitment process, Lubrizol seeks to create a positive experience for candidates so we can get to know them at their best. We recognize unique work and life situations and offer flexibility, ensuring our employees feel engaged and fulfilled in every aspect of life.   

Join Our Thriving Team at Lubrizol as Direct Procurement Global Category Manager

Unleash Your Potential. At Lubrizol we're transforming the specialty chemicals industry and looking for exceptional talent to join us on this journey. If you are ready to join an international company with talent around the world, and want to make a real impact, we want you on our team.

What You’ll Do:

As the Global Category Manager for direct procurement, your primary responsibility is overseeing the global supplier portfolio providing raw materials for your designated category. This involves developing and implementing a strategic category plan to optimize value for the corporation, ensuring a secure supply chain, minimizing total cost of ownership, and enhancing competitive advantage while meeting business needs. Reporting to the Regional Procurement Manager, you are accountable to the Global Procurement Director and Chief Procurement Officer for effectively managing the assigned category.

What We’re Looking For:

• Manage the global portfolio of a specific raw material category within a matrix organization.
• Source and onboard suppliers, facilitating master supply agreements and contracts globally.
• Coordinate the global strategy for the assigned category, focusing on optimizing total cost of ownership (TCO) and driving productivity and complexity reduction.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop effective strategies, leveraging regional and industry best practices.
• Ensure consistency and alignment across all regions by partnering with global stakeholders.
• Translate business strategy into global procurement strategies.
• Regularly assess Business Partner requirements and adjust procurement plans accordingly.
• Develop and execute multi-year sourcing strategies to optimize total cost of ownership, quality, service, and innovation.
• Utilize end-to-end sourcing expertise to resolve escalations and execute strategies.
• Lead pricing and negotiation strategies to achieve cost savings targets.
• Educate stakeholders and apply market intelligence to enhance competitive position and mitigate risk.
• Report cost evolution and trends for category materials to support business objectives.
• Implement effective supplier management practices to improve supplier performance.
• Drive early business engagements and manage supplier activity across multiple accounts.
• Ensure compliance with company HSES policies, practices, and procedures.
• Adhere to all corporate and procurement policies and procedures.
• Represent Lubrizol in a professional, legal, and ethical manner to maintain brand integrity.

Skills That Make a Difference:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Supply Chain, Business, or other related fields.  Extensive experience may be considered.
• At least 10 years of experience in the chemical industry preferred.
• Fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to relate and work well with individuals at all levels, internally and externally.
• Demonstrated analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to deal with cultural differences and regional issues.
• Knowledge of regional regulatory, legal, tax, import/export requirements.
• Must have experience in successfully leading strategy development and implementation of strategic plans.
• Knowledge of sourcing and procurement lifecycle and excellent negotiation skills.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite.

Considered A Plus:

• Advanced degree in above disciplines or MBA
• Knowledge of Lubrizol products and their key raw materials
• ERP systems experience, including SAP, Kinaxis Rapid Response,  and BOBJ
• Training in strategy development and execution
• Knowledge of sourcing and procurement lifecycle and negotiation skills

Perks and Rewards That Inspire:

• Competitive salary with performance-based bonus plans
• 401K Match plus Age Weighted Defined Contribution
• Competitive medical, dental & vision offerings
• Health Savings Account
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, Parental Leave
• Flexible work environment

Learn more at benefits.lubrizol.com!

Ready for your next career step? Apply today and let's shape the future together! 

It’s an exciting time to be part of Lubrizol. Lubrizol is not staying put. We are continually learning and evolving. Our passion delivers our success — not only for Lubrizol but for those who count on us every day: our employees, customers and communities. 

We work with a relentless commitment to operate safely and responsibly, keeping safety, sustainability, ethics, and compliance at the forefront of everything we do. The well-being of our employees, customers and communities is paramount to our culture and in the way we approach our work.

As a diverse, global team, we work together to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. We impact everyday lives through science only Lubrizol can deliver, and we never stop pushing to do it better.

One of the founding principles of The Lubrizol Corporation more than 90 years ago was treating every employee with dignity and respect. That same commitment is only stronger today. 

More than that, we are committed to providing an environment where every employee can be the best they can be, no matter their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic.