Category Manager - Minerals and Pigments

Since 1792, we ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon is trusted by customers around the globe. We re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It s what you d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today while creating an even better tomorrow. Let s paint the future together.

As the Category Sourcing Manager for South East and South Asia, for the Minerals + Pigments & Colorants category, the role encompasses the following responsibilities:

• Leadership & Strategic Direction:

  Provide strategic direction and leadership to category sourcing for Global/SESA.

• Strategy Deployment:

  Define and deploy strategy for managing global/regional spend of the category, driving year-on-year value and benefits.

• Stakeholder Collaboration:

  Work with key internal stakeholders including cross-business units, R&D, and other category leads.

• Supplier Management:

  Own and drive strategic supplier management with all the regional vendors and own select/agreed global vendors

• Alignment with Corporate Goals:

  Steer category strategy and execution aligned with AkzoNobel s corporate goals on sustainability.

• Develop and deploy global and regional sourcing strategy for the category and relevant sub-categories.
• Lead and manage strategic supplier management regionally & globally.
• Influence internal stakeholders and business teams strategically on a global & regional scale.
• Exhibit leadership behaviors to both the category team and suppliers.
• Lead and deliver regional and global projects specifics to category.
• Implement strategic cost management through e-tenders, negotiation, and contract management.
• Ensure year-on-year value creation in line with company and functional goals.
• Collaborate with the Technical Category Lead to develop a technical roadmap, including critical projects and initiatives.
• Build and sustain a vendor base encompassing current and prospective vendors.
• Contribute proactively to AkzoNobel s Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi).
• Develop alternate raw materials with the Business Unit Technical Lead, mitigating single/sole source material risks.
• Demonstrate high levels of global collaboration and cooperation.

Requirements for Job (education or experience required to be able to perform this job):

Qualifications/ Education:

• Graduate in Science/Business Economics.
• Master s in Business Administration or Supply Chain preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in a strategic sourcing role with similar complexity, spend size, and geography.
• Excellent communication skills in English.
• Proven experience in global or regional sourcing roles, change management, and leading strategic projects.
• Superior influencing skills.

General skills:

Functional Skills

• Strategic sourcing, category management, advanced negotiation skills, contract management.
• Knowledge of the global and regional paints & coatings industry and preferred knowledge of pigments/minerals categories.
• Proficiency in multiple data platforms such as SAP and BI.
• Strong analytical skills: highly numerate, structured, and accurate.
• Capable of performing, understanding, and presenting detailed information analysis and evaluation.
• Flexible, agile, and stress-resistant.
• Fluent in English.
• Hands-on experience with international business culture.

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.