Category Sourcing Manager-Pigments/ Colorants

Role & 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 AkzoNobels 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 AkzoNobels 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.

Work with:

• Regional and global colleagues.
• Functional and business leadership, such as Supply Chain, Sustainability, and R&D.
• Strategic suppliers.

Preferred candidate profile

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

Qualifications/ Education:

• Graduate in Science/Business Economics.
• Masters 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.