Category Leader - Indirect Procurement

Sun Chemical is looking for a talented and driven Category Leader to join our Global Indirect Procurement team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced procurement professional to take ownership of global and regional sourcing strategies within key Indirect spend categories, including Facilities Management, Plant Maintenance/Equipment, and Capital Expenditure. The Category Leader will be at the forefront of developing and executing category strategies that optimize value, improve service quality, and drive meaningful cost savings across the organization.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment and is passionate about building strong supplier relationships, leading strategic sourcing initiatives, and making a real impact on the business. The Category Leader will play a key part in shaping and driving Sun Chemical's indirect procurement function.

Responsibilities

• Gathering business specifications and requirements for global needs, conducting RFXs and auctions through an e‑Sourcing platform, and providing comprehensive reporting on global status to support informed decision‑making.
• Documenting and tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to rigorously monitor supplier performance and ensure the highest standards are consistently met.
• Developing and delivering impactful PowerPoint presentations to both executive and non‑executive audiences, clearly communicating challenges, opportunities, and recommendations.
• Consolidating the supply chain to reduce complexity and streamline transactions through catalogues, master framework agreements, and other tools.
• Applying machine learning and AI tools to analyze, define, and execute category strategies that achieve the lowest total cost of ownership from suppliers and contractors.
• Facilitating procurement processes and policies to ensure alignment across regional and global teams.
• Proactively engaging in projects at the earliest stages to drive Category development, growth, and maximum business benefit.
• Executing strategic sourcing projects and supplier selection initiatives using best practices and e‑Sourcing/digital tools.
• Leading negotiations and the development of key contracts in collaboration with suppliers, legal, finance, and business stakeholders.
• Developing risk management strategies to safeguard against potential supply disruptions, including identifying alternative sourcing options.
• Leading a supplier enablement strategy to maximize spend transactions and managing key strategic supplier relationships to ensure quality, cost, delivery, and service commitments are met.
• Optimizing digital cataloguing, including Punchouts, for key procurement contracts.
• Gathering customer scorecard data and leading Supplier Executive Business Reviews to drive continuous performance improvements.

Position Requirements

• Business‑level fluency in English, both verbally and in writing.
• A Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 7 years of experience in an Indirect Procurement Category Management role.
• Hands‑on experience with SAP Ariba and other SAP tools.
• A proven track record in international procurement and sourcing, with demonstrated success leading change and cost reduction initiatives in cross‑cultural environments.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with excellent organizational, problem‑solving, and decision‑making abilities.
• A self‑motivated and proactive mindset with a talent for identifying and pursuing project opportunities.
• 3 to 5 years of experience using Microsoft Office products at a medium to expert level, including Excel, Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, and other Microsoft tools.
• Experience developing and presenting to senior level management on a routine basis.
• Excellent analytical and financial acumen, including cost modelling, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Proven strategic thinking and decision‑making abilities, with experience leading functions in a complex, matrixed environment.
• Strong influencing and change management skills, with the ability to build relationships and credibility across the organization, paired with solid internal and external negotiation skills.
• Deep sourcing and procurement proficiency, including strategic sourcing expertise and a strong understanding of sourcing methodologies and tools.

Benefits

We offer a range of market‑competitive total rewards that include merit increases, paid holidays, Paid Time Off, medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability benefits, 401(k) + match and life insurance. Eligibility of benefit timing may vary.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is Sun’s policy that applicants for employment are recruited, selected, and hired on the basis of individual merit and ability with respect to the position being filled. Sun prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law.