Category Manager

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Job Description

[Albemarle] is hiring for a [Regional Category Manager, MRO]. This position is [hybrid and located in [Shanghai].

What You Will Do

• Job/Position Description:

  The Regional Category Manager will work closely with the Global Category Managers, Procurement Analysts to develop and expand complex category strategies at regional level and to ensure the strategies are aligned to the overall business strategies. The role will be focused on cultivating relationships, understanding business goals, and helping to execute category strategies to streamline the purchasing process and maximize value delivery to the business. This role is accountable for supplier performance to ensure cost competitiveness, high service level commitment, value creation, partnership, responsible sourcing, sustainability, and innovation. The Regional Category Manager will provide leadership and expectations for the Procurement analyst and drive best practices in category management, supplier relationship management, and performance management to the regional teams. This role will also be responsible for assisting the regional teams to execute large and complex procurement projects.

  Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for setting the strategic direction around Category Management of associated indirect categories throughout Asia Pacific. This involves the strategic sourcing and market analysis of categories.
• Develop and drive purchasing strategies across the regional sites to improve efficiency and effectiveness, including initiatives to leverage or centralize category management, transactional support and cost reduction initiatives.
• Develop and leverage preferred procurement tools and practices regionally including purchase-to-pay channel strategies that are aligned with the risk profile of the involved categories.
• Effectively develops the supplier base and manages supply chain partner performance and relationships, POV of regional market, price drivers, supplier options.
• Implement global category strategies and activities, and leverage cost reduction programs & ideas in the region.
• Lead implementation of global category spec changes, drive category trials at site level and coordinate tests with logistics.
• Leverage strategic suppliers shared across GBU, negotiate advantaged price / terms and share ownership of site level category needs w/site lead.
• Establish and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders to ensure understanding and fulfilment of their requirements.
• Ensure compliance with policies, systems and controls.
• Support and contribute to global/regional projects as required.
• Where necessary and appropriate, execute supplier performance reviews on a regular basis.
• Ongoing proactive monitoring of suppliers regarding operation and financial status, maintenance plan and credit capability, supplier performance collection and evaluation.

What You Bring

Required:

• 5 years + of strategic sourcing/category management and procurement showing increasing growth and responsibilities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, partnering, and ability to influence.
• Creative thinking and strategic agility/perspective.
• Excellent data analysis skills.
• Experience understanding category management frameworks and supplier relationship management.
• Interpersonal skills and ability to partner with stakeholders and multiple functional groups on projects/programs.
• High learning agility, change agility, people agility, and results agility.
• Dealing with Ambiguity.
• Negotiation and conflict management skills.
• Effective oral and written communications as well as conflict management.
• Chinese and English – Proficient to conduct external and internal business.

Preferred:

• Extensive knowledge with Excel, PowerPoint, PowerBI and other advanced analytical tools; experience preferred in procurement platforms (Ariba, SAP).
• Familiarity with sourcing events and savings methodologies preferred.
• Experience in Procurement spend data management and sourcing/contracting tools a plus.
• Lean and Change Management experience.

Benefits of Joining Albemarle

• Competitive compensation

• Comprehensive benefits package

• A diverse array of resources to support you professionally and personally.

We are partners to one another in pioneering new ways to be better for ourselves, our teams, and our communities. When you join Albemarle, you become our most essential element and you can anticipate competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, and resources that foster your well-being and fuel your personal growth. Help us shape the future, build with purpose and grow together.