Procurement Category Manager

Stepan France location Voreppe recruits an European Procurement Direct Category Manager

Position located in – FRANCE

Paris or Voreppe (38)

Stepan Company is a global producer of specialty and intermediate chemicals used in formulations for the consumer and industrial markets. Stepan is a leader in surfactants which are key components of Household and Industrial cleaners as well as polyester polyols which are a major part of the Polyurethane industry.

Reporting to the European Direct Procurement Manager, you will be responsible for implementing the purchasing process (sourcing, selection of suppliers, negotiation, contracting, evaluating) for the categories of raw materials you will be in charge of. In this scope, you will support the Business teams, and work closely with Planning & Quality departments of our 5 sites, as well as with the R&D teams. Your annual spend is between 50 to 90MM$.

Your main missions will be :

Strategic sourcing

- Develop understanding of feedstocks and markets to identify potential new sources meeting Stepan needs, to leverage market movements to Stepan when possible, as well as to provide an aid to sales price setting where appropriate

- Create and implement category sourcing strategies aligned with Business needs, implement best practices, and drive initiatives to improve supplier quality & service levels while reducing costs

- Support the Global Sustainable Procurement program as it pertains to selected Supplier ESG regular evaluation / continuous improvement per designated third-party standard, Supplier selection and contracting, as well as business awarding

Negotiation

- Lead supplier agreement negotiations for regional categories managed, execute competitive bids and stakeholder reviews

Contract management

Monitor volume consumption, ensure that contracts are raised in consideration of expected demand

Supplier management

- Develop supplier relationship at adequate level to ensure productive collaboration and monitor their performance against Stepan expectations in terms of Safety, Environment, Quality, Security of supply, Sustainability and Regulations

Processes

- Ensure compliance with regional & global procurement processes and procedures

Educational background :

Bachelor’s degree +5 with a degree in Purchasing or Chemistry. You have at least 3 years of experience in Purchasing, preferably in chemistry and raw material processing.

You also have ability to set priorities, and to establish strategies and tactics.

You are recognized for your experience in purchasing optimization and negotiations. As a good negotiator you know how to set targets and achieve them while maintain supplier relationship in the long run ; you are persuasive in active problem solving.

You are honest, fair, rigorous, open minded, curious.

Fluent in English

Home office : up to 2 days / week - Frequent Business Trips ( appr. 25 %)