Direct Category Manager (Non-Resin)

Overview:

As a Direct Materials Category Manager in the Geotextile and Geomembrane Industry at SOLMAX, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing the procurement, across 7 facilities, and management of all direct materials not related to resin within our product portfolio. Role will require an understanding of market forces, cost drivers and technological trends, in specific direct material categories, that affect short- and long-term material forecasts and strategies. Categories included are: Finished/Semi-Finished goods, Additives, Colorants, Woven and Non-Woven materials and Packaging.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced professional with direct knowledge of above listed categories, who can leverage their expertise in category management, negotiation, and knowledge of the geosynthetics market to optimize our supply chain and contribute to our continued success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Category Management: Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies for direct materials, ensuring alignment with the company's objectives and targets. This role will manage the following categories: finished/semi-finished goods, woven and non-woven goods, additives/colorants, packaging

• Supplier Management: Identify, evaluate, and manage supplier relationships, fostering partnerships that drive cost efficiencies, quality improvements, and innovation.

• Negotiation: Lead negotiations to secure favorable pricing, terms, and service levels while ensuring compliance and performance standards Market Analysis: Continuously monitor industry and global trends, market conditions, and competitive landscape to make informed decisions and maintain a competitive edge.

• Cost Optimization: Implement cost reduction initiatives and value engineering programs to improve overall profitability and cost competitiveness.

• Risk Management: Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks to ensure uninterrupted material availability and minimize disruptions.

• Quality Assurance: Collaborate with quality assurance teams to maintain and improve product quality and compliance with industry standards.

• Collaboration: Partner with production, engineering, R&D, and quality teams to support innovation, product development, and operational efficiency

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field

• Minimum 5 years of direct category management experience, experience in the geotextile and geomembrane industry strongly preferred

• Proven track record of delivering significant cost savings through strategic sourcing and supplier negotiations. Strong understanding of global trade economics, commodity markets, and cost drivers.

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Advanced skills in Excel, Power BI, Tableau, and other Procurement analytics tools

• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

• A commitment to upholding ethical and professional standards.

• Experience in ERP platforms: Dynamics365, SAP, AS400 is a plus.