Global Category Manager

Accountability
Manage Strategic Sourcing activities and overall supplier relationship for commodities designated to support LSS operation and related business growth in APAC, cooperate with global procurement counter-partners and related business partners to explore global sourcing / arbitrage opportunities to improve bottom-line globally. Develop and optimize Global Category Strategy for Organic Intermediates Others, work closely with and support regional category manager execute the Global Category Strategy in the regions worldwide.

Responsibilities

• Category Strategy development & execution

• Work very closely and align with LSS business to fully understand business / product strategy & plan;

• Deeply understand the value chain and supply market of the commodities designated, for instance, C3 chain & derivatives (alcohol, acrylic acid, acrylates), MMA, Styrene, DADMAC, develop sound commodity sourcing strategies to support business / product strategy;
• Work with external business partners very closely and monitor the supply market dynamics, report RM intelligence to business and adjust commodity strategy accordingly timely
• Work with planning and plant to execute the strategy developed, evaluate the effectiveness, and optimize it as needed continuously.

• Analyze and optimize long tail materials / ingredients sourcing strategies to reduce complexity and total cost.

• Supplier Performance & Relationship Management

• Own overall supplier relationships and manage supplier performance to hit LSS requirements / standards including but not limited to Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost.

• Lead supplier site audit and annual evaluation to key suppliers identified, engage suppliers CI (Continuous Improvement) activities to support LSS operational excellence and business growth.

• Analyze and monitor the potential conflict of interests, escalate the risks observed to LSS management to evaluate further as needed.

• Strategic Cost and Spending Management

• Total Cost Owner of the commodities designated

• Establish Should-Cost model for the key commodity designated, optimize LSS cost negotiation strategy.
• Identify Cost-saving opportunities and execute the Cost-saving projects identified, to deliver at least 3% reduction annually.

• Negotiate with suppliers for raw materials and ensure pricing maintained timely and data integrity in SAP

• Strategic Sourcing & global arbitrage

• Understand business requirements, collaborate with technical colleagues to source new raw materials to support NPD project and localization projects

• Work with global counter-partners to develop low cost sources for global arbitrage opportunities

• Own RMWF process for new supplier / raw material onboard within LZM

• Contract Negotiation & Management

• Develop appropriate negotiation strategy and lead contract negotiations with suppliers

• Cooperate with global category manager for global contract negotiation and execution in region if any

• Contract lifecycle management (plan, negotiate, signature, renew / terminate) for designated commodities

• Operational Excellence

• Collaborate with Plant QA, EHS, and PSCT teams to proactively gather and maintain supplier and material documentation, ensuring compliance with Lubrizol standards and regulatory requirements.

• Partner with Plant QA to ensure supplier responsiveness to quality issues, including the development and implementation of corrective action plans to resolve complaints (SCAR).
• Facilitate supplier cooperation during Quality System and Customer Audits, such as RSPO, HALAL, ISCC+, and other relevant certifications.

Requirements – Education, Experience, Skills
Education & Professional Background:

• 4 years university education, Bachelor degree or above, majored in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, International Trade, Supply Management or Business Administration.
• At least 5 year experience in direct material sourcing & procurement organization or commercial functions of MNC, preferred in Chemical industry, CPSM is ideal but not required.
• Global sourcing, Low cost country sourcing, and global arbitrage experience is preferred but not mandatory.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong communication skills, both in Chinese and English, cross-culture experience will be plus
• Business acumen is essential to the success of the position
• Basic concept / experience of SAP/ERP is basic for daily ops
• Project Management
• Strategic thinker and strong analytical capability is expected
• Result driven, self-motivated, good team player, building relationship with key internal & external stakeholders