Associate Procurement Manager Contract Manufacturing

Ecolab • Naperville, IL

3d

About The Position

The Associate Procurement Manager is responsible for delivering business results through sourcing and supplier management for chemical contract manufacturing and tolling partners supporting Ecolab’s Institutional portfolio. This role focuses on security of supply, total delivered cost (TDC), contract execution, and supplier performance, while partnering closely with Operations, RD&E, Quality, Planning, and other cross‑functional stakeholders. This position will report to the Procurement Manager. What you will do: Focus & Priorities for the position Develop and deploy sourcing strategies for chemical contract manufacturing and tolling partners to reduce total delivered cost, mitigate supply risk, and improve security of supply. Lead and execute RFx events, cost modeling, and total delivered cost (TDC) analysis for chemical categories and CM services. Develop, draft, negotiate, and execute commercial supply agreements, including pricing structures, MOQs, capacity commitments, indexation mechanisms, and service levels. Support contract manufacturing portfolio optimization, including make‑where decisions, dual sourcing strategies, and supplier transitions aligned with business needs. Identify, develop, and execute cost savings and value creation initiatives across raw materials, conversion costs, packaging, and working capital Stay current on chemical and petrochemical market dynamics, CM capacity trends, and regulatory considerations impacting sourcing decisions. Stakeholder/Supplier management / Collaboration Serve as the primary procurement interface for assigned chemical contract manufacturers, driving supplier performance, accountability, and continuous improvement. Partner closely with Operations, Quality, RD&E, Planning, and Logistics to support NPIs, product transfers, and scale‑up activities in regulated manufacturing environments. Lead or support alternate supplier qualification and approval efforts, ensuring milestones are met and risks are proactively managed. Monitor supplier service, quality, and reliability; lead corrective actions and performance improvement plans when performance gaps arise. Engage internal stakeholders to maintain alignment with evolving business needs, growth initiatives, and supply continuity requirements. Housekeeping/Systems Support processes critical to the efficient functioning of the procure‑to‑pay (P2P) process, including supplier onboarding and contract implementation. Leverage eProcurement, sourcing, and analytics tools (e.g., GEP, Power BI, Cirtuo, or similar platforms) to support decision‑making, performance tracking, and reporting. Drive continuous improvement in sourcing processes, tools, and ways of working to enhance efficiency and execution effectiveness.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field.
• 5 years of procurement or supply chain experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience negotiating supplier agreements and managing external suppliers.
• Strong communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Immigration sponsorship is not offered for this role.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in procurement or strategic sourcing within a manufacturing or supply‑chain‑driven organization, preferably in the chemical or petrochemical industry, including contract manufacturing or tolling models.
• Demonstrated experience with regulated products, including working within DIN, EPA, FDA, or similar regulatory frameworks and compliant manufacturing and quality systems.
• Proven experience with contract drafting, commercial negotiations, and contract execution, including pricing mechanisms, service terms, capacity commitments, and supply agreements.
• Experience managing supplier performance, continuity of supply, and risk mitigation, including supporting supplier transitions, dual sourcing strategies, or make‑where decisions.
• Strong cross‑functional execution skills, partnering effectively with Operations, Quality, RD&E, Planning, and Logistics in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Experience with eProcurement, sourcing, and analytics tools (e.g., GEP, Power BI, Cirtuo, or similar platforms).
• Demonstrated results orientation, professionalism, and strong communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and suppliers and solve complex problems in ambiguous environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy sourcing strategies for chemical contract manufacturing and tolling partners to reduce total delivered cost, mitigate supply risk, and improve security of supply.
• Lead and execute RFx events, cost modeling, and total delivered cost (TDC) analysis for chemical categories and CM services.
• Develop, draft, negotiate, and execute commercial supply agreements, including pricing structures, MOQs, capacity commitments, indexation mechanisms, and service levels.
• Support contract manufacturing portfolio optimization, including make‑where decisions, dual sourcing strategies, and supplier transitions aligned with business needs.
• Identify, develop, and execute cost savings and value creation initiatives across raw materials, conversion costs, packaging, and working capital
• Stay current on chemical and petrochemical market dynamics, CM capacity trends, and regulatory considerations impacting sourcing decisions.
• Serve as the primary procurement interface for assigned chemical contract manufacturers, driving supplier performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Partner closely with Operations, Quality, RD&E, Planning, and Logistics to support NPIs, product transfers, and scale‑up activities in regulated manufacturing environments.
• Lead or support alternate supplier qualification and approval efforts, ensuring milestones are met and risks are proactively managed.
• Monitor supplier service, quality, and reliability; lead corrective actions and performance improvement plans when performance gaps arise.
• Engage internal stakeholders to maintain alignment with evolving business needs, growth initiatives, and supply continuity requirements.
• Support processes critical to the efficient functioning of the procure‑to‑pay (P2P) process, including supplier onboarding and contract implementation.
• Leverage eProcurement, sourcing, and analytics tools (e.g., GEP, Power BI, Cirtuo, or similar platforms) to support decision‑making, performance tracking, and reporting.
• Drive continuous improvement in sourcing processes, tools, and ways of working to enhance efficiency and execution effectiveness.

Benefits

• Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families.
• Click here to see our benefits.
• If you are viewing this posting on a site other than our Ecolab Career website, view our benefits at jobs.ecolab.com/working-here.
• This position is eligible for annual bonus pay based on performance, per plan terms.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees