Category Lead

VCNA•Bridgeview, IL

1d•$86,800 - $91,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Responsible for developing and executing sourcing and category management strategies for Raw Materials, Fuels & Energy across VCNA operations in the United States and Canada. The role partners closely with business stakeholders and suppliers to ensure cost competitiveness, supply security, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement while supporting operational and financial objectives. As a key procurement business partner, this position leads supplier management, commercial negotiations, market analysis, and strategic sourcing initiatives, ensuring compliance with procurement policies and delivering sustainable value to the organization.

Requirements

Skills – Negotiation, analytics, communication, decisiveness, vision, relationship management, tech savvy, cross cultural, teamwork.
Education – Diploma or degree from accredited College or University with major in Business Administration or Engineering. Supply Chain Management, CPP, PMAC designation preferred.
Experience – Two to five years plus in Procurement & Supply Chain work experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in cement, construction or heavy industry.
Knowledge – Experience in energy and/or commodities categories such as raw materials, diesel, utilities (electricity and natural gas), and renewable energy. SAP or ERP system experience required. Experience with Coupa procurement software and PowerBI is preferred.

Nice To Haves

Supply Chain Management, CPP, PMAC designation preferred.
Experience with Coupa procurement software and PowerBI is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement category strategies Raw Materials, Fuels & Energy categories to achieve cost savings, enhance supply chain efficiency, and support sustainability goals.
Conduct market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and risks across the Raw Materials, Fuels & Energy markets.
Lead the end-to-end procurement process, including supplier selection, contract negotiation, and performance management.
Identify and leverage opportunities for bulk purchasing, long-term contracts, and other strategic sourcing initiatives.
Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure high service levels and reliability.
Facilitate supplier onboarding and maintenance activities including vendor set-up and compliance documentation.
Conduct regular performance reviews with suppliers, addressing any issues and driving continuous improvement.
Collaborate with suppliers to explore innovative solutions and advancements in performance, cost and sustainability.
Manage a total expenditure of approximately $60-70 million USD across Raw Materials, Fuels & Energy.
Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to cost savings, supplier performance, and category spend.
Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and sustainability standards.
Ensure DPO and supply chain finance targets are met in liaison with Finance.
Support and assist Operations to ensure business operates efficiently.
Work closely with internal stakeholders, including Operations, Finance, Accounts Payable, and Sustainability teams, to ensure procurement transactions are carried out accurately and efficiently.
Manage reporting of Procurement performance metrics.
Reconcile invoices to purchase order to ensure correct pricing /quantity.
Proactively communicate with staff and suppliers regarding agreements, PO's, ordering, pricing, service level compliance, policy/guidelines and resolving related purchasing issues.
Provide expertise and guidance on raw materials, diesel, utilities, and renewable energy procurement processes to support project planning and execution.