Category Manager

Stepan Company•Northbrook, IL

3d•$77,300 - $115,500•Hybrid

About The Position

Stepan is seeking a Category Manager to develop and implement indirect procurement strategies. The position is based at the company’s Northbrook, Illinois headquarters and reports to the Senior Category Manager II. The Category Manager develops commercial go-to-market strategies for assigned chemical, packaging, and service categories and delivers sourcing value. The role manages procurement from strategic sourcing through contracting, oversees supplier selection and performance, and works with corporate leadership and stakeholders to meet business and manufacturing needs. It also analyzes markets, costs, and supply conditions; negotiates commercial terms; and drives year-over-year value creation. A bachelor’s degree is required. The stated pay range is $77,300–$115,500. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire; visa sponsorship is unavailable.

Requirements

Exposure to category management, procurement, sourcing, or supply chain activities through education, internships, projects, or professional experience.
Strong organizational, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, with attention to detail.
Ability to analyze costs, identify savings opportunities, and support financial objectives through academic, project, internship, or professional experiences.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis and advanced functionality.
Bachelor’s degree required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with SAP ERP or similar enterprise systems.
Category direct procurement management experience, ideally in chemicals, packaging, or contract manufacturing.
Experience with sourcing strategy development, negotiation, stakeholder management, contracts management, and supplier performance management.
Strong organizational, time-management, and project-management skills, including the ability to handle multiple projects, RFXs, and contract negotiations simultaneously.
Ability to extract and analyze significant amounts of data and summarize findings or options for leadership.
Ability to collaborate across multiple teams.
Experience building partner relationships, influencing and communicating with key stakeholders, and presenting to and gaining alignment with key leaders.
A bachelor’s degree preferably in economics, business, chemical engineering, supply chain management, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute commercial go-to-market strategies for assigned chemical, packaging, and service categories to deliver sourcing value.
Manage procurement from strategic sourcing through contracting, ensuring execution aligns with category strategy.
Oversee supplier selection and management while maintaining compliance with procurement policies, including safety and environmental sustainability requirements.
Partner with corporate leadership and internal stakeholders to develop sourcing strategies for U.S. stakeholders and manufacturing locations, define requirements, and deliver procurement solutions aligned with company objectives.
Develop a deep understanding of the market and Stepan’s supply base.
Monitor and analyze purchases to optimize sourcing strategies and value.
Research markets; identify and qualify suppliers; lead bidding, negotiations, and contract development.
Work with legal to finalize contracts that meet industry regulations and legal requirements.
Manage supplier performance across cost, quality, service, delivery, and invoice resolution.
Lead RFI/RFP processes, supplier evaluation and selection, and risk-aligned contract execution.
Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, and service levels to optimize total cost of ownership.
Monitor category and supplier performance, take corrective action, and drive improvements.
Analyze industry trends, price drivers, and supply conditions to guide sourcing decisions.
Achieve year-over-year value creation, including cost savings, cost avoidance, rebates, discounts, and optimization of payment terms and inventory.
Establish and maintain vendor relationships and partnerships aligned with company values and quality standards.
Hold regular supplier business performance reviews and lead improvement actions as appropriate.