Category Manager

Ascend Performance Materials•Houston, TX

3d•Remote

About The Position

Ascend Performance Materials is seeking a Category Manager – Direct Materials for its Procurement organization, based in the Greater Houston area. This role will develop and execute sourcing strategies for direct material categories that support global manufacturing operations. Key responsibilities include the commercial management of third-party manufacturing (tolling), catalysts, specialty chemicals, and other assigned direct materials. The position is primarily remote, with occasional travel to the Houston Corporate Office and regional manufacturing facilities. The Category Manager will drive category management across multiple manufacturing sites, lead strategic supplier relationships and contract negotiations, and collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Technology, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to enhance supply reliability, optimize total cost, and support business growth through strategic supplier partnerships.

Requirements

BS/BA degree in related technical field
Minimum 8 years of experience in Procurement or Engineering with a background in strategic purchasing of services and materials
Knowledge of procurement systems and purchasing policies, procedures, and laws
Experience working in an ERP environment
Must exhibit strong communication, analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills
Strong negotiation skills
Category strategy development expertise
Demonstrated ability to prioritize work and manage multiple priorities
Ability to drive complex projects to completion within a short period of time
Ability to establish effective working relationships at all levels of the business
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Attention to detail with ability to learn quickly
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment - Should be able to multi-task with proven follow-through and adherence to changing priorities and deadlines

Nice To Haves

Preferred experience in one or more of the following: chemical or petrochemical manufacturing, toll or contract manufacturing, catalysts, raw materials procurement, or polymer/performance materials industries
GEP and SAP experience preferred

Responsibilities

Develop and implement sourcing strategies for assigned direct material categories including toll manufacturing, catalysts, and other raw materials.
Lead commercial management of third-party manufacturing (tolling) partners including supplier selection, onboarding, contract negotiations, and performance management.
Negotiate manufacturing service agreements, supply agreements, and other commercial contracts supporting assigned categories.
Partner with Manufacturing, Technology, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to qualify suppliers, commercialize new products, and support strategic manufacturing initiatives.
Develop key strategic supplier relationships and function effectively as the primary communication point between internal stakeholders and strategic suppliers.
Negotiate contracts to support category strategies with focus on price competitiveness, cash flow, reliability, sustainability, and risk mitigation.
Execute enterprise wide strategic RFQs.
Assess and deliver on opportunities to support the company’s sustainability goals.
Achieve productivity metrics to exceed the annual business plan.
Support Supplier Quality Management program, identify and implement key supplier metrics to monitor, measure, and improve supplier performance.
Ensure standards for ethical conduct are in place and are being adhered to.