Regional Category Manager, Chemicals

Veolia Environnement SA•Houston, TX

4d•$105,000 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Regional Category Manager will be responsible for developing and implementing sourcing and procurement strategies in his/her region in alignment with the Global Category teams and Regional Business Lines. This role drives supplier performance, negotiates cost efficiencies, ensures supply continuity, and supports the company’s cost, quality, and sustainability objectives. The ideal candidate brings strong commercial acumen, deep industry knowledge in water treatment chemical markets, and strategic thinking abilities to thrive in a collaborative, matrixed, and multicultural environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering, Business, or similar field required.
A minimum of five (5) years experience in Procurement, Supply Chain function, or an equivalent function with knowledge of business strategy, procurement strategy & processes, category management and overall execution of procurement KPIs.
Experience in negotiating and managing suppliers within the Chemical industry, preferably within the water treatment industry.
Strong technical expertise and subject matter expertise in chemical sourcing.
Experience in working in different cultures and environments in a matrixed organization.
Applicants are required to be eligible to lawfully work in the U.S. immediately; employer will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work authorization (e.g. H-1B visa) for this opportunity.

Nice To Haves

MBA, Master's Degree and/or certification like CPSM, CPM, CPSCM is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead end-to-end sourcing strategies for chemical categories and key specialty and commodity raw materials.
Perform total cost of ownership (TCO) analyses and market intelligence reviews to inform procurement decisions.
Identify and qualify suppliers aligned with Veolia’s needs and environmental compliance standards.
Manage strategic supplier relationships, including performance reviews, corrective actions, and innovation partnerships.
Negotiate long-term agreements and mitigate supply risk through multi-sourcing or buffer strategies.
Collaborate with Quality, Technical, and EHS teams to ensure supplier compliance with Veolia’s specifications and safety protocols.
Partner with operations, production planning, and logistics to ensure seamless inbound supply of chemicals and raw materials.
Monitor usage trends, coordinate with inventory teams, and proactively address supply-demand imbalances.
Work closely with business lines and finance to ensure accurate price tracking and budget forecasting.
Drive year-over-year savings targets through competitive bidding, value engineering, or alternate formulations.
Lead or support cross-functional initiatives to improve procurement operations, sustainability, or product performance.
Stay ahead of market trends in water treatment and chemical supply chains, including regulatory impacts (e.g., REACH, TSCA, EPA rules).