Shanghai, China Apply Now Apply until: 28 Feb 2026

Direct Category Manager

At Nouryon, our global team of Changemakers takes positive action every day, to reach higher collectively and individually. We create innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers to answer society’s needs – today and in the future.

We are looking for Direct Category Manager to join our team of Changemakers. Does that sound like you?

We are looking for team members who bring ideas forward, champion others and work together to do better. Does that sound like you?

As the Direct Category Manager, you are responsible for strategically acquiring necessary goods and services for Nouryon by sourcing, negotiating contracts, and managing supplier relationships to ensure value, quality, cost-effectiveness, and compliance while mitigating risk and supporting overall business objectives.

This position will be in Shanghai, China and report to APAC Direct Procurement Manager.

Primary Responsibilities of the Role:

Develop and implement sourcing strategies for the assigned categories to support the identified business needs in line with the Global Procurement strategy and the Strategic Sourcing Methodology.

Actively engage with key stakeholders from different Business Units to gather business requirements and specifications within the region and incorporate into sourcing strategies, supplier selections and decisions.

Monitor the external market to explore new business models and innovation, identify potential new suppliers, assess best country sourcing alternatives and industry best practices and consequently build up deep expertise around the products and services within scope.

Continuously seek out and identify ways of taking out cost (based on TCO approach) to meet individual and team targets as well as working with stakeholders to lower and optimize spending of direct material. In addition the position holder is expected to balance cost with quality improvements and supply reliability to the sites by consolidating and raising the performance of the supplier base.

Represent the Business both inside and outside Nouryon builds and maintains a network of business contacts in support of organizational objectives; conducts business in a responsible and ethical manner.
Responsible to source products for Procurement categories within the region (and potentially globally) and optimize commercial terms and total cost of ownership.

Select, drive and develop suppliers in line with organizational business requirements and track supplier performance on a continuous basis in collaboration with the tactical procurement team in the region as well as key stakeholders at the sites.

Build and maintain competitive contacts with suppliers to secure total cost of ownership solutions. Lead value engineering and other cost reduction activity both cross functionally and across businesses and sites to identity and capture synergies.

Develop plans for the short-term and long-term security of supply. Identify alternative suppliers and products for innovation, improved sustainability, cost reduction and in support of business strategy in coordination with Supply Chain and R&D.

Responsible for the collection and interpretation of market data and intelligence that impacts the categories that are under direct responsibility. Becomes the “go to” person for assigned spend within the region and stimulates cross business cooperation.

We believe you bring

At least 5 years’ procurement experience in chemical industry
Bachelor or Masters Degree in a business related area of industry

Extensive negotiation experience and ability to influence people and selling concepts and ideas

Advanced strategic thinking skills with ability to analyze data, understand interdependencies and develop strategies at a regional or global category level.

Comprehensive experience of working with international sourcing across regions in high complexity environment

Strong sense of accountability and ownership with a high level of autonomy to develop spend and cost reduction projects and execute on those together with stakeholders and other procurement members

Highly effective with stakeholder management and capability to build strong relationship internally and externally
Good presentation skills and ability to analyze data and technical requirements from different angles

Analytical mind set and problem solving skills

Proficient with MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access

Fluent in English. Additional languages are an asset.

We believe you are...

Driving for results

Aggressively pursues challenging goals and objectives; willing to put in considerable time and effort to accomplish objectives; takes a highly focused, goal driven approach toward work

Evaluating and Implementing Ideas

Defines requirements and resources needed to implement new ideas; approaches innovation with a practical, task-oriented mindset; converts ideas from general concepts into actionable plans

Acting as champion for change

Challenges the status quo; encourages people to question existing methods, practices, and assumptions; supports people in their efforts to try new things

Using Computers and Technology

Adept at using computers and other forms of technology related to his/her job; keeps up to date on technological changes; adapts work approach to keep pace with innovations in technology

Solving Complex Problems

Breaks down large problems into smaller, more manageable components; identifies key factors that influence the viability of different solutions; clarifies information needed to solve problems

Displaying Technical Expertise

Keeps his/her technical skills current; effectively applies specialized knowledge and skills to perform work tasks; understands and masters the technical skills, knowledge, and tasks associated with his/her job; shares technical expertise with others

Prioritizing and Organizing Work

Allocates time and attention based on what is the most important to achieve key goals and objectives; approaches work in an organized and systematic manner; effectively manages tasks, information, and requests.

About Nouryon

We are looking for tomorrow’s Changemakers, today.

If you are looking for your next career move, apply today and join Nouryon’s worldwide team of Changemakers in providing essential solutions that our customers use to manufacture everyday products such as personal care, cleaning, paints and coatings, agriculture and food, pharmaceuticals, and building products. Our employees are driven by the wish to make an impact and actively drive positive change. If that describes you, we will gladly make way for your ambitions. From day one we support you with your personal growth, through challenging positions and comprehensive learning and development opportunities, in a dynamic, international, diverse, and proactive working environment.

Contact

If you have any questions about the recruitment process or your application or need assistance, please contact: Recruiting.CN@Nouryon.com

#WeAreNouryon #Changemakers

We have already chosen our sourcing channels for this recruitment and kindly ask not to be contacted by any advertisement agents, recruitment agencies or staffing companies.

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