Regional Category Manager – Customer Equipment

Role Overview

• Develop and implement a comprehensive regional category strategy in conjunction with the global strategy for customer equipment that aligns with corporate goals and supports growth.
• Lead regional strategy development, including segmentation, total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis, market intelligence, and supplier landscape assessment.
• Take responsibility for driving measurable category KPIs, ensuring performance tracking and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key suppliers of customer equipment.
• Drive robust commercial negotiations, develop long-term agreements, and ensure contractual compliance and performance.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers based on safety standards, quality, capability, and innovation.
• Partner closely and work together with Engineering & Technical Services, Sales, Operations, Quality, and Regulatory teams to ensure equipment solutions meet customer requirements and internal standards.
• Act as the primary interface between Procurement and internal stakeholders for category requirements, project support, and execution.
• Lead regional sourcing initiatives, including RFPs, RFQs, bid analysis, and award recommendations.
• Implement category sourcing plans that balance regional leverage with local execution where necessary.
• Support business units in resolving supply, delivery, and quality issues related to equipment.
• Manage supply risk through diversification, contingency planning, and robust supplier performance metrics.
• Ensure supplier and equipment compliance with relevant industry standards, safety regulations, and internal policies.
• Promote and embed sustainability criteria in sourcing decisions.
• Deliver measurable cost savings and value capture through strategic sourcing, standardization, and process improvements.
• Benchmark category spend and pricing to drive best-in-class commercial outcomes.
• Lead, mentor, and develop regional sourcing professionals.
• Champion a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, accountability, and results.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related discipline; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of procurement/sourcing experience, with at least 4 years in regional category leadership roles.
• Experience in the chemicals, industrial equipment, or related technical industries.
• Proven success in strategic sourcing, supplier development, and complex negotiations.
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking.
• Excellent negotiation and contract management skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a matrixed organization.
• Data-driven mindset with capability in analytics, forecasting, and spend management tools.
• Flexibility to travel as needed.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision & 401K
• Numerous opportunities for professional growth and development