Category Manager - Pigments

The Category Manager Procurement sets the organizations’ procurement strategy for Pigments commodities within Axalta. This includes the formal development and execution of strategies using best practices associated with the formal RFP process, process improvement, negotiations, and supplier development.

As a Category Manager, you will act as the link to suppliers, translating the needs of our business in a way that encourages them to provide products of superior quality and value to enable us to reproducibly supply only excellent quality finished products to our customers. Axalta is seeking a dynamic and experienced Regional Category Manager to oversee a category within our organization. As the Regional Category Manager for Pigments, you will play a crucial role in driving growth, efficiency, and profitability by managing the sourcing, procurement, and strategic direction of additives used in our coatings products. This role offers an exciting opportunity for an individual with strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of the additives market to make a significant impact within our organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Accountable for managing direct material spend of $75-$100+ MM.
• Achieve Y-o-Y cost savings and Variable Margin Improvement (joint metrics with technology).
• Evaluate our current purchasing approaches and propose improvements where needed.
• Utilize e-technologies (i.e. RFPs, internet auctions, and online vendor management).
• Lead external pigment procurement to ensure quality on-time delivery of materials and services at a competitive cost and in compliance with all company guidelines.
• Perform market analysis, benchmark analysis, and develop “should cost” models at a commodity level.
• Manage supplier relationships and contract negotiations to identify suppliers capable of meeting product and service requirements for both current and future business needs.
• Execute agreements as the Buyer of Record.
• Lead cross-functional qualification projects for alternate or second source suppliers and technology.
• Monitor and resolve major disconnects within the order to pay process.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with both suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Lead and negotiate raw material costs for the category.
• Proven track record of successfully managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and driving cost savings.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Market analysis: stay abreast of market trends, industry developments, and regulatory changes.
• Cross-functional collaboration with all functional teams to understand product requirements, new solutions, and drive both cost and improvement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree, master’s degree a plus.
• 8-10 years of total Procurement experience including relative experience in pigments.
• Understanding of the global supply base.
• Procurement experience in pigments a plus (but not required).
• Manufacturing process & critical feedstocks.
• Experience with contracting direct with producers.
• Deep understanding of the additives market, including key suppliers, pricing dynamics, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent oral and written communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• System experience: Sales Force, Ariba (desired, not required) and SAP is required.
• Bilingual English with Spanish or Portuguese (a plus, but not required).

Key Behavioral Competencies:

• Strong problem-solving, out-of-the-box thinker, and planning capability.
• Balanced situationally deployed leadership toolbox including inspiring, uniting, developing, pacesetting, and commanding styles.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills (team player with the ability to effectively influence others to action).
• Ability to collaborate, communicate effectively across mediums, audiences, and situations.
• Unquestioned ethics and integrity including the ability to work on confidential matters.
• Able to identify and prioritize critical path issues.
• Ability to effectively influence at all levels of the organization (up, down, and laterally).

Our Company:

Axalta has remained at the forefront of the coatings industry by continually investing in innovative solutions. We engineer technologies that protect customers’ products – whether they are battling heat, light, corrosion, abrasion, moisture, or chemicals – and add dimension and beauty with colorful finishes. We have a vast and ever-evolving portfolio of brands primed to play an important part in everything from modernizing infrastructure around the world to enabling the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles.

Axalta operates its business in two segments: Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, which serve four end markets, including Refinish, Industrial, Light Vehicle, and Commercial Vehicle, across North America, EMEA, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific. Our diverse global footprint allows us to deliver solutions in over 140+ countries and coat 30 million vehicles per year. We’ve recently set an exciting 2040 carbon neutrality goal, in addition to 10 other sustainability initiatives, and we take pride in working with our customers to optimize their businesses and achieve their goals.