Sr. Strategic Sourcing Manager

Arkema Inc is looking to hire a Sr Strategic Sourcing Manager for Specialty Surfactants. This position will be based out of either the North American Corporate Headquarters in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania or out of the Specialty Surfactants Headquarters in Mullberry, Florida. This position reports to the Director, Strategic Sourcing Specialties and Packaging.

The Sr Strategic Sourcing Manager is responsible for over $100M in direct material purchases. This role is responsible for formulating and executing purchasing strategies to manage risk, availability and quality of raw materials at the lowest total cost of ownership.

The Sr Strategic Sourcing Manager routinely works with regional and global business leaders, supply chain management, finance, manufacturing, engineering, R&D, and others to ensure alignment of projects/activities with Purchasing goals and objectives.

This position focuses on regional strategic procurement strategy; meeting customer requirements, market analysis, sourcing material supply, supplier negotiations, policies and procedures, cost reduction and value improvement. Position will operate in a global matrixed environment and work closely with the global management teams.

KEY ACTIVITIES:

Strategic Sourcing

• Leads/Supports the negotiation and implementation of commercial agreements and contracts catered to supply situations and ensures that they are aligned with a strategy to ensure business continuity through the agreements.
• Establishes and implements strategies for negotiating commodity purchasing agreements based on in-depth knowledge of global and domestics markets for optimum pricing and terms.
• Maintains market expertise and in-depth market analysis for assigned categories
• Forecasts raw material price evolution
• Ensures the creation and maintenance of pricing models and predictive models for feedstock and other key cost drivers for all key materials.
• Conducts comprehensive supplier analysis and screening (strategic direction, financial due diligence, market position, power within industry, capabilities & capacity, risk assessment) and develops strategies for their portfolio with key business partners.
• Maintains relationships with vendors and contractors to ensure good, reliable sources of supply and information
• Leads/Coordinates/Participates in development of global strategic sourcing strategies for designated spend categories in coordination of the Global Strategic Sourcing Team. Executes the strategies in North America.

Purchasing Liaison to North American Specialty Surfactants

• Represents Purchasing as the Primary Purchasing liaison for Specialty Surfactants in North America
• Participates in Specialty Surfactants Business Team Meetings, sharing Raw Material market insights, representing Purchasing strategies and initiatives, and providing Purchasing perspectives on Business strategies. Share key Business information within Purchasing.
• Contributes to Specialty Surfactants processes to ensure adequate raw material supply in line with Business sales and manufacturing plans.

Raw Material Project Management

• Develops and implements savings projects aligned with business strategy.
• Leads cross-functional Raw Material Risk Management teams to identify and reduce supply risk.
• Supports the development of new products through early involvement with the BU, Engineering and R&D on alternative identification and supply agreement negotiations.
• Influences key stakeholders within the BUs to secure resources in support of risk mitigation, savings projects, and sourcing strategy

Tactical Purchasing

• Follows Business spend and forecasts to ensure compliance with Global Sourcing Strategies
• Supports / Manages monthly/quarterly price negotiations as assigned to assure optimal overall global spend in alignment with global strategy
• Provides guidance and coaching to local buyers in supplier management
• Supports Working Capital initiative by working with suppliers to increase payment terms and decrease lead times. Work with Business to optimize inventory levels.
• Conducts monthly analytics on Purchase Price Variance and estimates the annual spend for each commodity within his/her responsibility and leverages these analyses in business planning, strategies and negotiations
• Resolves delivery and quality issues with suppliers

REQUIRED EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS /WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience in financial KPI and purchasing impact on financials
• Significant track record of savings achieved through innovative procurement programs and tactics
• 10 years’ experience, minimum of 5 years’ global or multi-regional experience in procurement or in business/sales required
• Broad technical expertise, business and industry knowledge, and process and people leadership capabilities
• Bachelor’s Degree required, MBA is desirable. Education and/or experience in chemistry, chemical engineering, or relevant technical equivalent is a plus