Category Manager - Capital & Plant Services

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Date: Jun 30, 2026

Location: Columbia, MD, US, 21044

Company: W. R. Grace & Co.

Annual Wage Range: $120,575.20  - $165,790.90 
Other Compensation:  Eligibility for the Short-Term Incentive program and other applicable bonuses 
Benefits: U.S. Employee Benefits Summary (grace.com)

Grace, a Standard Industries company, is a leading global supplier of catalysts, engineered materials and fine chemicals. We provide innovative products, technologies and services which our customers use to manufacture everyday products like renewable fuels, pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, cosmetics, food packaging, beer, edible oils and more. Our thousands of employees help shape a better future at our global headquarters in Columbia, MD and locations worldwide.

Job Description

The Category Manager – Capital & Plant Services reports to the Director, Global Indirect Sourcing and plays a critical role within the Global Procurement Organization. This leader is accountable for developing and executing global and regional sourcing strategies that optimize total cost of ownership (TCO), enhance supply reliability, and deliver measurable productivity across capital projects and plant services.

The role oversees a $165M+ annual spend portfolio, partnering closely with Capital Projects, Engineering, and site Operations leadership, as well as external contractors and EPC firms. The plant services category includes industrial and commercial service providers spanning general contracting, electrical, mechanical, maintenance, and ISP (insulation, scaffolding, and corrosion prevention).

This position requires a strategic mindset combined with strong operational execution, enabling best-in-class supplier performance, competitive sourcing outcomes, and alignment with enterprise growth and sustainability objectives.

Please Note: the role can be located in Houston TX or Columbia MD. Relocation is available. 

Responsibilities (1 of 2)

  • Develop and execute category strategies aligned to business priorities, optimizing TCO, resilience, and supplier performance
  • Lead strategic sourcing initiatives and complex RFPs to drive competitive advantage and value creation
  • Build and sustain trusted relationships with internal stakeholders, EPCs, contractors, and site leadership
  • Drive productivity outcomes, including cost reduction, avoidance, and cash flow improvements
  • Lead complex negotiations and influence senior stakeholders across internal and supplier organizations
  • Establish and expand preferred supplier networks, improving safety, quality, and execution consistency
  • Leverage digital procurement tools (SAP Ariba, SAP Analytics Cloud, Salesforce™, AI-enabled sourcing platforms) to enhance decision-making and transparency
  • Utilize data, market intelligence, and industry insights to inform strategies and anticipate risk/opportunity
  • Ensure contract governance and compliance, including responsible sourcing and ESG considerations
  • Proactively manage supplier performance, risk mitigation, and issue resolution, escalating as needed to leadership

  • #LI -TC1  

Responsibilities (2 of 2)

Day-to-Day Impact

  • Execute sourcing events, contract negotiations, and supplier selections
  • Review and approve purchasing activities within SAP Ariba
  • Manage contract lifecycle activities (sourcing, execution, compliance)
  • Monitor supplier performance and resolve operational issues
  • Partner with sites to support project execution and service delivery

Team & Culture

You will join a high-performing, globally distributed procurement team of Category Managers and Supplier Relationship Managers. Our culture emphasizes:

  • Collaboration & Trust – Strong cross-functional alignment and shared accountability
  • Performance & Growth – Continuous development through coaching, mentorship, and stretch opportunities
  • Innovation & Insight – Data-driven decision-making and forward-thinking solutions
  • Integrity & Impact – Transparent execution with a focus on measurable business results

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Engineering, Business, Operations, or related field
  • 7–10 years of experience in global industrial or manufacturing environments
  • 5+ years in strategic sourcing for capital projects and/or with indirect categories supporting capital projects
  • Demonstrated expertise managing complex capital project contracts (EPCs, contractors)
  • Proven success delivering category strategies across multiple manufacturing sites
  • Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management capabilities
  • Demonstrated ability to lead, influence, and operate across matrixed organizations
  • Advanced negotiation, financial acumen, and commercial decision-making skills
  • Strong analytical capability, including financial modeling and large dataset analysis (Excel/pivot tables)
  • Experience with procurement and analytics platforms (SAP Ariba, SAP Analytics Cloud, Salesforce, SharePoint)

Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance and Disability
  • Grace Wellness Program
  • Flexible Workplace
  • Retirement Plans 
  • 401(k) Company Match 
  • Paid Vacation and Holidays
  • Parental Leave (salaried only)
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Company Donation Match Program

Grace is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Grace via email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Grace. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Grace as a result of the referral or through other means.


Nearest Major Market: Baltimore