Category Manager - Direct Sourcing (Metals & Derivatives)

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Date: Oct 28, 2025

Location: Columbia, MD, US, 21044

Company: W. R. Grace & Co.

Annual Wage Range: $103,975.20  - $142,965.90 
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 – Metals & Derivatives is a key member of the Global Procurement Organization, responsible for developing and executing global and regional sourcing strategies for key metals and metal compounds, including Aluminum and its derivatives. This role manages a portfolio with an annual spend of $180M and partners closely with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to deliver productivity, supply reliability, and risk mitigation.The Category Manager supports Grace’s three business units and 20+ manufacturing sites, driving productivity, supply reliability, and risk mitigation.

 

The Category Manager is part of a broader team of Category Managers and Senior Supplier Relationship Managers located across major global regions. The Global Procurement Organization team culture is built on:

  • Collaboration & Trust: We foster open communication, shared accountability, and strong cross-functional partnerships.
  • Performance & Growth: We support professional development through mentorship, coaching, and stretch assignments.
  • Innovation & Insight: We value data-driven decision-making and encourage diverse perspectives to solve complex challenges.
  • Integrity & Impact: We operate with transparency and a commitment to delivering measurable results.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement category strategies to optimize total cost of ownership (TCO) and ensure supply reliability.
  • Lead strategic sourcing initiatives and guide execution through regional Sr. Supplier Relationship Managers.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
  • Drive productivity through cost reduction, cost avoidance, and cash preservation.
  • Lead complex negotiations and influence senior leadership across supplier and internal teams.
  • Oversee responsible sourcing compliance across the global procurement organization.
  • Collaborate with third-party sustainability partners to ensure supply chain due diligence.
  • Utilize SAP Ariba, Analytics Cloud, and Salesforce to manage contracts, track performance, and share insights.
  • Support issue resolution and escalation for suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in operations, supply chain management, business, engineering, or science.
  • 7+ years of experience in global industrial/manufacturing environments, with 5+ years in strategic sourcing.
  • Expertise in sourcing raw materials, metals, derivatives, and/or specialty or commodity chemicals.
  • Successful experience developing and executing category strategies across multiple manufacturing sites.
  • Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
  • Demonstrated business acumen and experience in complex, multi-level negotiations.
  • Proficiency in financial modeling, data analysis (pivot tables, large datasets), and enterprise systems (SAP Ariba, 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
  • U.S. Employee Benefits Summary (grace.com)

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