Category Manager - Logistics Procurement

The Role: 

As the Category Manager – Logistics Procurement, reporting to the Sr. Category Manager - Logistics Procurement, you will develop and execute sourcing strategies for transportation, warehousing, and logistics services across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. You will manage commercial relationships with carriers, third-party logistics providers, warehouse operators, and other service partners while driving cost optimization, service reliability, risk mitigation, and supply chain resilience. Additionally, you will partner with Supply Chain, Operations, Manufacturing, Customer Service, Finance, Legal, and site logistics teams to deliver competitive, compliant, and dependable logistics solutions aligned with business objectives. 

How You Will Make an Impact:

Strategic Sourcing and Category Management

• Develop and implement category strategies for truckload, LTL, bulk liquid, rail, warehousing, terminals and 3PL services. 

• Lead RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, bid events, should-cost reviews, rate benchmarking and supplier selection processes. 

• Negotiate freight rates, accessorial schedules, fuel mechanisms, service requirements, liability provisions, payment terms and contract renewals. 

• Translate market intelligence, network requirements and business forecasts into sourcing plans and capacity strategies.

Supplier Relationship and Performance Management 

• Manage strategic relationships with trucking carriers, railroads, tank truck providers, terminal operators, 3PLs and warehouse operators. 

• Establish supplier segmentation, governance routines, scorecards and corrective-action processes. 

• Lead quarterly or periodic business reviews focused on service, cost, safety, compliance, capacity, innovation and continuous improvement.

• Coordinate supplier onboarding, qualification and performance escalation with operational and functional stakeholders.

Commercial and Financial Management 

• Deliver measurable savings, cost avoidance, working-capital improvement and total-cost-of-ownership value. 
• Manage logistics spend, budgets, forecasts, rate files and commercial assumptions. 
• Analyze freight cost drivers, including fuel, labor, equipment, capacity, tolls, port charges, detention, demurrage and cross-border costs. 
• Build executive-ready business cases for sourcing decisions, network changes and supplier transitions.

Risk Management and Business Continuity 

• Monitor supplier financial health, capacity availability, operational performance and geographic concentration risk. 
• Develop contingency plans for weather events, force majeure, strikes, border disruption, equipment shortages and regulatory changes. 
• Support business continuity planning through alternate carriers, lanes, modes, terminals, routes and inventory-positioning options. 
• Ensure sourcing decisions account for safety, legal, trade, environmental and operational requirements.

Cross-Functional Leadership 

• Partner with Logistics Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Customer Service, Finance, Legal, EHS and site teams. 
• Facilitate stakeholder alignment on specifications, service priorities, sourcing recommendations and implementation plans. 
• Support transportation network optimization, mode conversion, consolidation and warehouse strategy initiatives. 
• Communicate market conditions, risks, decisions and required actions to senior leadership.

Data Analytics and Reporting 

• Analyze transportation spend, lane data, shipment profiles, supplier performance and contract compliance. 
• Build and maintain dashboards and scorecards using Excel, Power BI, TMS and ERP data. 
• Identify savings opportunities through lane rationalization, mode optimization, bid compliance and accessorial reduction. 
• Track benefits realization and report sourcing outcomes against approved baselines. 
   

Creating Extraordinary Starts With:

• Bachelor’s degree 
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant logistics experience including operations management, planning, logistics, and procurement in a large, preferably multinational, chemical company
• Demonstrated experience with creating value and driving cost out of logistics
• Excellent knowledge of all Microsoft office tools, SAP experience is preferred
• Third Party Logistics (3PL) or transportation carrier experience preferred
   

What We Value:

We strive for all employees to nurture physical, mental and emotional health both personally and professionally. Our commitment to health and wellness centers around prevention, early detection and embracing a healthy lifestyle. Some offerings may vary by role or region, but may include:

• Physical Health benefits including competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision packages, company contribution to Health Savings Account, cash incentive for Annual Physical and reimbursement 

• Financial Wellness opportunities including company paid life insurance and disability plans, 401(k) Retirement Plan with generous company match, and certified Financial Planning & Investment services 

• Mental Health benefits including generous Paid Time Off and 10 Paid Holidays, Paid Parental Bonding Leave, and much more!