Sr. Category Manager

Senior Category Manager – Direct Materials

Tarkett North America | Corporate Sourcing

THIS IS A REMOTE ROLE.

Basic Function

The Senior Category Manager – Direct Materials is a key leadership role within Tarkett North America’s Corporate Procurement organization. This position is responsible for developing and executing commercially competitive category management and sourcing strategies across Tarkett’s North American operations, and owns Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for a portfolio of the company’s most critical direct material categories. Categories managed include PVC resin, Plasticizers, Fillers, Recycled PVC, PVB, Dispersions, and Adhesives, with potential expansion into Additives and other Chemicals based on business need and demonstrated capability.

This individual will set the strategic direction for supplier relationships across the managed portfolio, holding suppliers accountable for cost performance, quality, supply assurance, service levels, and ongoing continuous improvement. Working through cross-functional teams (CFT), the Senior Category Manager partners closely with plant leadership, R&D, Quality, Operations, Planning, Finance, and senior executives to enhance value delivery through data-driven strategies, strong governance, disciplined negotiation, and creative problem-solving.

The role leads each category through the full TCO sourcing process — from planning and strategy development through sourcing, contracting, supplier qualification, and ongoing performance management — delivering high-impact initiatives that improve operational efficiency, drive structural cost savings, and support Tarkett’s strategic and sustainability objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies for PVC, plasticizers, fillers, recycled PVC, PVB, dispersions, and adhesives that optimize cost, quality, supply assurance, risk, and sustainability performance.

• Lead the full category lifecycle using Strategic Sourcing process — from business case development and market analysis through strategy execution, contracting, and ongoing supplier management.

• Drive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by applying market intelligence, cost modeling, should-cost analysis, and competitive benchmarking.

• Build and maintain feedstock-to-material cost models (e.g., ethylene/EDC/VCM linkages for PVC; oil and oleochemical linkages for plasticizers) to validate supplier pricing and support fact-based negotiation.

• Negotiate complex supply agreements — pricing, commercial terms, volume commitments, capacity guarantees, and continuity provisions — that secure long-term value and mitigate supply risk.

• Lead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) for strategic suppliers, including joint business plans, innovation pipelines, and continuous improvement programs.

• Manage the day-to-day relationship and overall performance of managed suppliers, holding them accountable to SLAs, KPIs, and cost targets.

• Develop and manage category KPIs (cost, quality, service, delivery, safety, productivity) and supplier scorecards to ensure measurable value delivery.

• Analyze market and cost-driver dynamics — capacity, feedstock, logistics, trade policy, and regulatory shifts — to anticipate changes in raw material economics and develop mitigation strategies.

• Reduce single-source exposure through dual sourcing, qualified alternates, and regional supply options; maintain category risk assessments and business continuity plans.

• Lead cross-functional stakeholder teams (Operations, R&D, Quality, Finance, Planning, Sustainability) to align sourcing strategies with business goals and secure organizational buy-in.

• Partner with R&D and Quality on material qualification, specification changes, formulation alternatives, and new product introduction (NPI) sourcing support.

• Advance Tarkett’s circularity and sustainability objectives through recycled PVC and post-industrial/post-consumer content sourcing, supplier carbon and EPD data collection, and lower-impact material alternatives.

• Partner with Supply Chain and Planning on inventory strategy, working capital, minimum order quantities, lead times, and safety stock levels for managed categories.

• Measure and report category performance, establishing baseline benchmarks and tracking savings, price variance versus index, lead time, service level, and delivery improvements.

• Serve as a trusted advisor and communicator to executive stakeholders, translating complex business cases and market dynamics into clear, actionable recommendations.

• Maintain contract, pricing, and supplier data integrity in enterprise systems, and ensure adherence to procurement policy, internal controls, and delegation of authority.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field (MBA preferred).

• Minimum 6–10 years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement — or in Production, R&D, or Engineering with significant commercial exposure — preferably including direct materials.

• Strong understanding of TCO principles, strategic sourcing methodology, cost modeling, and contract negotiation.

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without direct authority.

• Strong communicator and collaborator with executive presence; able to build trust with senior stakeholders across the organization.

• Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

• Strong analytical capability, including Excel-based cost modeling; proficient with ERP and e-sourcing systems (e.g., SAP, Ariba, or equivalent).

• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve and develop creative, practical solutions to complex operational challenges.

• Ability to work effectively in a remote capacity with a high degree of self-direction.

• Ability to travel up to 25% to support supplier and company site operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct sourcing experience with PVC resin, plasticizers, fillers, PVB, dispersions, adhesives, additives, or specialty chemicals.

• Experience sourcing recycled or post-consumer material streams and supporting circular-economy initiatives.

• Experience in a multi-plant manufacturing environment; flooring, building products, or plastics processing industry knowledge strongly preferred.

• Expertise in category management from strategy development through execution (“cradle-to-grave”).

• Experience with index-based and formula pricing, commodity risk management, and hedging concepts.

• Knowledge of supply markets, cost drivers, and technology trends affecting direct materials.

• Strong business acumen with the ability to develop fact-based business cases and influence senior stakeholders.

• Advanced project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives concurrently.

• Skilled in the creation, negotiation, and administration of supplier contracts.

• Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement training.

• Professional certification such as CPSM, CPSD, CIPS, or C.P.M.

What We Offer

• A commitment that Safety is #1

• Competitive benefits, pay, and retirement plan options!

• Career growth, stability, and flexible work arrangements.

Responsible Manufacturing – Protecting Our Planet for the Future

• We utilize renewable energy and a closed loop recycled water process.

• We are committed to reducing greenhouse emissions and water consumption.

• We are the only flooring company recognized by the Asthma and Allergy foundation.

Who we are:

With a history of more than 140 years, Tarkett is a worldwide leader in innovative and sustainable flooring and sport surface solutions, generating turnover of €3.3 billion in 2025. The Group has close to 12,000 employees, 25 R&D centers, 8 recycling centers and 33 production sites. Tarkett creates and manufactures solutions for hospitals, schools, housing, hotels, offices, stores and sports fields, serving customers in over 100 countries. To build “The Way to Better Floors,” the Group is committed to circular economy and sustainability, in line with its Tarkett Human‐Conscious Design® approach.

Tarkett is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity in backgrounds and in experiences and promote an inclusive workplace where all employees can perform at their best.

Originally posted on Himalayas