Direct Sourcing Category Manager

Interested in a career that matters?

Are you passionate about strategic sourcing, supplier partnerships, sustainability, and driving business value through procurement excellence? At Novonesis, our North America Procurement team plays a critical role in ensuring a secure, sustainable, and cost-effective supply of raw materials that support production across our manufacturing sites.

As a Direct Sourcing Category Manager supporting our Chemicals category, you will join a team of 10 procurement professionals responsible for sourcing and supplier management for raw materials supporting all North American production sites. Working both independently and within global category networks, you will help execute sourcing strategies that drive cost savings, mitigate risk, strengthen supply security, and advance sustainability goals across the region.

The role & your impact

This is a strategic role that combines planning, execution, stakeholder engagement, and supplier collaboration. Utilizing our PAVE (Procurement As Value Enabler) toolkit and approach, you will lead regional sourcing initiatives supporting the Chemicals category while contributing to global category strategies, helping Novonesis optimize value, reduce risk, create tangible sustainability impact and secure long-term supply continuity.

Your key responsibilities in this role

• Lead regional sourcing projects in support of the Chemicals category of medium to high complexity, including supplier negotiations, tender processes, business improvement initiatives, supply security projects, and raw material substitutions.

• Execute sourcing projects in alignment with global category strategies, partnering closely with Global Category Managers and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Manage multiple sourcing initiatives simultaneously, including onboarding new suppliers, qualifying new materials, negotiating contracts, and securing commercial agreements.

• Own the development and prioritization of the regional sourcing project pipeline, balancing cost optimization, business value, and risk mitigation opportunities.

• Proactively identify Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) improvement opportunities across commercial, specification, and process dimensions.

• Drive raw material substitution opportunities in collaboration with optimization teams and business stakeholders.

• Identify, assess, and mitigate supply, commercial, environmental, regulatory, political, and sustainability risks through proactive sourcing strategies and contingency planning.

• Support the development of alternate suppliers and resilient supply chain solutions.

• In support of our PAVE to Zero targets to reduce CO2 in scope 3 by 35% in 2030 (and target net zero by 2050) work with suppliers on carbon reduction and other high impact sustainability initiatives.

What you’ll need to be successful in this role

• Bachelor's degree, Business University Diploma (HD), Master's degree, MBA, or equivalent qualification.

• Educational background preferably in Supply Chain Management, Sourcing, International Business, Economics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Engineering, or a related field.

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in strategic sourcing or procurement.

• Strong industry experience primarily in support of sourcing chemicals raw materials, with demonstrated competency and knowledge of suppliers, inputs, and underlying market drivers

• Demonstrated experience leading sourcing projects, negotiations, and supplier management activities.

• Strong understanding of procurement processes, sourcing methodologies, and contract negotiations.

• Experience working with chemical suppliers and raw material sourcing.

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.

• Excellent stakeholder management and collaboration skills.

• Fluent English language skills, both written and verbal.

• Ability to work effectively across functions including Quality, Production, Engineering, Optimization, Regulatory, Legal, and Supply Chain.

Additional skills & interests we value

• Additional language skills.

• Experience working in global or matrix organizations.

• Understanding of sustainability considerations within procurement and supply chain management.

• Experience supporting raw material innovation, optimization, or substitution initiatives.

• Strong commercial acumen and a continuous improvement mindset.

• A collaborative, team-oriented approach combined with the ability to influence and gain commitment from stakeholders.

Working conditions

• Hybrid work model based in Franklinton, North Carolina.

• Expected on-site presence approximately three days per week, with additional site presence as business needs require.

• Collaboration with regional and global stakeholders across multiple functions and locations.

• Strategic and operational responsibilities requiring effective prioritization and project management across multiple concurrent initiatives.

Compensation & benefits

Expected base salary: $100,000 - $140,000 USD, depending on experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

Benefits you will enjoy:

• 401(k) with up to a 9% company contribution

• Minimum of 3 weeks of vacation, 12 holidays, and 2 weeks of Wellness Time

• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance

• Healthcare Savings Account (HSA) option

• Employee Assistance Program

• Parental leave

• Tuition reimbursement

• All benefits begin on your first day

Application deadline

September 11, 2026

Our purpose guides the way

In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we've gotten so far. And it’s how we'll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless. If our purpose resonates with you, we encourage you to apply.

Opportunities for everyone

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants. Therefore we ask you to apply without a cover letter or photo and instead include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.

We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Explore other openings

If this position isn’t the right fit, you may still find other opportunities with us. You’re welcome to explore open roles or create a job agent to stay connected with future opportunities at novonesis.com/Career