Regional Category Manager

Take the lead in shaping Nouryon’s regional sourcing agenda for Raw Materials . As Regional Category Manager, you will drive key commercial decisions, lead impactful negotiations, and develop strong, long-term supplier relationships with focus on specific Categories. If you enjoy strategic responsibility, working with data, and influencing senior stakeholders, this role gives you a platform to visibly contribute to our regional performance.

Our Direct Procurement team is a global group of 45 professionals managing Nouryon’s strategic raw material base — a portfolio with significant impact on our cost position, product quality, and sustainability agenda. Around 20 colleagues are based in our modern office in Amsterdam-Zuidoost, with others embedded in key regions close to our markets and suppliers. The team works closely with Manufacturing, R&D, Finance, Sustainability, and our business units to ensure reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable supply. As Regional Category Manager you will play a key role in this team, with end-to-end responsibility for both Strategic categories e.g. Sodium Silicate and Transactional Categories. These categories are directly tied to Nouryon’s core business performance in your region. You will have significant visibility and the autonomy to define and implement regional category strategies, run and optimize tenders, and build long-term supplier partnerships that directly support Nouryon’s growth and performance.

Develop and implement regional sourcing strategies and multi-year roadmaps for Sodium Silicate and Transactional Categories, balancing cost, supply security, sustainability, and innovation. Translate global category strategies into regional execution plans, ensuring alignment with regional business priorities and market conditions. Conduct regional market intelligence, cost-driver analysis, and risk assessments to identify opportunities, anticipate shifts, and secure competitive advantage. Lead regional contract and price negotiations, securing robust agreements that protect Nouryon’s supply position and deliver sustainable value. Plan, manage, and execute regional tenders, leveraging digital procurement platforms (e.g. Coupa) to drive transparency, compliance, and savings. Serve as the primary procurement contact for Business Line and functional stakeholders in your region, translating business needs into sourcing and supplier strategies. Collaborate with Operations, R&D, Supply Chain, Finance, and Quality to align specifications, optimize total cost of ownership, and support product and process improvements. Execute supplier segmentation and conduct supplier performance reviews, identifying and implementing improvement and development initiatives. Support and lead cost-out programs, value engineering initiatives, and total cost of ownership improvements that strengthen Nouryon’s margin and competitiveness in the region.

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, Chemistry, or related field. At least 5 years working experience in strategic procurement or category management, with a track record in complex commodity categories, preferably in chemical raw materials. Experience with managing strategic raw material categories at regional level and running tenders, ideally using platforms such as Coupa. Proven success managing complex, high-value regional spend portfolios, including responsibility for more than one category and/or multiple countries within a region. Solid negotiation experience with senior supplier and internal stakeholders, with the ability to align different functions and secure strong commercial outcomes. Strong strategic and analytical skills, with the ability to work with data, understand regional market dynamics, and translate insights into clear category strategies. Fluency in English, both verbal and written. Ability to work independently and proactively, managing several parallel projects and priorities across regional categories.

A natural connector who builds trusted relationships at all levels Commercially driven and outcome-focused, always connecting procurement decisions to measurable business impact Analytically sharp, able to cut through complexity and translate market data into clear strategic choices

· Knowledge of or exposure to chemical raw materials such as Sodium Silicate or related commodity markets. · Affinity with procurement systems such as SAP and Ariba, and experience with Coupa or similar tendering tools.

This is a high-impact role offering genuine strategic ownership of two significant regional categories. You will work alongside a mature and high-performing procurement team, with direct access to senior leadership, global business lines, and a supply base spanning multiple countries. Our employment package comprises : A permanent contract with a probationary period of 2 months. A gross basic annual salary including holiday allowance based on your knowledge and experience between EUR 77.000 and EUR 115.000. 25 vacation days + 10 leave days. A performance bonus based on KPI’s. An excellent pension plan with a strong contribution rate, most of which is paid by Nouryon. LifeCheck Employee Assistance Program: Free, confidential wellbeing support for you and your family. Bright, modern offices with excellent public transport connections. An attractive bike plan. A company fitness plan to stay active and healthy