Strategic Sourcing Category Manager - Chemicals

ITW•Glenview, IL

1d•$115 - $135•Onsite

About The Position

Since its founding more than 100 years ago, ITW has become one of the world’s leading diversified manufacturers of specialized industrial equipment, consumables, and related service businesses. We place a high premium on developing innovative solutions–most of which are developed in tandem with our customers. And we continue to ensure that our customers receive timely, cost-effective service for our innovative products. ITW’s differentiated business model comprises unique core capabilities: our proprietary 80/20 business process, customer-back innovation, and our well-known decentralized entrepreneurial culture. These capabilities are unmistakably ITW—and key to our longevity and strong performance. ITW’s products and solutions are at work all over the world, in deep-sea oil rigs, aerospace technology, bridges and wind turbines, healthcare, the spaces in which we live and work, the cars we drive, and the mobile devices we rely on. We are never, whether we know it or not, more than a few steps from an innovative ITW solution. ITW (NYSE: ITW) is a Fortune 300 global multi-industry manufacturing leader with revenue of $15.9 billion in 2024. and employs ~44,000 people operating in 51 countries. Our headquarters are in Glenview, IL. include a fitness center at no cost to the employees, a cafe, outdoor volleyball courts, walking trails around the facility, employee resource groups, corporate discounts, dry cleaning services, covered/outdoor parking, and much more. We are just a block away from the nearest Metra station, and it is a quick 20-minute train ride to downtown Chicago, museums, lakefront, and other activities. More details on our benefits can be found on our website at https://www.itw.com/careers/benefits-compensation/ The Strategic Sourcing Category Manager - Chemicals is responsible for developing and executing global sourcing strategies for assigned chemical sub‑categories, ensuring continuity of supply, optimized cost structures, and strong supplier partnerships. This role owns the sourcing roadmap for specific chemical families and collaborates closely with business units, R&D, operations, and quality to drive enterprise‑wide value.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree specifically in Supply Chain, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or Polymer Science is required.
5+ years of experience in chemicals, specifically in sourcing, procurement, category management, or another chemical-based technical role.
Strong understanding of chemical raw materials, intermediates, polymers, and formulation components.
Ability to work 5 days in the office at the Glenview corporate campus, with flexibility in hours.
Ability to interpret chemical market data into a strategy.
Strong negotiation and communication skills.
Advanced analytical capabilities (Excel, Power BI).
Ability to influence across global teams.
Ability to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally.
The ITW corporate Strategic Sourcing Team is not currently hiring candidates who now or in the future require sponsorship to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

Experience in supplier negotiations, category strategy, and cost modeling preferred.

Responsibilities

Own global strategy for assigned chemical sub‑categories, including spend baselines, supplier portfolios, sourcing roadmaps, and performance objectives.
Segment and prioritize sub‑categories based on criticality, risk, regulatory exposure, sustainability impact, and innovation potential.
Conduct deep market research for each sub‑category, including feedstock dynamics, production routes, cost drivers, global capacity shifts, and supply risks.
Identify, qualify, and develop suppliers within assigned sub‑categories, ensuring alignment with performance, quality, compliance, and innovation needs.
Lead global RFQs and bidding events for sub‑category materials, including developing bid packages, evaluation frameworks, and award recommendations.
Negotiate commercial agreements for key sub‑category materials, ensuring competitive pricing, supply assurance, and contractual compliance.
Build and maintain cost models for primary chemicals.
Lead supply risk assessments for assigned sub‑categories.
Partner with R&D and business units to identify substitution, reformulation, and innovation opportunities.
Support sustainability, supplier diversity, and responsible sourcing initiatives.