Associate Procurement Manager

Solenis is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals focused on delivering sustainable solutions for water-intensive industries, including consumer, industrial, institutional, food and beverage, and pool and spa water markets. Owned by Platinum Equity, the company's product portfolio includes a broad array of water treatment chemistries, process aids, functional additives, and cleaners and disinfectants, as well as state-of-the-art monitoring and control systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets, minimize environmental impact, and create cleaner and safer environments.

Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 69 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of over 16,100 professionals in 130 countries across six continents. Solenis is a 2024 US Best Managed Company, recognized fouryears in a row. For more information about Solenis, please visit www.solenis.com.

As Senior Procurement Buyer, Packaging NA, you will report into the Director of Packaging Procurement and will be responsible for covering various packaging categories across the organization's different business units in North America. This is a critical role on our Procurement team, with a large, complex scope of responsibilities within the category.

This role will create foundational value for all stakeholder to create a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Responsibilities will include all aspects of procurement within the packaging category. This role will work to achieve and exceed quality, cost, and service performance targets for North America operations.

This role will work with cross-functional teams in North America to create, maintain, and/or change packaging supply strategies to deliver an effective and sustainable Total Cost of Ownership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain cost models to understand cost drivers and price transparency.
• Perform tasks that support the direction of the category and drives optimization across the portfolio.
• Develop different award optimization scenarios to minimize total cost of ownership and conduct post-implementation variance analysis.
• Review contracts ensuring compliance around pricing, payment terms, volume commitments, rebates.
• Provide problem solving solutions (short term and long term) for service-related issues as needed
• Manage the supplier management process - identify, qualify, onboard, transact and collaborate with a high number of supplier and packaging categories.
• Creating and implementing procurement strategies that are innovative, cost-effective, and incorporate the growing complexities and challenges within the industry.
• Comparing proposals for price and specifications.
• Negotiating with vendors to reduce costs.
• Ability to work in fast paced high-pressure environment where change is constant and needs to be managed with internal and external customers.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in applicable field of work, e.g., Business, Supply Chain, or Engineering.
• 2-4 years of procurement experience.
• Packaging experience is essential for this role. Preferred experience with IBC totes, drums, flexible packaging, corrugate, bottles and labels.
• Must have strong analytical skills - an advanced level of proficiency in Excel and/or other data tools.
• Mathematical and reasoning skills required for proper analysis of bids, inclusive of differential pricing analysis and total cost of ownership.
• Highly proficient with Microsoft Office applications.
• SAP experience preferred.

Additional Qualifications:

• Must be able learn quickly and work in a challenging environment. The ability to multi-task with proven follow-through and adherence to changing priorities and deadlines is required.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, decision making/problem solving and influencing.
• Ability to work cross functionally with teams to balance solutions in accordance with budget, schedule and tools.
• Professional and effective facilitation skills - should be able to facilitate group discussions.
• Attention to detail - should be able to complete accurate data entry and develop accurate written materials.
• Action orientated - should be able to follow up on feedback to ensure positive outcomes.
• Collaborative team player - should be able to establish solid working relationships with stakeholders.
• Professional communication skills - should be able to communicate with peers, customers and vendors both via verbal and written communication.
• Technical communication skills - ability to effectively communicate technical concepts, findings & recommendations to all stakeholders.
• Ability to influence others to adopt new ways of thinking, change habits, increase engagement, and improve processes.

We understand that candidates will not meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you.

At Solenis, we understand that our greatest asset is our people. That is why we offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits which include medical, dental, vision & 401K, and numerous opportunities for professional growth and development. So, if you are interested in working for a world-class company and enjoy solving complex challenges, whether in the lab or the field, consider joining our team.

Solenis is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer, including Minorities / Women/ Veterans / Disabled.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Should you require assistance in applying to this opportunity, please reach out to Solenis Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@solenis.com