Strategic Sourcing Category Manager - Chemicals

Job Description:

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. andemploys 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 athttps://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.

Primary Responsibilities – Chemical Sub‑Category Ownership

• 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.

Key Deliverables

• Global sub‑category sourcing strategies with clear priorities.
• Defined supplier portfolios and capability maps.
• Market intelligence reports on pricing, feedstocks, regulation, and risks.
• Negotiated agreements and total cost analyses.
• Sub‑category risk assessments with mitigation plans.
• Monthly dashboards summarizing pricing and performance.

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

Compensation Information:

The compensation package for the role offers a competitive base salary ranging from $115-$135K annually.

ITW considers various factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education and training, geographic location, key skills, as well as market and business considerations.

In addition to a competitive salary, ITW employees in the U.S. are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. This package includes medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance programs. We also provide a 401k plan with both a company match and additional employer contribution, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Commuter benefits, Adoption Assistance, and Educational Assistance; Parental Leave, vacation, sick time, and 11 Paid Holidays.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.