Procurement Category Manager

Celanese is seeking a Procurement Category Manager – Industrial Services & Projects (Manager, MRO/Indirect) experienced in developing and executing category strategies and preparing, negotiating, managing, and coordinating agreements for Industrial and Technical Services across Celanese manufacturing facilities in the Americas. This role leads supplier relationship management initiatives and collaborates with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Capital Projects, Environmental, and Functional stakeholders to deliver procurement and value creation strategies.
The Category Manager is responsible for sourcing, supplier management, contract negotiations, and commercial support for a diverse portfolio of service categories including maintenance, construction, environmental services, specialized crafts, and project-related services. The position identifies and drives continuous improvement opportunities, oversees contract implementation and supplier performance, and serves as a strategic business partner supporting both day-to-day manufacturing operations and capital investment initiatives.

This position can be located in either Pasadena, Texas or in Irving, Texas.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement category strategies for Industrial and Technical Services across the Americas region.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, competitive bidding events, and supplier negotiations for maintenance, construction, environmental, and project-related services.
• Build strong partnerships with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, EHS, and Capital Project stakeholders to understand business requirements and develop procurement solutions.
• Negotiate and administer complex service agreements, master service agreements, project contracts, and related commercial terms and conditions.
• Lead supplier relationship management activities including performance reviews, scorecards, business reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive value creation through cost optimization, process improvements, supplier innovation, and risk mitigation.
• Support capital projects by providing sourcing strategy, commercial negotiation, contract development, and supplier management expertise.
• Ensure suppliers meet safety, compliance, sustainability, and operational performance expectations.
• Identify opportunities to standardize services, leverage spend, and improve total cost of ownership across manufacturing sites.
• Resolve commercial and supplier performance issues while maintaining productive business relationships.
• Utilize procurement systems, sourcing tools, market intelligence, and data analytics to support decision-making and category management activities.
• Collaborate with Procurement leadership and category peers to support broader procurement initiatives and organizational objectives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business, Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 7–15 years of professional experience in Procurement, Supply Chain, Engineering, Construction Management, Operations, Maintenance, or related industrial fields.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, industrial, chemical, energy, or heavy industrial operations preferred.
• Experience supporting capital projects, construction projects, maintenance programs, or engineering services strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of legal, commercial, and risk management concepts within service agreements.
• Project management experience preferred.
• CPSM, CPSD, PMP, C.P.M., or similar professional certification preferred.

Preferred Category Experience

• Maintenance Services
• Mechanical, Electrical, and Instrumentation Services
• Environmental Services
• Waste Management
• Specialized Craft Services
• Industrial Construction
• Turnaround and Outage Services
• Engineering Services
• Capital Project Support Services
• Industrial Facility Services
• Technical Consulting Services

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Strategic sourcing and category management expertise.
• Strong commercial and contract negotiation skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders across multiple functions and organizational levels.
• Excellent communication and relationship management capabilities.
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across geographically dispersed manufacturing locations.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset.
• Strong financial acumen and understanding of total cost of ownership concepts.
• High ethical standards and commitment to safety, compliance, and responsible sourcing.

Key Personal Qualities

• Strategic thinker who can balance long-term value creation with day-to-day business support.
• Self-starter who thrives in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Strong collaborator capable of building credibility with technical and operational stakeholders.
• Results-oriented with a bias for action and accountability.
• Comfortable working independently while leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Naturally curious and willing to learn new categories and business processes.