About this role
Key Responsibilities
Procurement Strategy Deployment and Execution
• Execute defined elements of the direct category management strategy across assigned materials, suppliers, or spend segments.
• Lead low to moderate sourcing support activities, supplier communications, and pricing reviews within defined guardrails.
• Support development and execution of sourcing plans for assigned suppliers or materials in alignment with supply planning, material requirements, and business priorities.
• Ensure procurement activities for assigned suppliers are aligned with MRP, supply plans, and inventory strategies established by Supply Chain.
• Monitor raw material market trends, supplier developments, and pricing changes relevant to assigned materials and suppliers.
• Partner with Procurement Operations to ensure supplier data and supporting processes enable effective execution.
• Partner with Procurement Excellence to ensure supplier and material data are accurate and complete.
Drive Success
• Execute defined category activities by coordinating with suppliers and internal stakeholders on sourcing, supply, and commercial matters within assigned scope.
• Understand raw material cost drivers, including feedstock trends, index movements, freight, duties, FX, and supplier margin structures, to support fact-based negotiation and cost management of the category that you managed
• Partner with Supply Chain to align procurement activities for assigned suppliers with demand forecasts, production plans, and inventory strategies.
• Collaborate with R&D and Product Management to ensure supplier activity aligns with material specifications and product requirements.
• Support identification of cost, service, and supplier performance improvement opportunities.
• Escalate supply constraints, supplier issues, or data inconsistencies as appropriate.
• Assist new business (Concept to Commercialization – C2C and First Manufacturing Batch - FMB) and existing business continuity by proactively addressing supply risks, constraints, and disruptions.
Supplier Relationship Management
• Support management of assigned supplier relationships within the direct category portfolio, maintaining regular engagement and follow-up.
• Execute supplier relationship management routines for assigned suppliers, including meeting cadence, action tracking, and performance follow-up.
• Lead or support supplier business reviews for assigned suppliers, focusing on service, quality, cost, responsiveness, and capacity.
• Serve as relationship owner for assigned suppliers within the direct category portfolio, on day-to-day supplier engagement activities, including information gathering, meeting coordination, and performance follow-up.
• Maintain accurate records of supplier communications, commitments, and performance observations.
• Lead or support supplier business reviews by preparing data, materials, and follow-up tracking.
• Ensure supplier interactions align with procurement standards and category objectives
Supplier Risk & Performance Management
• Actively participate in supplier performance reviews, corrective action tracking, and remediation planning for assigned suppliers.
• Partner with Supplier Risk and Performance Management to ensure consistent application of supplier qualification, segmentation, performance measurement, and remediation processes.
• Monitor supplier performance, service levels, and emerging risk indicators for assigned suppliers.
• Lead or support supplier audits, corrective action plans, and follow-through activities for assigned suppliers.
• Balance supplier decisions across cost, service, and risk within delegated authority and exercise greater judgment before escalating issues that exceed established thresholds.
High-Performing Procurement Organization
• Maintain strong process discipline and support compliance with procurement policies, supplier standards, and master data requirements.
• Support preparation of reports, analyses, and category documentation.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of procurement processes, supplier engagement routines, and data quality.
• Build capability in sourcing, supplier management, and category support through active participation and development.
Critical Competencies
• Hands-On Execution – Ability to personally support sourcing, supplier engagement, and commercial follow-up activities.
• Supplier Relationship Management – Ability to effectively support assigned supplier relationships and performance routines.
• Commercial Awareness – Ability to interpret pricing, support negotiations, and identify basic cost and value opportunities.
• Supply Chain and Operational Awareness – Ability to align procurement activities with production, planning, and inventory requirements.
• Analytical and Data-Driven Decision Making – Ability to analyze supplier performance, material trends, and spend information to support decisions.
• Risk Awareness and Escalation Judgment – Ability to identify and escalate emerging supplier and supply continuity risks.
• Process Discipline and Continuous Improvement – Ability to operate within structured procurement processes and improve execution quality.
Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Chemistry, Business, or a related field required.
• 3–6+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, supply chain, or supplier management within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting sourcing activities, supplier engagement, and performance management.
• Experience working with direct materials, raw materials, or manufacturing-related categories preferred.
• Experience working with Supply Chain, production planning, or operations teams preferred.
• Familiarity with procurement systems, ERP platforms, supplier performance reporting, and supplier data management.
• Strong analytical capability and ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
Work Hours
Michelman's standard work hours for this role are Monday – Friday from 8 am – 5 pm EST but this is responsible for global operations the ability to support global teams will require the associate to work outside of these normal working hours from time to time.
Note: The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the job. They are not construed to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
About Michelman
Michelman is proud of the values-focused work environment that we have crafted. We pride ourselves in our focus on our values of integrity, respect, and success. With our dedication to your technical and professional growth in addition to our rigorous onboarding experience, we guarantee that you will find yourself challenged in new ways. We offer an excellent salary, incentive, and benefits package in a dynamic, empowered team environment.
No phone calls, please. Michelman does not hire individuals who use tobacco products. All candidates will receive a drug test prior to beginning employment which will include a test for tobacco products.
For more information about Michelman, please visit https://www.michelman.com/.
It is Michelman, Inc. policy to seek and employ qualified persons in all jobs in a manner which will ensure equal employment opportunity as well as administer personnel actions in a manner as to not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Michelman is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans