Global Category Lead Buyer - Chemicals - Paris

Global Category Lead Buyer - Chemicals - Paris

Global Category Lead Buyer - Inorganic Chemicals

Paris Region, France

Drive Global Procurement Strategy in a Business Shaping a More Sustainable Industrial Future

We are partnering with a global industrial technology and process solutions organisation at the forefront of energy transition, circular economy initiatives, advanced materials, and environmental technologies.

As part of an ambitious procurement transformation journey, we are seeking a Global Category Lead Buyer - Inorganic Chemicals to take ownership of a strategic raw materials portfolio and play a key role in securing critical supply chains that support innovative technologies deployed worldwide.

This is a highly visible position combining procurement leadership, market intelligence, technical understanding and supplier relationship management on a global scale.

The Opportunity

You will be responsible for defining and executing sourcing strategies across a portfolio of strategic inorganic raw materials including:

• Metal salts
• Molybdenum-based materials
• Specialty inorganic chemicals
• Other technically complex raw materials

Working closely with R&D, Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing and Supply Chain teams, you will ensure long-term competitiveness, supply security, innovation and sustainability across the category.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy global category strategies for inorganic chemical and mineral-based raw materials.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier selection, contract negotiations and commercial agreements.
• Manage supplier relationships across quality, cost, innovation, sustainability and supply chain performance.
• Conduct detailed market analysis covering commodity trends, pricing mechanisms, supply-demand dynamics and geopolitical impacts.
• Monitor global markets for molybdenum, alumina, metal salts and related materials.
• Drive risk mitigation, supplier diversification and supply continuity strategies.
• Support sustainability initiatives, including carbon footprint reduction and responsible sourcing programmes.
• Collaborate with technical stakeholders to identify new materials, technologies and supplier innovation opportunities.

What We're Looking For

• 6+ years' experience in procurement of technical raw materials, chemicals, minerals, metals or advanced materials.
• Experience within sectors such as chemicals, catalysis, metallurgy, industrial materials, specialty chemicals, advanced manufacturing or process industries.
• Strong understanding of international procurement, including TCO methodologies, logistics, Incoterms and global supply markets.
• Knowledge of metal and mineral markets, pricing structures and commodity drivers.
• Excellent commercial negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Ability to operate confidently with both technical and commercial stakeholders.

Why This Role?

• Strategic global procurement responsibility.
• Exposure to highly technical and innovative products.
• Significant interaction with R&D and engineering teams.
• Opportunity to influence sustainability and decarbonisation initiatives.
• International environment with strong long‑term growth prospects.
• Visible role within a business investing heavily in innovation, technology and environmental solutions.

If you enjoy combining technical curiosity with commercial strategy and want to influence the future of industrial innovation and sustainability, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a genuine impact.