Senior Level Category Manager Jobs
Senior level category manager jobs put experienced professionals in charge of category strategy, supplier relationships, and the cross-functional teams that drive execution and results. Roles cover 44% remote and hybrid arrangements across Technology & Software, Energy, and Manufacturing, with employers like Amazon, Gopuff, and ABB hiring at this level now.
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INTRODUCTION
Ecolab is seeking a Global Procurement Category Manager to support our global procurement organization. Reporting to the Global Procurement Director, you will lead assigned chemical raw material categories and develop and execute global sourcing strategies that deliver business results, ensure continuity of supply, and minimize total cost of ownership. You will collaborate across regions and functions while leading global sourcing associates and regional procurement teams to advance key business priorities.
What’s in it For You:
- Lead global procurement strategies for chemical raw material categories with significant business impact.
- Collaborate with multicultural, cross-functional teams across multiple regions and time zones.
- Build strong relationships with key suppliers and internal stakeholders while identifying opportunities to create value and competitive advantage.
- Lead and develop procurement talent while driving engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Help advance portfolio optimization, supply security, digital sourcing, and other strategic global procurement initiatives.
What You Will Do:
- Develop and execute global sourcing strategies for assigned chemical raw material categories representing approximately $500M–$600M in global spend, depending on category complexity.
- Lead go-to-market activities, including RFPs, e-auctions, and negotiations, to deliver cost savings, working capital improvements, and supply security.
- Manage 2–3 global sourcing associates located across multiple regions and provide leadership to regional procurement teams of approximately 5–8 people across four primary regions.
- Set challenging goals, provide constructive feedback, enable team delivery, and establish effective governance and accountability.
- Support global strategic initiatives focused on continuous improvement in category performance.
- Partner with regional teams to drive consistent messaging, alignment, and execution against key business priorities.
- Build and maintain relationships with key suppliers, negotiate contracts, and optimize pricing and quality to create organizational value.
- Strengthen security of supply through sole-source mitigation and contingency planning.
- Partner with R&D and Procurement Business Partner teams to advance portfolio optimization and consolidation.
- Deploy spend strategies using low-cost market sourcing programs and digital tools.
- Apply knowledge of market trends and supplier portfolios to identify marketplace opportunities and innovative approaches for competitive advantage.
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, standards, and guidelines applicable to chemical categories.
- Demonstrate financial acumen and drive accountability for P&L impact and achievement of OGSM/business objectives.
- Communicate with and influence regional stakeholders to build alignment with category plans and ensure project execution.
- Champion safety and ethical business practices through personal leadership.
Position Details:
- Hybrid Role (3 days onsite at Naperville, IL)
- Open to Relocation to Naperville, IL
- Work schedule: Role requires flexibility to collaborate across multiple time zones.
- Minimum of 25% overnight travel
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Chemistry, Supply Chain, or a related field.
- 7 years of purchasing experience, preferably supporting raw materials or direct purchasing.
- Strong commercial background and demonstrated international working experience.
- Demonstrated leadership, teamwork, and project management skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to influence and persuade stakeholders.
- Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and collaborate across regions and time zones.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong financial acumen and executive communication skills.
- Demonstrated professionalism and strong presence when interacting with others.
- Demonstrated drive, tenacity, curiosity, flexibility, and focus.
- Ability to challenge the status quo and identify new possibilities and innovative solutions.
- Ability to navigate differing perspectives constructively and drive alignment.
- Commitment to continuous development and willingness to take on new responsibilities.
- Strong commitment to ethical decision-making and doing business the right way.
Annual or Hourly Compensation Range
The base salary range for this position is $133,700.00 - $200,600.00. This position is eligible for annual bonus pay based on performance, per plan terms. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining compensation, such as experience, education, training, geography, etc. We comply with all minimum wage and overtime laws.
Benefits
Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families.
If you are viewing this posting on a site other than our Ecolab Career website, view our benefits at jobs.ecolab.com/working-here.
Potential Customer Requirements Notice
To meet customer requirements and comply with local or state regulations, applicants for certain customer-facing roles may need to:
- Undergo additional background screens and/or drug/alcohol testing for customer credentialing.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Ecolab will provide reasonable accommodation (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with our application process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require accommodation assistance in this application process, please visit the Recruiting Support link in the footer of each page of our career website.
Our Commitment to a Culture of Inclusion & Belonging
At Ecolab, we believe the best teams are inclusive. We are on a journey to create a workplace where every associate can grow and achieve their best. We are committed to fair and equal treatment of associates and applicants and recruit, hire, promote, transfer and provide opportunities for advancement based on individual qualifications and job performance. In all matters affecting employment, compensation, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement, we will not discriminate against any associate or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, genetic information, marital status, age, disability, or status as a covered veteran.
In addition, we are committed to furthering the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) through Affirmative Action (AA).
We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.
INTRODUCTION
Ecolab is seeking a Global Procurement Category Manager to support our global procurement organization. Reporting to the Global Procurement Director, you will lead assigned chemical raw material categories and develop and execute global sourcing strategies that deliver business results, ensure continuity of supply, and minimize total cost of ownership. You will collaborate across regions and functions while leading global sourcing associates and regional procurement teams to advance key business priorities.
What’s in it For You:
- Lead global procurement strategies for chemical raw material categories with significant business impact.
- Collaborate with multicultural, cross-functional teams across multiple regions and time zones.
- Build strong relationships with key suppliers and internal stakeholders while identifying opportunities to create value and competitive advantage.
- Lead and develop procurement talent while driving engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Help advance portfolio optimization, supply security, digital sourcing, and other strategic global procurement initiatives.
What You Will Do:
- Develop and execute global sourcing strategies for assigned chemical raw material categories representing approximately $500M–$600M in global spend, depending on category complexity.
- Lead go-to-market activities, including RFPs, e-auctions, and negotiations, to deliver cost savings, working capital improvements, and supply security.
- Manage 2–3 global sourcing associates located across multiple regions and provide leadership to regional procurement teams of approximately 5–8 people across four primary regions.
- Set challenging goals, provide constructive feedback, enable team delivery, and establish effective governance and accountability.
- Support global strategic initiatives focused on continuous improvement in category performance.
- Partner with regional teams to drive consistent messaging, alignment, and execution against key business priorities.
- Build and maintain relationships with key suppliers, negotiate contracts, and optimize pricing and quality to create organizational value.
- Strengthen security of supply through sole-source mitigation and contingency planning.
- Partner with R&D and Procurement Business Partner teams to advance portfolio optimization and consolidation.
- Deploy spend strategies using low-cost market sourcing programs and digital tools.
- Apply knowledge of market trends and supplier portfolios to identify marketplace opportunities and innovative approaches for competitive advantage.
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, standards, and guidelines applicable to chemical categories.
- Demonstrate financial acumen and drive accountability for P&L impact and achievement of OGSM/business objectives.
- Communicate with and influence regional stakeholders to build alignment with category plans and ensure project execution.
- Champion safety and ethical business practices through personal leadership.
Position Details:
- Hybrid Role (3 days onsite at Naperville, IL)
- Open to Relocation to Naperville, IL
- Work schedule: Role requires flexibility to collaborate across multiple time zones.
- Minimum of 25% overnight travel
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Chemistry, Supply Chain, or a related field.
- 7 years of purchasing experience, preferably supporting raw materials or direct purchasing.
- Strong commercial background and demonstrated international working experience.
- Demonstrated leadership, teamwork, and project management skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to influence and persuade stakeholders.
- Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and collaborate across regions and time zones.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong financial acumen and executive communication skills.
- Demonstrated professionalism and strong presence when interacting with others.
- Demonstrated drive, tenacity, curiosity, flexibility, and focus.
- Ability to challenge the status quo and identify new possibilities and innovative solutions.
- Ability to navigate differing perspectives constructively and drive alignment.
- Commitment to continuous development and willingness to take on new responsibilities.
- Strong commitment to ethical decision-making and doing business the right way.
Annual or Hourly Compensation Range
The base salary range for this position is $133,700.00 - $200,600.00. This position is eligible for annual bonus pay based on performance, per plan terms. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining compensation, such as experience, education, training, geography, etc. We comply with all minimum wage and overtime laws.
Benefits
Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families.
If you are viewing this posting on a site other than our Ecolab Career website, view our benefits at jobs.ecolab.com/working-here.
Potential Customer Requirements Notice
To meet customer requirements and comply with local or state regulations, applicants for certain customer-facing roles may need to:
- Undergo additional background screens and/or drug/alcohol testing for customer credentialing.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Ecolab will provide reasonable accommodation (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with our application process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require accommodation assistance in this application process, please visit the Recruiting Support link in the footer of each page of our career website.
Our Commitment to a Culture of Inclusion & Belonging
At Ecolab, we believe the best teams are inclusive. We are on a journey to create a workplace where every associate can grow and achieve their best. We are committed to fair and equal treatment of associates and applicants and recruit, hire, promote, transfer and provide opportunities for advancement based on individual qualifications and job performance. In all matters affecting employment, compensation, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement, we will not discriminate against any associate or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, genetic information, marital status, age, disability, or status as a covered veteran.
In addition, we are committed to furthering the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) through Affirmative Action (AA).
We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.
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Senior Level Category Manager Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level category manager job?
Employers hiring at this level look for candidates who have owned a category end to end, managed supplier negotiations with significant spend, and led cross-functional initiatives. Demonstrating measurable outcomes, such as cost savings, contract improvements, or process efficiencies you drove, gives you a real edge. Strong candidates also show they can mentor junior team members and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
Which companies hire senior level category managers?
Companies hiring senior level category managers right now include Amazon, Gopuff, and ABB, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level tends to concentrate among large enterprises, retailers, healthcare systems, and manufacturers with complex supply chains and significant procurement spend.
Are there remote senior level category manager jobs?
Yes, though availability varies by employer and category. About 44% of senior level category manager openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting demand for experienced professionals who can manage supplier relationships and lead cross-functional work without being on-site every day. Fully on-site roles are more common in manufacturing and retail operations.
What makes a category manager role senior level?
Senior level category manager roles carry broader scope, deeper ownership, and higher organizational stakes than mid-level positions. Expectations include setting category strategy rather than executing someone else's, managing larger or more complex supplier portfolios, leading sourcing initiatives independently, and mentoring or guiding junior team members. Influence over budget decisions and cross-functional alignment at the leadership level is common.
Which industries hire the most senior level category managers?
Senior Level category manager roles concentrate in Technology & Software, Energy, and Manufacturing, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they manage large, complex procurement functions where experienced category leadership directly affects cost, quality, and supply chain resilience.