Position: Direct Materials Sourcing Manager

Milliken & Company, an innovation company that has been exploring, discovering, and creating ways to enhance people’s lives since 1865. With expertise across a breadth of disciplines including specialty chemical, floor covering, and performance materials, we work around the world to add value to people’s lives, improve health and safety, and make the world more sustainable. We have a global presence with 42 manufacturing facilities located in the U.S., U.K., Belgium, France and China. In addition, sales and service operations are located throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Position Summary:
The Direct Materials Sourcing Manager directly reports to the Senior Director of Sourcing for the Chemical Division. You will be responsible for managing the contract manufacturing and sourcing strategy for direct materials in support of Milliken’s Performance Colorants and Ingredients Business. Expectations are to continuously deliver value to the business via strategic sourcing, cost reduction, supplier performance management, supply market monitoring and risk management. This position requires a deep background in organic chemistry, experience with pigments and dyes, the ability to work effectively with senior leadership of key suppliers, and close collaboration with our R&D and business leaders in the Chemical division. This position is located at our Corporate Headquarters in Spartanburg, SC.

Key Responsibilities:
• Collaborate with the Performance Colorants and Ingredients Business (PC&I) leadership team to support the growth and objectives of the business.
• Develop and execute the global supply strategy to meet the needs of the PC&I Business
• Develop and foster key strategic relationships between Milliken and our supply partners for the PC&I business
• Ensure the availability of raw materials
• Develop and execute risk mitigation strategies (e.g. second sources, supply agreements)
• Collaborate with R&D, pilot plant and manufacturing to properly qualify alternative suppliers
• Interact with R&D to source raw materials to support the innovation and scale-up of new products
• Own negotiation of contracts and supply agreements
• Establish contract manufacturing agreements with toll manufacturers
• Support PC&I Business to meet financial targets to the Division through cost reductions and cost avoidance
• Seek continuous improvement in cost by working with procurement team members
• Monitor and improve the performance of your key suppliers (e.g. quality of materials, delivery, claims)
• Communicate as necessary with key stake holders in the Business and Division
• Support the continuous improvement of Procurement processes in the Division
• Mentor and develop other team members

Required Keys for Success:
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Track record of meeting or exceeding commitments
• Project management skills with the ability to influence and facilitate cross-functional teams
• A strong business partner - keen understanding of business needs, ability to establish trust and instill confidence with internal stakeholders
• Experience with commercial product development teams
• Bias for continuous improvement.
• Ability to facilitate collaboration and drive improvements in the procurement process
• Excellent analytical skills. Proficient in data analysis and presentation

Qualifications:
• Bachelor of Science degree (or higher) in related field: Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
• 3+ years of specialty organic chemical sourcing experience
• 2+ years of direct organic chemical synthesis in R&D or manufacturing
2 of 2 5/1/2020
• International travel and experience working with companies in all regions of the world
• Understanding of pigments and dyes
• Experience with contract manufacturing
• Experience with commercial product development teams
• Ability to travel domestic and internationally 40-60% of the time

Preferred:
• Experience with SAP, online tools and analytics
• Understanding of pigments and dyes