Category Manager – Performance Chemicals

Overview

As Category Manager for Performance Chemicals, you will shape the category strategy within the Electrical segment and drive enterprise value through cost, resiliency, and supplier collaboration. You will work across regions to unlock cross-business synergies and lead supplier negotiations, ensuring uninterrupted supply at competitive total cost. The role blends strategic planning with hands-on execution in a global, matrix environment and emphasizes cross-functional collaboration. You’ll engage senior leadership with market intelligence and strategic recommendations to support cost reduction and supply continuity.

Pay / Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• Flexible working solutions
• Internal promotion opportunities
• Eaton University learning and development
• Wellbeing and safety initiatives
• Sustainability focus in power management

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy the category strategy for Performance Chemicals across the Electrical business globally
• Lead enterprise-wide strategic initiatives to maximize cross-business leverage and supplier network benefits
• Negotiate and manage strategic supplier contracts to strengthen relationships
• Ensure compliance with category strategies and agreements aligned with SCM objectives
• Forecast trends, assess market drivers and risk exposure to guide sourcing decisions
• Advise leaders on optimal sourcing plans based on market intelligence and category insights
• Present procurement opportunities and strategic recommendations to senior leadership
• Lead regional teams to achieve strategic and operational SCM goals
• Identify innovative solutions through cross-functional collaboration to address business challenges
• Benchmark processes and promote best practices across Eaton’s supply chain
• Oversee supplier business reviews and annual negotiation plans for key spend areas
• Drive Global Procurement processes using Ariba RFQs, e-Auctions, should-cost analyses
• Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing facilities to ensure uninterrupted supply at favorable total costs

Key requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, or Business Administration
• Minimum 5–7 years in Supply Chain or Operations
• Minimum 3+ years as a Category Manager
• Experience purchasing chemicals preferred
• 3–5 years in global negotiations
• 5+ years accountability across multiple manufacturing facilities
• Professional SCM certification preferred
• Strong cost analysis and market benchmarking expertise
• Structured problem-solving methodologies (5 Why’s, Fishbone)
• Proven ability to lead global supplier negotiations
• Experience with cross-functional projects delivering measurable outcomes
• Experience with performance chemicals, seals/rubbers, and commodity markets is an advantage
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement across cultures
• Ability to influence in a matrix environment
• Track record of accountability and performance improvements

• Stakeholder engagement
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Negotiation and influencing without authority
• Cost analysis and should-cost modelling
• Market benchmarking
• Ariba RFQs and e-Auctions

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