Category Buyer- Raw Materials (University Park, IL)

Know how to turn commodity market insights into smarter purchasing decisions? We should talk. Verdant Specialty Solutions is looking for a Category Buyer – Raw Materials to support strategic sourcing and supplier management for key oleochemical and commodity chemical categories. Reporting to the Procurement Director, you'll support sourcing strategies, negotiate with suppliers, and identify opportunities to improve cost competitiveness and supply reliability.

You'll work with domestic and global suppliers and collaborate across Planning, Operations, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, and Finance to support our manufacturing operations. What You'll Own Raw material sourcing: Support the development and execution of sourcing strategies for oleochemicals and commodity chemicals that balance cost, quality, and supply reliability.

Supplier relationships: Manage supplier relationships, evaluate supplier capabilities, and support qualification and performance improvement initiatives. Supplier negotiations: Negotiate pricing and commercial terms and support contract administration and renewals to achieve competitive purchasing outcomes. Cost analysis: Analyze supplier quotations, spend data, and pricing trends while developing should-cost models and total cost of ownership (TCO) analyses.

Commodity market intelligence: Monitor global commodity markets, feedstock pricing, and palm-based value chains to identify trends, supply risks, and cost optimization opportunities. Supply continuity: Partner with internal teams and suppliers to address supply risks, improve supplier performance, and maintain reliable raw material availability.

Procurement performance: Identify cost-saving opportunities, monitor supplier performance, and support continuous improvement initiatives. Data and reporting: Use SAP and Excel to analyze spend, support forecasting, and prepare procurement reports that inform purchasing decisions.

What We're Looking For

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field. At least two years of procurement, sourcing, supply chain, or commercial experience, preferably within the chemical, oleochemical, or manufacturing industries. Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate supplier quotations, pricing trends, and procurement data.

Negotiation and supplier relationship management skills, including the ability to evaluate commercial terms and supply risks. Proficiency in Excel for spend analysis, reporting, and cost evaluation. Experience with SAP or another ERP system preferred. Knowledge of raw material procurement, logistics, inventory management, and commodity markets preferred.

Familiarity with should-cost modeling and total cost of ownership principles. Effective communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work across functions and with suppliers. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Why Verdant? You'll join a global specialty chemicals business where procurement plays an important role in cost competitiveness, supply reliability, and operational performance. This position offers the opportunity to develop commodity market expertise, build supplier relationships, and contribute to measurable improvements in procurement performance.

Ready to put your analytical skills and sourcing experience to work at Verdant? We'd love to hear from you!