Category Lead

WELCOME TO VCNA!

We are Votorantim Cimentos North America (VCNA).

As the North American operations of Votorantim Cimentos, a global building materials and sustainability solutions leader in 11 countries, we are helping to make a positive impact and are transforming our world. We have a culture built on solid partnerships, long-lasting relationships, and opportunities for those who want to learn, grow and be part of a diverse and dynamic culture.

With solutions that include cement, ready-mix concrete and aggregates, we help to build homes, highways, hospitals, buildings, bridges, and schools across the Canadian and U.S. Great Lakes region and Northeast United States. Our commitment to excellence can be seen in those who invest and believe in what we do, those who share their lives with us, those who trust in our deliveries and those committed to innovation and a sustainable future.

Every day, we have the chance to accomplish something new and you're invited to be part of it.

What Is The Opportunity?

Responsible for developing and executing sourcing and category management strategies for Raw Materials, Fuels & Energy across VCNA operations in the United States and Canada. The role partners closely with business stakeholders and suppliers to ensure cost competitiveness, supply security, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement while supporting operational and financial objectives.

As a key procurement business partner, this position leads supplier management, commercial negotiations, market analysis, and strategic sourcing initiatives, ensuring compliance with procurement policies and delivering sustainable value to the organization.

Key Job Functions

• Develop and implement category strategies Raw Materials, Fuels & Energy categories to achieve cost savings, enhance supply chain efficiency, and support sustainability goals.
• Conduct market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and risks across the Raw Materials, Fuels & Energy markets.
• Lead the end-to-end procurement process, including supplier selection,
• contract negotiation, and performance management.
• Identify and leverage opportunities for bulk purchasing, long-term contracts,
• and other strategic sourcing initiatives
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure high service levels and reliability.
• Facilitate supplier onboarding and maintenance activities including vendor set-up and compliance documentation
• Conduct regular performance reviews with suppliers, addressing any issues and driving continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with suppliers to explore innovative solutions and advancements in performance, cost and sustainability.
• Manage a total expenditure of approximately $60-70 million USD across Raw Materials, Fuels & Energy.
• Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to cost savings, supplier performance, and category spend.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and sustainability standards.
• Ensure DPO and supply chain finance targets are met in liaison with Finance.

Cross Functional Collaboration & Support

• Responsible for supporting and assisting Operations to ensure business operates efficiently.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders, including Operations, Finance, Accounts Payable, and Sustainability teams, to ensure procurement transactions are carried out accurately and efficiently.
• Manage reporting of Procurement performance metrics.
• Reconcile invoices to purchase order to ensure correct pricing /quantity.
• Proactively communicate with staff and suppliers regarding agreements, PO's, ordering, pricing, service level compliance, policy/guidelines and resolving related purchasing issues.
• Provide expertise and guidance on raw materials, diesel, utilities, and renewable energy procurement processes to support project planning and execution.

Know How

• Skills – Negotiation, analytics, communication, decisiveness, vision, relationship management, tech savvy, cross cultural, teamwork.
• Education – Diploma or degree from accredited College or University with major in Business Administration or Engineering. Supply Chain Management, CPP, PMAC designation preferred.
• Experience – Two to five years plus in Procurement & Supply Chain work experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in cement, construction or heavy industry.
• Knowledge – Experience in energy and/or commodities categories such as raw materials, diesel, utilities (electricity and natural gas), and renewable energy. SAP or ERP system experience required. Experience with Coupa procurement software and PowerBI is preferred.

What's In It For You?

• Being part of VCNA is being part of building famous landmarks such as Toronto's CN Tower, Roy Thompson Hall, Maple Leaf Gardens and the Darlington Nuclear Station and Ryerson Centre, St. Regis Chicago and 150 N. Riverside, Louis High-Speed Rail in Chicago and more
• Opportunities to collaborate with teams around the globe and growth opportunities in different areas
• Training, professional development
• Tuition reimbursement/assistance
• Competitive wages, vacation and holiday time
• Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): confidential support for you and your family
• Paid Maternity Leave up to 18 weeks
• Hybrid work model for certain positions

Salary Range: $86,800 - $91,000

OUR PEOPLE

We care about people - all people. At VCNA, we take safety, health and wellness seriously. We're dedicated to giving our employees a safe workplace, our neighbors a safe environment and our customers a high-quality and safe product. Safety first -and always!

Our VC Way reflects who we are, inspiring us to unite our culture and be our best: Our Way of Being: ethical and respectful, Our Way of Working: together with excellence and Our Way of Thriving: with the courage to transform.

INCLUSION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT