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Job Description

Reporting to the Chief Supply Chain Officer, the Director, Global Strategic Procurement - Specialties is a key leader within the Global Procurement organization, responsible for best-practice strategic management of third-party direct and indirect materials spend (~$500M/year) to support the Specialties Global Business Unit (GBU) production requirements.

Additionally, the Director will play a key role in leading supply market development in Australia, Asia Pacific, the Americas and the EU, ensuring value chain quality, security and resiliency for Albemarle operations and end customers; partnering with leaders and team members across the Global Procurement and Global Supply Chain organizations to drive and deliver on aggressive world-class procurement transformation, value delivery, and sustainability objectives for Albemarle and the Specialties GBU. He/she will ensure provision of excellent procurement service and facilitate repeatable high-quality supply market-related decisions.

What You Will Do and Value You Bring

• Lead, evaluate, and develop the six-person procurement team, prioritizing workplan execution and delivering key results.

• Plan, direct, and monitor procurement activities to meet standards for cost, quality, timing, reliability, and sustainability. Lead Specialties Procurement team in developing and executing necessary annual strategic spend, savings, service plans, supplier management and supply market development covering end-to-end fulfillment of growing Specialties direct materials and indirect materials demand across all existing and new global operating sites.

• Develop integrated strategies for all categories supporting GBU and Global Procurement objectives. Remain focused on utilizing and continuously improving end-to-end strategic procurement processes, managing multiple GBU and procurement engagements, planning and executing complex sourcing events and negotiating agreements of varying levels of complexity to ensure seamless and uninterrupted delivery of material supply while mitigating risks and delivering measurable cost savings and procurement effectiveness.

• Partner excellently with Specialties leadership, GBU and central Supply Chain, Global Procurement team members and other key internal (HR, IT, Finance, Legal, etc.) and external stakeholders at all levels (i.e. Directors, VPs, CEOs, Presidents) to understand and deliver on current and future operational priorities and requirements.

• Lead team in continually seeking to identify, tailor and adopt best practices while performing, analyzing and utilizing market research and critical internal/external data to create and sustain value, supporting repeatable high quality GBU decision making.

• Use deep experience in developing intricate negotiation strategies and assigning roles and responsibilities to team members. Utilize strategies, policies, and tools to optimize sourcing, supplier engagement, and performance.

• Process multiple, concurrent assignments requiring strong organizational, communication, project management and business transformation skills.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Conduct negotiations for major purchases within established governance structures.

• Analyze data to inform decision-making and support value chain optimization.

• Manage supply market development and continuous improvement projects.

• Develop and deliver direct and indirect materials value plans and targets.

• Report procurement strategies and performance to leadership teams.

• Track savings and procurement effectiveness, ensuring delivery of expected objectives.

Supplier Management & Market Knowledge:

• Develop expertise in Specialties materials markets and manage key supplier relationships and risks.

• Ensure risk management plans align with GBU strategies.

• Identify and develop alternative suppliers aligned with strategic plans.

Contractual Documents:

• Ensure appropriate contractual documentation for supplier relationships.

Commercial Negotiations & Sourcing Arrangements:

• Develop sourcing strategies and business cases.

• Implement sourcing strategies and provide operational support.

• Review, negotiate, and execute complex business agreements.

Internal Organization:

• Maintain relationships with key internal stakeholders.

• Address issues impacting procurement and supply chain matters.

Leadership:

• Share best procurement practices and demonstrate exemplary leadership.

• Drive challenging objectives and promote talent development.

• Foster a high-performing team culture consistent with Albemarle Core Values.

Knowledge/Abilities/Skills:

• High business acumen and ability to build partnerships.

• Deep understanding of procurement categories, data analytics, and negotiation.

• Proficiency in procurement technology platforms.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Experience in lean/six sigma methodology is a plus.

• Effective people leadership and stakeholder management.

• Coaching and mentoring teams for high performance.

• Continuous improvement mindset and ability to navigate complex environments.

• Adaptability, flexibility, and conflict resolution skills.

• Willingness to travel. (~10%)

Education/Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business or Supply Chain field; Post-Graduate qualification preferred.

• 10+ years of strategic sourcing/procurement experience in a multinational company.

• Previous category management and line management experience preferred.

Language Skills:

• Proficiency in English required; Mandarin and Spanish proficiency preferred.

This role is classified Hybrid from our Charlotte headquarters.

We are partners to one another in pioneering new ways to be better for ourselves, our teams, and our communities. When you join Albemarle, you become our most essential element and you can anticipate competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, and resources that foster your well-being and fuel your personal growth. Help us shape the future, build with purpose and grow together.