Category Manager, Sustainability & Innovation

The Category Manager is responsible for executing and promoting the corporate strategy related to supplier partnership in the sustainability, innovation, and process improvement spaces. This role will collaborate with North America business units as well as with external stakeholders in order to track sustainability data and influence and reduce emissions through initiatives around Scope 3. This critical position is in line with the corporate mission to be carbon neutral by 2050 and will work with the businesses to achieve their sustainability targets through innovation and process improvement.

The incumbent will also be responsible for purchasing-owned responsibilities for R&D-managed New Product Development activities (including legal agreements, supplier relationships, and pricing negotiations). The incumbent will communicate with other functions to support projects through the Gate process and report results.

The incumbent will also be responsible for facilitating and leading projects in Value Analysis and Value Engineering for purchasing-led supplier collaboration projects. They will work as the project manager to monitor and control projects with internal and external stakeholders.

The incumbent will work with the Sustainability and Innovation team to develop reporting, dashboards, analytic studies, and presentations related to the above categories.

Innovation lead

• Own purchasing responsibility for New Product Development projects in CertainTeed gate process

• Organize and lead in monthly R&D reviews for strategic overview of ongoing R&D NPD projects

• Develop and maintain preferred supplier list for R&D

• Complete market review to identify multiple sources to reduce project risk

• Own supplier relationships for all new raw materials in NPD projects (communication, completion of legal documents, sample ordering, etc.)

• Develop category overview for new materials to identify future supply risks, lifecycle analysis, and price volatility

• Identify spend, develop sourcing strategy, and lead all sourcing, supplier negotiations, contract negotiations, and supplier selection to minimize the total cost of ownership

• Ensure business is protected, competitive pricing is obtained, and leverage opportunities are created or utilized with the preferred suppliers

• Serve as innovation expert

• Proactively review market and suppliers for potential innovation opportunities

• Complete annual review for R&D and innovation strategy and identify and recommend suppliers to support R&D initiatives

• Support initiatives to map potential innovation opportunities for BUs (Purchasing Innovation Strategy workshops, VIP Program, etc.)

Value Analysis and Value Engineering (VAVE) lead:

• Lead VAVE projects through all phases

• Work with businesses to identify and scope out potential opportunities

• Run workshops with business functions and suppliers to identify saving opportunities

• Facilitate value diagnosis and brainstorming sessions on potential opportunities

• Drive action plans based on opportunities identified by BUs

• Monitor and control execution of projects to track performance

• Responsible for process improvement as internal VAVE expert

• Lead trainings and develop and share resources to teams

• Develop, track, manage, and deliver results on KPIs and savings

• Lead regular business review with the functions

Sustainability lead

• Own and publish Scope 3 data reporting for all raw materials and transportation for CertainTeed

• Audit data on a quarterly basis to meet external audit expectation

• Coordinate with other functions (finance, IT, ESG) to ensure data reporting needs are met

• Work with businesses to ensure data and data reporting meet business strategy needs

• Support Scope 3 supplier actions

• Meet with suppliers to actively engage them on reduction actions in support of CertainTeed meeting 2030 and 2050 reduction goals

• Track, monitor, and report on program status

• Serve as subject matter expert for Scope 3

• Proactively benchmark and monitor market to bring best practices into CertainTeed procedures

• Communicate learnings with business leads in other functions to maintain best-in-class program

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or business (business, supply chain, finance) or relevant experience in the required field

• 5-8+ years experience with product development, sustainability role, or purchasing required

• High degree of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Experience working with large sets of data (PowerBI, Qlikview, etc.)

• Experience with sustainability (Scope 3, all categories)

• Experience working with internal and external (supplier) stakeholders and managing relationships with strong communication skills

• Detail-oriented and able to make data-driven reports and recommendations to support Business Unit strategies

• Catalyst Program (SG) certification preferred

• PMP certification preferred

At Saint-Gobain, our employees have pride in belonging to an organization whose culture is made up of these core values: Trust, Empowerment, & Collaboration. Our company encourages diversity and inclusion in all its forms while our products make the world a more beautiful, safer, and sustainable home (~~~) .

Saint-Gobain provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Saint-Gobain is an equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and supports the hiring of veterans.

We provide unique options to fit your unique lives! Our Total Rewards Program is customizable to accommodate your needs. Our menu of flexible options (~~~) includes, but is not limited to:

• Excellent healthcare options: Medical, vision, prescription & dental

• Family Focus & Balance: Parental leave, paid time-off and Employee Assistance Program

• Financial Security: Competitive 401(k), Company-funded Retirement Accumulation Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program (PEG)

• Tuition Reimbursement: Continuing education for every season of your career

• Pet Insurance options: Insurance plan & prescription discount program for your furry friends

• Employee Recognition Programs

• PerkSpot: Our exclusive one-stop online discount marketplace

• LiveWell: Rewarding you for living a healthy lifestyle