Director Global Procurement

Job Summary

Polyvantis is a global leader in high-performance materials and a major buyer of Polycarbonate (PC) and Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA). As a newly formed company with operations across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, we are seeking a Global Procurement Director to architect and lead a high-performing procurement function. This role combines strategic vision and real-time execution and requires a leader who is financially fluent, market-connected, and comfortable operating hands-on in a high-service, customer-focused environment. This person will report directly to the SVP Supply Chain & Procurement and will routinely engage with the CEO, CFO, and other senior executives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Procurement & Market Engagement

• Build and execute a global sourcing strategy aligned with company objectives for cost, service, risk, and innovation.
• Develop strategic supplier relationships, particularly in PC, PMMA, and key indirect categories.
• Monitor global material markets and proactively mitigate supply and cost risks.

Procurement Organization Build-Up

• Design the procurement function, operating model, and global-local team structure.
• Define and implement global procurement policies, contract governance, and category strategies.
• Align procurement activities with commercial, operations, and financial planning.

Operational Execution & Hands-On Support

• Serve as the escalation point for urgent buys, supplier issues, and customer-driven priorities.
• Support execution directly, especially during major disruptions or for high-impact accounts.
• Coordinate closely with customer service, logistics, and manufacturing to maintain continuity of supply.

Financial Ownership & Executive Alignment

• Translate procurement strategy into financial impact, including margin, inflation, and working capital.
• Partner with the CFO and CEO to present sourcing plans, supplier risk scenarios, and performance updates.
• Support budgeting, quarterly reviews, and performance improvement initiatives.

Digital Tools & Process Standardization

• Lead the adoption of SAP S/4HANA and procurement analytics tools to drive visibility and control.
• Standardize sourcing and supplier management processes across regions.
• Promote digital workflows and automation to increase speed and reduce manual tasks.

Leadership & Global Team Development

• Build and lead a global procurement team with a culture of ownership, accountability, and performance.
• Develop talent through coaching, feedback, and formal development paths.
• Foster collaboration across regional teams while maintaining global consistency.

Leadership Profile

Required Behaviors

• Hands-on and action-oriented: Solves problems in real time and engages deeply in operational matters.
• Externally focused: Constantly scanning market dynamics, supplier performance, and risk factors.
• Financially sharp: Understands and articulates the P&L, working capital, and procurement's impact on margins.
• Collaborative: Builds cross-functional alignment and integrates procurement into planning, sales, and operations.
• Decisive: Acts with clarity and speed, especially under pressure.

Process Knowledge

• Strategic sourcing, category management, and supplier segmentation
• SAP S/4HANA procurement modules, analytics dashboards, and contract lifecycle systems
• Procurement risk management, compliance frameworks, and working capital levers
• RFQ/RFP processes, P2P workflows, and escalation protocols
• Commodity cost modeling, negotiation strategies, and should-cost analysis

Leadership Style

• Builder: Comfortable in a “blank slate” environment—sets up structure, tools, and culture from scratch
• Visible leader: Leads from the front in high-pressure situations; serves as the go-to person during crises
• Global mindset: Operates effectively across cultures and time zones
• People developer: Invests in talent and team performance with clear expectations and support
• Executive communicator: Can present complex sourcing strategies and financial implications with clarity and confidence to C-level stakeholders

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or Engineering; MBA preferred
• 10+ years in procurement, with 5+ years in global leadership roles
• Strong background in industrial materials, ideally PC/PMMA or specialty chemicals
• Proficient in SAP S/4HANA and digital procurement platforms
• Fluent in English; additional languages a plus
• U.S. preferred; open to Europe. Travel 25–40%

Work Availability

Regular, predictable attendance is an essential function of this position. Applicants must be regularly available and willing to work Monday- Friday during assigned hours of operation and such other hours as the company determines are necessary or desirable to meet business needs.

We are proud to be a diverse and an equal opportunity employer. We are fully committed to a culture of respect and inclusion.