Alliance/Partner Management, Analysis Skills, Benchmarking, Budgeting, Business Administration, Business Skills, Business Support, Candidate Sourcing, Category Management, Chemistry, Coaching, Communication Skills, Competitive Analysis/Strategy, Continuous Improvement, Cost Control, Cost Forecasting, Cost Modeling, Cross-Functional, Environmental Chemistry, Expense Tracking, Finance, Financial Analysis, Financial Management, Forecasting, Industrial Coating, Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Manufacturing, Market Trend Analysis, Metrics, Negotiation Skills, Operational Support, Pay-Per-Click Advertising, Procurement Management, Procurement Strategy, Product Pricing, Product Programs, Purchasing/Procurement, Regulatory Compliance, Research & Development (R&D), Risk, Risk Management, Sourcing Strategy, Strategic Analysis, Strategic Planning, Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), Supply Chain, Sustainability, Team Building, Team Lead/Manager, Technical Operations, Vendor/Supplier Evaluation, Vendor/Supplier Management, Vendor/Supplier Planning, Vendor/Supplier Relations
The Opportunity
This is a high-impact leadership role with direct influence on PPC’s cost structure, supply continuity, and innovation pipeline. The Director will play a critical role in shaping procurement strategy, strengthening supplier networks, and aligning closely with R&D and operations to support both business performance and long-term growth. This position offers the opportunity to build organizational capability, drive strategic sourcing excellence, and contribute meaningfully to PPC’s innovation and sustainability agenda. This is a hybrid position located in Cranberry Township, PA.
The Position
The Director of Raw Materials is responsible for leading PPC’s procurement strategy, processes, people, and performance across all raw material and packaging categories. This role oversees more than $600MM in annual spend and ensures the organization secures competitive cost, service, innovation, and supply continuity.
Reporting to the Vice President of Procurement and serving on the Procurement Leadership Team, this leader drives category strategy, supplier management, financial performance, and cross-functional alignment across Technology, Operations, Quality, COE, and Finance.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a strategic and analytical procurement leader with deep expertise in chemical or manufacturing environments. They bring a strong balance of commercial acumen, technical understanding, and leadership capability. This leader thrives in complex, dynamic markets—anticipating material trends, navigating supply risks, and building strong supplier partnerships. They are equally comfortable leading teams, influencing cross-functional stakeholders, and driving measurable financial outcomes. They combine data-driven decision-making with strong communication skills and a proactive, forward-looking mindset.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Category Leadership:
- Develop and execute long-term category strategies balancing cost, service, risk, and innovation
- Build deep market intelligence across feedstocks, supply-demand dynamics, and geopolitical factors
- Lead complex supplier negotiations leveraging cost modeling and market benchmarks
- Anticipate raw material trends and align with Technology on cost drivers and material indices
Innovation & Technology Alignment:
- Partner with R&D to identify and commercialize new materials and technologies
- Support innovation and sustainability initiatives through supplier scouting and development
- Drive dual-approval strategies to reduce supply risk and increase leverage
Supplier Management & Collaboration:
- Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships
- Lead alternative supplier and product qualification programs
- Ensure supplier performance meets quality, reliability, compliance, and sustainability standards
Financial Performance & Analytics:
- Own budget-to-forecast processes for raw materials
- Maintain savings pipelines and track validated financial results
- Utilize cost models and pricing tools to inform sourcing decisions and forecasts
People Leadership & Team Development:
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of category managers
- Build capability in sourcing, cost modeling, and market intelligence
- Foster a culture of accountability, growth, and continuous improvement
Governance & Process Excellence:
- Ensure compliance with procurement policies and controls
- Drive process efficiency and digital enablement
- Maintain strong cross-functional alignment across the organization
Qualifications
Required Experience:
- 10+ years of progressive procurement experience
- Experience in chemicals, coatings, or related manufacturing industries
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Chemistry, Business, or related field
Proven leadership experience managing and developing teams - Strong analytical capabilities (cost modeling, forecasting, financial analysis)
- Demonstrated success in cost savings and complex negotiations
Preferred Experience:
- MBA or relevant advanced degree
- Deep understanding of chemical markets and feedstock dynamics
- Experience working in formulation-driven environments
Key Success Metrics
- Cost savings and procurement value delivery
- Supply continuity and risk mitigation
- Supplier performance and strategic partnerships
- Forecast accuracy and financial alignment
- Progress on dual sourcing and innovation initiatives
Additional Expectations
- Strong cross-functional collaboration with Technology, Operations, and Finance
- Ability to navigate market volatility and supply chain complexity
- Leadership presence within the procurement organization and across the business
- Commitment to continuous improvement and process excellence