Now hiring! Category Manager (Equipment)

Houston, TX (Hybrid)

We are looking for a Category Manager to join our Global Procurement team in Houston, TX.

Where the chemistry happens...

Global Indirect Procurement (GPI) is respon­sible for purchasing technical goods and services for BASF Group. We under­stand the business needs, are close to our stake­holders, drive cost savings, inno­va­tion and sustainable practices by negotiating with suppliers and managing vendor relationships.

As Category Manager (Equipment), you will develop and execute regional category strategies for a portfolio of industrial equipment categories across North and South America. You will lead and develop a team of category buyers, align regional priorities with global category strategies, supplier relationships and technical expert communities, and deliver competitive total cost of ownership, supply resilience, innovation, sustainability and measurable EBIT impact. The role combines strategic category leadership, people leadership and accountability for consistent Source-to-Contract governance across the Americas.

Come create chemistry with us!

As a Category Manager (Equipment), you create chemistry by...

• Developing and executing category strategies for equipment categories across North and South America, translating business, site, and technical requirements into sourcing plans that optimize total cost of ownership, strengthen supply resilience, and advance sustainability goals.
• Leading complex sourcing and negotiation initiatives that deliver measurable business value through commercial excellence, market insights, and strategic supplier partnerships.
• Building and managing high-performing supplier relationships that foster innovation while ensuring excellence in quality, safety, sustainability, and cost competitiveness.
• Serving as the key Americas interface to global category managers and cross-functional stakeholders, aligning regional business needs with global procurement strategies, governance standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Leading, coaching, and developing a team of category buyers across North and South America, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous growth in support of BASF's Winning Ways Strategy.
• Driving procurement excellence through compliant and efficient Source-to-Contract processes, leveraging digital tools, AI-enabled solutions, and data-driven continuous improvement initiatives.
• Governing the interface between Source-to-Contract and Procure-to-Pay processes, strengthening partnerships with operational teams while ensuring data integrity, compliance, transparency, and adherence to procurement policies and internal controls.

If you...

• Hold a Master's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, or a related field, or bring an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Bring significant experience in strategic procurement, category management, strategic sourcing, contract management, engineering, operations, supply chain, or another commercially accountable function within a complex business environment.
• Have a proven track record of developing category strategies, leading complex negotiations, delivering measurable business value, managing strategic supplier relationships, and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Understand industrial equipment markets, technical specifications, lifecycle economics, and supplier capabilities, or have gained comparable experience in technical goods, capital projects, maintenance, manufacturing, or engineering environments.
• Demonstrate success leading people, projects, or complex cross-functional teams, with strong capabilities in coaching, prioritization, performance management, and decision-making.
• Are willing and able to travel across the Americas and internationally as business needs require.

Create your own chemistry with you@BASF

At BASF, you will have the chance to do meaningful work towards building a more sustainable future. In addition to competitive compensation and benefits, BASF provides you with access to a wide range of elements to help you be your best. It’s what we call you@BASF. We are committed to providing benefits, programs, and opportunities that support our employees’ overall well-being, personal growth, and a safe, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.

Just some of the many benefits we offer include:

• Flexible work arrangements whenever possible
• Highly competitive retirement savings plan with company match and investment options
• Well-being programs that include comprehensive mental health support for you and your household family members
• Family forming benefits (fertility, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, maternity/parental leave, and more)
• Back-up child and elder care with discount programs for families of all ages and stages
• Mentoring and career development opportunities that allow you to share, learn, and thrive
• Matching gifts program that allows you to deepen the impact of your contributions to qualified charities.
• Employee crisis support for when the unexpected happens
• Access to our BASF wine cellar, employee discounts, and much more!

About us

As one of the largest chemical companies in North America we have been finding solutions for your everyday needs and addressing the most complex economic, environmental, and sustainability challenges for more than 150 years!

At BASF we empower our employees with the tools, guidance and opportunities they need to advance and succeed in work and life. Giving you the support you need to be your best and fulfill your personal ambitions is what helps us create chemistry. After all, our success is linked to yours. Whatever path you envision, BASF is a great place to build a rewarding, successful career.

Belong to Something Bigger. #belongatBASF

Privacy statement

BASF takes security & data privacy very seriously. We will never request financial information of any kind via email, private text message or direct message on any social medial platform or job board. Furthermore, we will never send a candidate a check for equipment or request any type of payment during the job application process. If you have experienced any of the above, please contact Careers.NorthAmerica@basf.com to report fraud.

Equal employment opportunities

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, citizenship, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, disability status, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.