POSITION OVERVIEW The Category Manager – SG&A will provide leadership in the implementation of Ascend’s Procurement Strategy supporting our SG&A Category. This role will lead full project lifecycle focused on developing an in depth understanding of the marketplace as well as be responsible for leading in the procurement organization in sourcing, negotiating, and contracting that support various departments within the company. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and cross-functional collaboration. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Develop and implement procurement strategies for Ascend’s SG&A portfolio, with a central focus on HR & Benefits, Finance & Accounting, and Insurance Categories, aligning with company objectives and cost-saving initiatives. Identify and evaluate potential suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships to ensure cost-effectiveness and reliability of supply. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams such as Finance, Operations, IT, HR, and Engineering to understand their procurement needs and develop sourcing plans. Monitor market trends, supplier performance, and industry best practices to make informed decisions and maintain a competitive advantage. Conduct regular supplier performance evaluations, implement corrective actions, and foster long-term relationships with key suppliers. Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes, including the implementation of procurement technologies and tools. Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and report on procurement performance against established targets. Ensure compliance with all relevant policies, regulations, and ethical standards in procurement activities REQUIRED EXPERIENCE A bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance or related field and a minimum of 5 years of relevant procurement experience Proven experience in strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, and supplier relationship management. Demonstrated experience with procuring materials, equipment, and services Knowledge of procurement systems, purchasing policies and procedures as well as purchasing laws Ability to analyze market trends and forecast for purchasing decisions Experience working in an ERP environment; SAP experience highly desirable Proficient in using MS Office products: Power BI, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook REQUIRED SKILLS Strong negotiation skills. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across various departments and levels of the organization. Demonstrated ability to prioritize work and manage multiple priorities at one time Ability to drive complex projects to completion within a short period of time Strong analytical, quantitative and problem solving skills Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service Attention to detail with ability to learn quickly Comfortable working with ambiguity and building a structured environment Organizational skills and ability to multitask Able to work within and meet aggressive deadlines in a fast paced, changing, high energy environment Proactive; internal drive to continuously and successfully meet goals Skills Summary: About Us: Ascend Performance Materials is the premium provider of high quality chemicals, fibers and plastics. With world scale integrated manufacturing facilities we are able to develop new products from our core technologies, and provide flexibility to respond to the expanding needs of customers. Ascend has global sales and distribution facilities across the globe and six manufacturing facilities globally. As a privately-held company, our people do big things and make big decisions, often much earlier in their careers than at larger companies. Ascend Performance Materials offers team members the opportunity to contribute in big, meaningful ways—all within a stable and growing business. Why work at Ascend? Our vision is to be the recognized leader in the nylon 6,6 value chain, creating new possibilities with PA66 for everyone, everywhere, every day. We achieve that through living our Ascend values. We care. We operate safely with high integrity for our employees, our customers and our communities. Our people are our greatest assets, and our Total Rewards Program extends beyond traditional benefits to include access to on-site medical clinics at our U.S. facilities, a global wellness rewards program and Performance Matters, an employee-driven recognition plan. Our Commitment to Zero demonstrates our belief that is it possible to operate with zero personal injuries, zero process safety incidents and zero environmental releases. And the Ascend Cares Foundation, led by Ascend employees, supports Ascend families in times of need, provides inspiring opportunities for community engagement and facilitates community leadership. Customer-focused. We exist for our customers; they drive our actions. Their success is our success. Our plastics and chemicals are building blocks that help make everyday essentials safer and more sustainable, and we constantly strive to develop new and innovative products to meet the future needs of our customers. And that customer focus doesn’t only apply to the marketplace – it also applies to how we treat our colleagues and our fellow community members. Better every day. We invest in our people and our processes to improve every day. A2E, our continuous improvement program, guides the way we do business. And this way of problem solving applies not only to our manufacturing practices but also to our commitment to developing our people. You’ll see it during your career at Ascend in our leadership development, skills training and mentoring programs Agile. We think broadly and lead proactively in a constantly evolving organization and industry. Agility doesn’t mean simply working quickly – it means critical thinking, creative problem solving and novel approaches to everyday challenges. One Ascend. All together, with a common set of goals and an eye toward the future. We don’t accept silos. We look for ways to share across departments, sites and geography. This means you won’t be boxed into a single role at Ascend – you could get the chance to work with teams across the globe to improve the way we serve our people, our customers and our communities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, citizenship, genetic information or other protected status under federal, state or local laws.