Head, Supply Chain

Head of Supply Chain

Sterling Specialty Chemicals | Sterling Multi-Chem

Position Summary

Sterling is seeking a highly experienced, commercially minded Head of Supply Chain with deep expertise in Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Logistics, and International Supply Chain Operations to lead the company's end-to-end supply chain organization across its chemical manufacturing and energy services businesses.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive hands-on experience managing complex domestic and international sourcing, procurement, and logistics operations, preferably within the chemical manufacturing, specialty chemicals, energy, or oil and gas industries. This individual must demonstrate a strong understanding of global raw material markets, international supplier relationships, import/export operations, transportation networks, and supply chain cost optimization.

This role will have overall responsibility for Sourcing & Procurement, Planning, Logistics & Distribution, Inventory Management, and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), with particular emphasis on strengthening global procurement capabilities, improving supplier performance, reducing working capital, optimizing manufacturing and distribution networks, and delivering sustainable cost savings.

As a member of Sterling's senior leadership team, the Head of Supply Chain will work closely with Commercial, Manufacturing, Finance, Technology, and business leaders to develop a more integrated, efficient, and cost-effective global supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

• Lead Sterling's global sourcing and procurement strategy across all business units, with particular emphasis on chemical raw materials, specialty chemicals, and manufacturing-related purchases.
• Demonstrate advanced proficiency in strategic sourcing, procurement negotiations, supplier selection, contract management, and cost optimization.
• Develop and manage domestic and international supplier relationships, including identifying new sourcing opportunities in global markets.
• Lead complex supplier negotiations, long-term supply agreements, competitive bidding, and strategic purchasing initiatives.
• Establish dual-sourcing strategies and contingency plans to reduce supply risk and dependence on single-source suppliers.
• Leverage purchasing volumes across Sterling Specialty Chemicals (SSC) and Sterling Multi-Chem (SMC) to improve pricing, terms, and supplier performance.
• Monitor global raw material markets, pricing trends, supply availability, tariffs, and geopolitical developments that may affect sourcing strategies.

Logistics, Transportation & International Operations

• Provide strategic leadership over domestic and international logistics, transportation, warehousing, terminals, and distribution operations.
• Demonstrate strong proficiency in managing complex logistics networks, including bulk chemical transportation, rail, truck, ocean freight, and third-party logistics providers.
• Oversee international shipping, import/export activities, customs requirements, Incoterms, and applicable trade compliance regulations.
• Develop strategies to optimize freight costs, transportation routes, warehouse utilization, and distribution efficiency.
• Manage relationships and contracts with freight carriers, customs brokers, freight forwarders, and logistics service providers.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate shipments, improve transportation efficiency, and reduce overall logistics expenditures.
• Ensure reliable movement of raw materials and finished products across Sterling's domestic and international operations.

Supply Chain Planning & Inventory Management

• Lead Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), demand forecasting, supply planning, and production planning processes.
• Align commercial forecasts with manufacturing capacity, raw material availability, procurement activities, and customer demand.
• Optimize raw material and finished goods inventory while maintaining high customer service levels and supply reliability.
• Reduce excess, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory to improve working capital and cash flow.
• Partner with Manufacturing to optimize plant utilization, production schedules, and the overall manufacturing and distribution footprint.

Cost Optimization & Operational Excellence

• Develop and execute measurable cost-reduction initiatives across sourcing, procurement, logistics, and inventory management.
• Identify opportunities to improve supplier pricing, freight costs, purchasing efficiency, and supply chain productivity.
• Establish and monitor KPIs for supplier performance, procurement savings, inventory turns, forecast accuracy, logistics costs, and working capital.
• Translate supply chain improvements into measurable EBITDA, cash flow, and operational performance improvements.
• Lead supply chain process improvements, systems integration, and organizational transformation.
• Support the effective utilization of ERP systems, including SAP, to improve visibility, reporting, and decision-making.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing supply chain organization across Sterling's domestic and international operations.
• Establish clear accountability, performance expectations, and standardized processes across sourcing, procurement, logistics, and planning functions.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Manufacturing, Finance, and Technology leadership to align supply chain strategies with business objectives.
• Provide senior leadership with recommendations on sourcing opportunities, supplier risks, logistics performance, and supply chain investments.

Candidate Profile

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive experience in supply chain management, with substantial direct experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, and logistics.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Logistics, or a related field required. Advanced degree or relevant supply chain certification preferred.
• Strong international experience is required, including global sourcing, international supplier negotiations, cross-border logistics, and import/export operations.
• Demonstrated expertise in sourcing and purchasing chemical raw materials, preferably within specialty chemicals, energy, oil and gas, or industrial manufacturing.
• Extensive knowledge of domestic and international transportation, including bulk chemical logistics, rail, trucking, ocean freight, warehousing, and distribution.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex domestic and international supplier agreements and deliver measurable procurement savings.
• Significant leadership experience overseeing multiple supply chain functions, including sourcing, procurement, logistics, inventory, and planning.
• Strong understanding of global supply markets, international trade regulations, customs requirements, and supply chain risk management.
• Demonstrated success in reducing procurement and logistics costs, optimizing inventory, and improving working capital.
• Strong knowledge of S&OP, manufacturing planning, supplier management, and distribution network optimization.
• Proven ability to lead organizational change, develop teams, and establish standardized processes across multiple business units and locations.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with the ability to connect supply chain performance to EBITDA, profitability, and cash flow.
• Excellent negotiation, analytical, problem-solving, and executive communication skills.
• ERP/SAP experience strongly preferred.
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• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will establish a more integrated, strategically managed, and globally competitive supply chain across Sterling's businesses.

Success will be demonstrated through stronger domestic and international sourcing capabilities, improved procurement leverage, more competitive raw material costs, optimized transportation and logistics networks, improved inventory management, and measurable reductions in working capital.

This leader will also strengthen supplier relationships, improve planning discipline, enhance supply reliability, and establish clear accountability throughout the organization while delivering sustainable improvements in profitability, operational efficiency, and customer service.