Senior Sourcing Specialist - Additives

The Senior Sourcing Specialist – Additives oversees the strategic sourcing and management process for a portfolio of chemical additives used across Sherwin‑Williams businesses. This role is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies, monitoring market movements, negotiating agreements, and partnering with a broad range of business groups to support cost competitiveness, supply continuity, risk mitigation, and supplier performance.

The additives portfolio includes performance and formulation additives such as dispersant, flow and leveling agents and other additives as needed, many of which are technically complex and supply‑constrained.

This role is expected to operate independently within defined category strategies, lead commercial negotiations, RFQs, and contract execution for assigned categories, and resolve supplier issues as they arise. The position also works closely with the Procurement Manager and Director to support more strategic, complex, or specialized initiatives across the additives portfolio.

Category & Sourcing Strategy

• Execute category strategies for assigned additive sub‑categories in alignment with global procurement objectives.
• Analyze market dynamics, feedstock drivers, supplier cost structures, and supply risks to inform sourcing decisions.
• Support longer‑term category roadmaps focused on dual sourcing, reformulation opportunities, and supplier rationalization.

Supplier Management & Negotiations

• Lead commercial negotiations, RFQs, and contract renewals for assigned suppliers and materials.
• Manage ongoing supplier performance related to cost, service, quality, and supply reliability.
• Challenge and validate supplier price increases using market intelligence, cost models, and benchmarking.
• Support supplier escalation and issue resolution in collaboration with internal stakeholders.

Cost Management & Savings Delivery

• Deliver cost savings through strategic sourcing, negotiation, specification optimization, contract compliance, and demand consolidation.
• Track and report savings, price actions, and risk mitigation efforts using Sherwin‑Williams procurement tools.
• Partner with finance and business teams to ensure savings are realized and sustained.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with R&D, Technical Service, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing teams to ensure sourcing decisions support product performance and compliance.
• Support qualification, reformulation, and change‑management activities as required.
• Collaborate with global procurement colleagues, regional business partners, and suppliers to align sourcing strategies and leverage scale where appropriate.

Risk & Supply Continuity

• Monitor supply market disruptions, force majeure events, and geopolitical or regulatory risks impacting the additives portfolio.
• Support contingency planning, alternative sourcing, and inventory risk mitigation actions.
• Proactively identify single‑source or constrained materials and develop mitigation plans.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience, preferably in the procurement and sourcing of chemicals, additives, or specialty materials.
• Proven experience leading supplier negotiations and managing complex commercial discussions.
• Strong analytical skills, including cost modeling and market analysis.
• Ability to influence cross‑functional stakeholders and operate effectively in a matrixed organization.

Preferred

• Experience sourcing chemical additives or raw materials in coatings, polymers, or related industries.
• Familiarity with RFQ processes, contract structures, and supplier performance management.
• Comfort operating in volatile market environments with supply and price uncertainty.
• Experience working with distributors and direct manufacturers.

Competencies & Skills

• Commercial and negotiation acumen
• Structured, fact‑based decision making
• Clear and direct communication
• Ability to balance short‑term execution with longer‑term strategy
• Strong ownership mindset with appropriate escalation judgment