Regional Category Manager - Rail, North America

The Company

Imerys is the world’s leading supplier of mineral-based specialty solutions for the industry with €3.6 billion in revenue and 12,400 employees in 40 countries in 2024. The Group offers high value-added and functional solutions to a wide range of industries and fast-growing markets such as solutions for the energy transition and sustainable construction, as well as natural solutions for consumer goods. Imerys draws on its understanding of applications, technological knowledge, and expertise in material science to deliver solutions which contribute essential properties to customers’ products and their performance. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Imerys promotes environmentally friendly products and processes in addition to supporting its customers in their decarbonization efforts.

Imerys is listed on Euronext Paris (France) with the ticker symbol NK.PA.

The Position

Job Summary

Job Title: Regional Category Manager - Rail, North America

Location: Roswell, GA (hybrid schedule: 3 days/week in office, 2 days/week remote)

About the Role

The Regional Category Manager for Rail in North America coordinates and manages rail freight purchases and railcar leasing across the US, Canada, and Mexico, overseeing an annual spend of $45 million. This strategic position requires expertise in rail market dynamics to optimize costs, negotiate with suppliers, evaluate transportation alternatives, and drive sustainability initiatives according to company purchasing policies.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and implement sourcing strategies for rail freight, leasing, transloading, and accessorial management
Lead negotiations with Class 1 railroads and shortline carriers to reduce costs and improve service levels
Analyze market trends to identify new suppliers and alternative transportation solutions
Execute strategic sourcing projects to minimize Total Cost of Ownership across 40+ North American sites
Manage RFQ processes, contract development, and supplier performance reviews
Collaborate with Logistics, Operations, and Continuous Improvement teams on cross-functional projects
Support budget forecasting with regional market insights
Coordinate solutions during transportation disruptions or crises

Qualifications:

Associate's degree required; Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, or Engineering preferred
Minimum 5 years' experience in transportation procurement/logistics (rail experience preferred)
Experience with intermodal transportation considered
Proven track record in strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management
Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data-driven decision making
Excellent negotiation and communication abilities
Experience with Google Suite and/or Microsoft Office tools

Additional Information:

Individual contributor role with no direct reports
Approximately 30% travel to company sites and supplier locations across North America
This position offers the opportunity to drive significant cost savings and sustainability improvements in a critical transportation category

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who can manage complex projects with minimal supervision, collaborate effectively with technical and operations teams, and deliver results through process improvements and strategic thinking.

Position Type

Full time

and

Permanent

Only technical issues will be monitored through the below inbox:

recruiting.support@ imerys.com

PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT RESUMES OR APPLICATIONS TO THIS EMAIL, AS THEY WILL NOT BE REVIEWED.

To ensure fairness and legal compliance in our recruitment processes, only applications received through the online application process will be considered.

IMERYS is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and it is our policy to not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws.