The Company

Imerys is the world’s leading supplier of mineral-based specialty solutions for the industry with €3.4 billion in revenue and 12,300 employees in 40 countries in 2025. 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.

Job Summary/Purpose

With a global spend of 80M€ the bulk shipping category is an important purchasing area at Imerys. The Bulk Shipping Category Manager is responsible for strategic purchasing of bulk, breakbulk, stevedoring and barging transportation for inbound & outbound flows. The role will oversee the purchasing process methodology, best practices, sourcing strategy and associated KPIs management. An operational responsibility is part of the role, in particular the chartering
process and follow up of shipments.

Responsibilities

• Within the team develop and implement a Shipping Purchasing Strategy for your area of responsibility and aligned to the global plans, that best serves Imerys global needs for short and long term

• Deliver the planned savings for the Shipping Category region as well as the sustainability targets

• Ensure to have a full and complete overview of Categories activities (bulk shipping, stevedoring, related activities, barging) enabling the function to design the required strategy and to approach the market as one unified and strong shipper with a sustainable objective and cost savings

• Identify, quantify and pursue opportunities for cost savings or other improvements and manage them on a project basis until completion and validation of the captured savings

• Contribute to create alignment across the Global Shipping Purchasing team suggesting common methodology, sharing best practices and secure continuity

• Build a network with key stakeholders in Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Purchasing and actively work on alignment between the different contributors

• Manage a common process of performance assessment for the category and report results periodically

• Be a supportive but also challenging business partner and source of related knowledge for Imerys internal stakeholders, define common goals and provide and seek support for improvement projects

• Setup a process of establishing detailed and tailor made SLA’s with the Imerys internal shipping operations defining the applicable way of cooperation on operational level

• Actively build on relationships and be the Imerys representative with ship owners or shipping industry bodies and maintain a supplier relationship management process

• Follow Market Evolution on different sub categories in the Bulk Shipping Industry and be able to report relevant information to key stakeholders

• Support commercial teams by providing cost indications or ad-hoc opportunities for potential shipments

• Maintain and update records containing financial and performance data, indexes, demurrages etc.

• Be a promotor and active contributor in bringing the Category to a higher level on automation and usage of tools, in particular by exploring opportunities in AI that could help the team

Qualifications

• Master or Bachelor in Supply Chain or International Business Economics

• Solid relevant experience in Supply Chain, in particular Sea Freight and related activities in an international business environment (5 year +)

• Fluent in English

• Conversant in French, German, Italian or any other European language is a plus

Knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics

• Demonstrated ability to develop relationships & influence key decision makers internally & externally, regionally and globally

• Proven experience in planning and leading complex negotiations

• Highly motivated & results focused with the ability to act with a high sense of urgency

• Ability to operate and execute effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and challenging deadlines

• Thorough knowledge of the regulations, formalities and processes of the Bulk Shipping Category

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills

• Thorough knowledge and experience in the usage of tools and AI

and

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.