Category Lead

International Paper Company•Memphis, TN

48d•Hybrid

About The Position

At International Paper, you control your destiny. We offer challenging assignments and total rewards in countries around the world. When we say infinite possibilities, we mean it. Apply now and join a community that improves people's lives, the planet and our company's performance by transforming renewable resources into products people depend on every day. The Job You Will Perform: Strategic Sourcing & Category Leadership - Own and lead multiple categories. Develop and execute sourcing strategies that optimize cost, quality, and service levels. Supplier Management & Market Intelligence - Build strong supplier relationships and maintain deep knowledge of category intelligence, market dynamics, and emerging trends. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to manage supplier performance and identify risks and opportunities. Contract Negotiation - Lead and/or assist in both conventional and complex contract negotiations and establish contracts that deliver best-in-class value. Leverage your exceptional contract language development, negotiation skills, and contract management abilities. Work with Legal and other internal stakeholders to optimize critical terms and conditions while ensuring compliance with corporate policies. Cost Optimization & Value Creation - Drive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) improvements through supplier engagement, process enhancements, and strategic sourcing initiatives. The Impact You Will Make: We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you'll see why our team members say they're Proud to be IP. The Culture You Will Experience: International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture. The Company You Will Join: International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global supplier of renewable fiber-based products. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable worldwide commerce, and pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 38,000 colleagues globally. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2022 were $21.2 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting InternationalPaper.com.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in Sourcing, Supplier Management, Contract Negotiations
Minimum 5 years of strategic sourcing and category management experience
Proven success in negotiating complex, high-value contracts and delivering measurable cost savings.
Deep understanding of procurement processes, supplier management, and commercial practices.
Strong analytical capabilities to interpret market trends, building cost models, and forecast budget impacts.
Ability to translate data into actional sourcing strategies
Experience identifying, assessing, and mitigating supplier financial and security risks to IP and its operational systems
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams through a discipline strategic process to drive collaboration, influence change, and ensure successful results.
Expectational communication and influential skills to achieve specific outcomes through the cultivation of strategic relationships and rapport building talents
Effectively manage multiple projects with competing priorities

Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Category Leadership - Own and lead multiple categories. Develop and execute sourcing strategies that optimize cost, quality, and service levels.
Supplier Management & Market Intelligence - Build strong supplier relationships and maintain deep knowledge of category intelligence, market dynamics, and emerging trends. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to manage supplier performance and identify risks and opportunities.
Contract Negotiation - Lead and/or assist in both conventional and complex contract negotiations and establish contracts that deliver best-in-class value. Leverage your exceptional contract language development, negotiation skills, and contract management abilities. Work with Legal and other internal stakeholders to optimize critical terms and conditions while ensuring compliance with corporate policies.
Cost Optimization & Value Creation - Drive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) improvements through supplier engagement, process enhancements, and strategic sourcing initiatives.

Benefits

International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets.
Promotional opportunities within a global company

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