Category Manager - Direct Materials

Trivium Packaging•Chicago, IL

4d•Remote

About The Position

Trivium Packaging is a global sustainability leader in metal packaging with more than 60 locations worldwide, nearly 8,000 employees, and an annual revenue of approximately €3.0 billion. Trivium serves a diverse range of customers in a variety of end markets such as food, seafood, pet food, nutrition, beauty and personal care, household care, and premium beverages. Trivium wants to shape the industry and has embarked on an ambitious transformation journey. In the near term, focus is on building & upskilling the team, deciding where to play & how to win, and increasing financial performance by executing the Trivium Business System (commercial, operational, and supply chain excellence). Sustainability is embedded in our materials and in our actions. Trivium has ambitious sustainability targets and focuses exclusively on products that are infinitely recyclable. Our company sustainability journey has been awarded with a Platinum medal by EcoVadis, the world’s leading rating agent who allocated this award only to the top 1% of the >75000 companies reviewed. Sustainability is embedded in each and every function at Trivium, it‘s in our DNA. The global head office is at Amsterdam Airport; however, many people work in virtual teams from different countries. Our culture is results-driven, entrepreneurial, informal, and highly multicultural. Our people have a high degree of responsibility.Role Summary The Category Manager Direct Materials helps drive the transformation of Trivium’s FSNA procurement and supply chain. The role partners closely with global category leadership and regional commercial, operations, supply chain, and finance teams. Key responsibilities include developing category strategies, improving supplier performance, ensuring supply continuity, and delivering sustainable value. This position reports to the VP of Procurement & Supply Chain, Americas with a dotted line to Global Category Tinplate director.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
7+ years of procurement/category leadership experience, ideally in manufacturing or metal packaging.
Strong analytical abilities; proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
MRP experience; SAP preferred.
Expertise in procurement processes and contract negotiation.

Responsibilities

Support development of procurement strategy and convert it into executable plans.
Build and implement sourcing strategies for tinplate and associated parts/services based on business needs.
Support other direct material needs including by not limited to lacquers, compounds, etc.
Monitor market conditions to refine category and sourcing approaches.
Lead supplier performance management, improvement plans, and business reviews.
Oversee tinplate purchase orders and ensure supply continuity aligned with plant production and inventory targets.
Participate in regular S&OP cycles and address required actions.
Identify improvement opportunities and manage tariff-related matters, including exemption and antidumping documentation.
Identify and qualify new suppliers with R&D and plant teams, as required
Negotiate volume and pricing with third‑party providers, inclusive of components, cutting and lacquering suppliers.
Manage contracts throughout their lifecycle.
Strengthen supplier relationships and maximize value.
Provide analytical support and recommendations during negotiations.
Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and manage the supplier base.
Provide annual purchasing forecasts as needed.
Develop budgets and targets aligned with strategic goals.
Ensure cost‑effective allocation of financial resources.
Deliver periodic reports and forecasts, including monthly supplier‑level tinplate purchasing forecasts.