Procurement Manager, Paper & Flex Packaging
About The Position
The Procurement Manager, Paper & Flex Packaging leads strategic sourcing and procurement operations for fairlife’s paper and flexible packaging categories, including corrugate, shrink sleeves, shrink film, and stretch film. The role develops and executes sourcing strategies that support cost improvements, supply resilience, innovation, and business growth, while securing high-quality, cost-effective materials from reliable suppliers. The position drives business continuity and risk mitigation, manages supplier relationships and performance, supports sustainability and innovation initiatives, and advances continuous improvement across the value chain. It also works with cross-functional partners on packaging development, supplier selection, budgeting, market trends, inventory flow, and order optimization. The position is based in Chicago, Illinois, reports to the Senior Manager, Packaging, and may require up to 30% travel.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree; preferably in Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, or Engineering.
- At least 5 years of experience in packaging strategic sourcing or relevant experience.
- Sound technical knowledge of flexible packaging (shrink sleeves, shrink film, and stretch film) and paper packaging (corrugate or paperboard) for beverage or consumer packaged goods.
- Demonstrated track record of year-over-year cost savings and ability to develop a cost-savings project pipeline.
- Category management capabilities, including mobilizing cross-functional teams to mitigate risk and deliver value.
- Ability to negotiate effectively and influence business decisions.
- Proactive, results-focused approach and proven ability to provide value-generating insights.
- Strategic thinking focused on both immediate results and future growth.
- Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-moving environment and build value-based working relationships across the organization.
Nice To Haves
- Strong project management background.
- Experience in a consumer packaged goods environment.
Responsibilities
- Lead procurement and category management activities for paper and flexible packaging spend.
- Develop and implement sourcing strategies to reduce total delivered cost, address inflationary pressures, and improve supply resilience.
- Manage supplier performance through routine business reviews and cross-functional scorecard evaluations.
- Identify supply-base risks and vulnerabilities and develop mitigation strategies.
- Lead request-for-proposal processes to achieve the lowest total cost of ownership.
- Develop and execute vendor agreements in collaboration with the Legal Team.
- Assist with developing and managing annual material cost budgets.
- Analyze and forecast market inflation trends and address price variances against budget.
- Support the Packaging Engineering Team on innovation and sustainability initiatives involving supplier and material selection.
- Develop a competitive, resilient supply base that leverages spend and supports innovation and sustainability.
- Monitor, track, and report category savings and key performance indicators.
- Track industry trends, supplier capabilities, and emerging technologies in paper and flexible packaging.
- Support new packaging development projects, including supplier selection and qualification.
- Resolve supplier issues involving operations, purchasing, quality, or performance.
- Collaborate with the Planning Team on inventory flow and order optimization opportunities.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage effective on day one.
- Supplemental health plans, including hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance.
- Paid time off.
- Paid parental leave and adoption assistance up to $10,000.
- Parental support and family care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support.
- 401(k) plan with up to 9% employer match.
- Wellness reimbursement up to $500 for qualified wellbeing expenses.
- Employee Assistance Program for emotional wellbeing and work-life support.
- Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability.
- Employer HSA funding for HDHP participants.
- Tuition reimbursement up to $10,000 and student loan repayment of $200 per month.
- Learning and development programs.
- Rewards and recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
