Procurement Manager, Paper & Flex Packaging

fairlife•Chicago, IL

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 aligned with company objectives for cost improvement, supply resilience, innovation, and growth. It ensures the sourcing of high-quality, cost-effective packaging materials from a reliable and high-performing supply base. The manager drives business continuity and risk mitigation, contributes to sustainability and innovation initiatives, owns supplier relationship management activities, and supports continuous improvement across the value chain. The role works with teams including Packaging Engineering, Legal, and Planning, and supports packaging development, supplier qualification, budgeting, and performance tracking. The position is based in Chicago, Illinois, reports to the Sr. Manager, Packaging, and requires travel up to 30%.

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.
Technical knowledge of flexible packaging, including shrink sleeves, shrink film, and stretch film, and paper packaging, including corrugate or paperboard, for beverage or CPG.
Track record of executing year-over-year cost savings initiatives and developing a cost savings project pipeline.
Category management capabilities to mobilize cross-functional teams to mitigate risk and deliver value.
Ability to negotiate effectively and influence business decisions.
Proactive, results-focused approach and ability to provide insights that generate value.
Strategic thinking focused on both immediate results and long-term development.
Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-moving environment and build value-based relationships across the organization.

Nice To Haves

Strong project management background.
Experience in a CPG 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 inflation, and strengthen 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 (RFP) 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 to budget.
Support Packaging Engineering on innovation and sustainability projects involving supplier and material selection.
Develop a competitive supply base that supports resilience, effective spend leverage, innovation, and sustainability.
Monitor, track, and report category savings and key performance indicators.
Stay current on industry trends, supplier capabilities, and emerging paper and flexible packaging technologies.
Support new packaging development projects, including supplier selection and qualification.
Resolve supplier issues related to 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 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) 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.