Procurement Manager

Smurfit Westrock•New Orleans, LA

37d•Onsite

About The Position

The Operational Mill Procurement Manager, seated at our Hodge, LA, mill, will manage the purchasing functions within an assigned location and provide leadership to procurement and storeroom personnel. This role will focus on overseeing daily procurement operations, driving supplier performance, ensuring cost effective purchasing, and aligning procurement practices with overall business goals. Additionally, the individual will bring deep knowledge of procurement in a manufacturing setting and requires a balance of operational execution and stakeholder collaboration, with a strong focus on continuous improvement and compliance.

Requirements

Results Orientated & Accountability
Delivers strong outcomes by setting clear goals, prioritizing effectively, and holds themself and others accountable. Maintains high standards, embraces ownership, overcomes challenges, and continuously seeks to improve quality, efficiency, and safety standards.
Communication & Influence
Communicates clearly, listens actively, and tailors message for impact. Build trust and alignment across teams and stakeholders. Persuades effectively, addresses objections tactfully, and inspires action even without formal authority.
Customer & Team Focus
Build strong, respectful relationships with internal and external customers. Collaborates effectively, supports team goals, and fosters a positive, inclusive team environment.
Leadership & Initiative
Leads by example, motivates others, and drives action with integrity. Embraces change, makes timely decisions, takes initiative, and holds self and others accountable for results.
Strategic Thinking & Technical Expertise
Apply deep technical knowledge and functional skills to solve complex problems. Thinks long-term, identifies opportunities and risks, and stays current with industry advancements. Has the ability to manage procurement activities across multiple facilities, balancing strategic goals with day-to-day demands.
Bachelor's degree in related field
Minimum of 7 years of professional experience with background in Procurement, Sourcing, or Supply Chain in a fast paced, manufacturing environment.
Strong knowledge of procurement best practices, contract management, and supplier relationship management.
Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, JDE, Radius, etc.).
Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders across various locations.
Strong leadership skills with a focus on team development and performance management.

Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with all safety, purchasing, stores, and environmental policies and procedures.
Lead and manage the procurement resources within the assigned location, ensuring accountability, cross training, and succession planning. Provide coaching, mentoring, and training to assigned team members to support talent development.
Manage procurement of direct and indirect spend categories relevant to the operating location, including raw materials, maintenance items, general supplies, services, and capital expenditures.
Ensure consistent quality for goods and services acting as the point of contact for escalation and primary negotiator to resolve issues with goods and/or service providers in coordination with other functional areas.
Lead continuous improvement to drive meaningful changes in process, suppliers, or materials to deliver value beyond price.
Develop, implement, and maintain a commodity inventory strategy that supports the company's supply chain vision and operational reliability.
Drive value-adding competitive bidding processes, analyze proposals, and recommend award to suppliers that provide the best value at the lowest cost.
Work closely with Quality to address any supplier quality or warranty issues and enforce the Terms & Conditions of agreements, ensuring the recovery of costs where applicable.
Ensure alignment with strategic category strategies while adapting to regional/site-specific needs.
Recommend and implement improvements to maximize productivity, quality, and efficiency while optimizing Total Cost of Ownership.
Lead through influence to drive implementation of sourcing strategies and ensure the realization of implemented savings.
Collaborate with plant general managers, maintenance leads, and strategic sourcing teams to understand demand, resolve supply issues, and support production continuity.
Partner with Legal, Contract Management, and suppliers to finalize contracts and ensure proper governance over negotiated terms.
Drive accountability of team members and stakeholders to ensure procurement processes and policies are followed and ensure efficiency in execution.
Support procurement-related ERP processes and ensure data accuracy and system utilization.
Collaborate with peers and sister facilities to leverage the purchasing power of the organization and drive standardization of systems, processes, and supply base.
Ability to integrate with mill lead team, learn mill operations and sponsor cross functional teams outside the purchasing area.