Purchasing Agent

Innomark Communications•Miamisburg, OH

18d

About The Position

INNOMARK is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Purchasing Agent specializing in print media, paperboard, and paper manufacturing. The role manages end-to-end sourcing of paper substrates, corrugated materials, and print services that support manufacturing operations. The Purchasing Agent sources and manages suppliers, reviews production specifications to select suitable paper stocks and print processes, and works with Quality Assurance to address substrate- and paper-related production issues. The role also forecasts demand, maintains just-in-time inventory, monitors paper-market trends and capacity constraints, and manages material waste to reduce production scrap.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent hands-on experience.
3–5 years of purchasing or procurement experience specifically in print manufacturing, commercial printing, or paper packaging.
Deep understanding of paper grades and manufacturing processes, including corrugated, folding carton, and flexible packaging.
Knowledge of print production from pre-press through finishing.
Strong experience using ERP/MRP systems, such as SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite, for inventory management and purchase order creation.
Proven ability to navigate volatile commodity markets and build strong vendor partnerships.
Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency for data analysis and cost modeling.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative), and PEFC certifications.

Responsibilities

Source, evaluate, and onboard paper mills, brokers, commercial printers, and converters.
Monitor supplier performance for on-time delivery, quality, and cost variance, and conduct regular vendor reviews.
Review production specifications and determine appropriate paper stocks based on factors such as GSM, caliper, brightness, finish, coating, equipment, and press runs.
Manage procurement for litho-lamination, flexographic, digital, and gravure printing processes.
Collaborate with Quality Assurance to resolve paper-related defects, press downtime issues, and substrate failures.
Analyze manufacturing schedules to forecast paper demand and maintain just-in-time inventory levels.
Track global pulp and paper market trends, indices, and capacity constraints to manage price volatility proactively.
Manage raw-material waste factors and optimize sheet and roll sizes to minimize production scrap.