Sr. Category Manager – Packaging

Owens & Minor • Remote - Virginia, VA

5d • $115,000 - $150,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Global Category Manager – Packaging is a strategic leadership role accountable for developing and executing a 12–36 month worldwide sourcing plan spanning all packaging tiers managing $100 MM in spend. Within a center-led hybrid model, the position drives negotiating power, designs index-based contracting frameworks, and shapes long-term market positioning across the portfolio. This role establishes commercial guardrails for packaging development in close collaboration with R&D and Marketing, optimizing total cost and protecting brand standards, while safeguarding manufacturing locations from commodity price volatility through disciplined, centralized oversight.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Packaging Engineering, Business, or a related highly analytical discipline. (Master’s degree preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive, global procurement experience, with a proven track record managing highly complex packaging portfolios in the FMCG, chemical, or manufacturing sectors.
• Deep, structural understanding of packaging manufacturing processes (extrusion, blow molding, corrugation, printing), raw material index mechanisms, and advanced strategic sourcing methodologies.
• Advanced capability in should-cost modeling, tooling analysis, and index-based contract mechanics.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, with proficiency in data analysis and reporting.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to synthesize disconnected macroeconomic events and consumer trends into a cohesive, global sourcing blueprint.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relentless focus on quantitative evidence over qualitative vendor narratives.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and e-procurement tools (e.g. Coupa, Ariba, Rosslyn, others).
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• The ability to adapt to changing situations, new information, and unexpected challenges.

Nice To Haves

• Master degree in supply chain management, business, packaging engineering or in related analytical discipline.
• Multilingual capabilities (e.g., Mandarin, Thai) to facilitate seamless negotiation and management within the APAC hub.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• APICS or ISM certification (e.g., CPIM, CPSM) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a robust, clear and aggressive 12–36 month global category strategy covering flexible, rigid, corrugated, labels, and tertiary packaging. Takes innovation, supply chain resilience, supplier relationships, and commodity volatility to deliver 4-5% cost savings to enable clear commercial advantage.
• Proactively works with Marketing and R&D to enhance cost leverage, operational efficiency, and sustainability outcomes before finalization.
• Structure and enforce transparent, index-linked agreements, separating material inputs from conversion costs using market benchmarks.
• Lead value creation through advanced total cost modeling, incorporating yield, throughput, transportation efficiency, and disposal impacts.
• Track raw material trends (pulp, films, resins, and inks) to secure advantageous forward positions and prevent unjustified cost pass-throughs.
• Expand and diversify the supplier network to strengthen resilience, reduce risk exposure, and ensure consistent supply.
• Align with Marketing, R&D, Operations, and Quality to maintain centralized commercial control while enabling seamless execution at site level.
• Drive adoption of recycled content, lightweighting, and simplified material formats to meet ESG objectives without eroding profitability. Lead a 1-2 person team of packaging adjacent supply spend.
• Lead and coach regional procurement resources, ensuring strong execution of sourcing strategy an1–2-person engagement.
• Build robust total cost models, should-cost models and LPP modeling techniques incorporating yield, scrap, freight, and quality to identify, dimension and deliver on savings opportunities.
• Prepare concise, insight-rich updates for senior leadership on market dynamics, supplier performance, and risk posture. Lead senior leader level communication on commodity market impacts, mitigation strategies, and procurement-driven savings opportunities to deliver business value.
• Enforce supplier KPIs covering quality, delivery, emissions, and competitiveness through disciplined tracking systems.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Healthcare Plan - Medical, dental, and vision plans start on day one of employment for full-time teammates.
• Educational Assistance - We offer educational assistance to all eligible teammates enrolled in an approved, accredited collegiate program.
• Employer-Paid Life Insurance and Disability - We offer employer-paid life insurance and disability coverage.
• Voluntary Supplemental Programs – We offer additional options to secure your financial future including supplemental life, hospitalization, critical illness, and other insurance programs.
• Support for your Growing Family – Adoption assistance, fertility benefits (in medical plan) and parental leave are available for teammates planning for a family.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and 401(k) - We offer these voluntary financial programs to help teammates prepare for their future, as well as other voluntary benefits.
• Paid Leave - In addition to sick days and short-term leave, we offer holidays, vacation days, personal days, and additional types of leave – including parental leave.
• Well-Being – Also included in our offering is a Teammate Assistance Program (TAP), Calm Health, Cancer Resources Services, and discount programs – all at no cost to you.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior