Sourcing Specialist - Packaging

Position Summary

The Sourcing

• Specialist – Packaging is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and
• managing packaging materials required to support manufacturing operations. This
• position works closely with Procurement, Planning, Production, Quality,
• R&D, Customer Service, and suppliers to ensure packaging is available on
• time, at the right quality, and at best total cost.
• The position will manage
• assigned packaging commodities, develop supplier relationships, negotiate
• pricing, monitor supplier performance, and support new product launches and
• packaging changes.
• This is an onsite work model at our headquarters in Naperville, IL.
• Please note: This position is not eligible for sponsorship or visa transfer

Key Responsibilities

Packaging Sourcing &

Procurement

• Source packaging materials including cartons,
• corrugated cases, bags, films, labels, liners, totes, pallets, and other
• packaging components.
• Develop and maintain qualified packaging
• suppliers.
• Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations and
• negotiate pricing, terms, lead times, MOQs, and payment terms.
• Identify opportunities to reduce packaging cost
• through competitive sourcing, specification changes, volume leverage, and
• supplier negotiations.
• Maintain accurate pricing and supplier
• information within the ERP system.
• Monitor market conditions and identify packaging
• cost trends and risks.

Supply & Inventory

Management

• Ensure packaging materials are available to
• support the production schedule.
• Work closely with Planning and Production
• Scheduling to identify upcoming packaging requirements.
• Monitor supplier lead times, minimum order
• quantities, and inventory levels.
• Support appropriate Min/Max, safety
• stock, and reorder-point levels.
• Identify and resolve potential shortages before
• they impact production.
• Coordinate expedited orders when necessary while
• minimizing premium freight costs.
• Help manage obsolete and excess packaging
• inventory.

Supplier Management

Establish strong relationships with key packaging

suppliers.

Monitor supplier performance for

On-time delivery

Quality

Pricing

Responsiveness

• Lead-time adherence
• Participate in supplier scorecards and business
• reviews.
• Work with Quality to address packaging defects
• and corrective actions.
• Develop alternate suppliers for critical or
• high-risk packaging materials.

New Product &

Packaging Development

• Support R&D and Commercial teams with
• packaging sourcing for new products.
• Obtain quotes and lead times for new packaging
• components.
• Coordinate packaging samples and trials with
• suppliers.
• Support development of packaging specifications,
• artwork, and revisions.
• Ensure packaging changes are communicated to
• Planning, Production, Quality, and suppliers.
• Support BOM development and packaging component
• setup in the ERP system.

Cost Savings &

Continuous Improvement

• Develop and execute annual packaging
• cost-reduction initiatives.
• Conduct competitive bidding and supplier
• comparisons.

Identify opportunities for

• Volume consolidation
• Specification optimization
• Alternate materials
• Alternate suppliers
• Freight optimization
• Contract pricing
• Longer-term supply agreements
• Track and report purchasing savings and cost
• avoidance.

#LI-SP1

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in purchasing, sourcing,
• procurement, or supply chain.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business, Operations or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience sourcing packaging materials,
• preferably within food or consumer products manufacturing.
• Strong negotiation and supplier-management
• skills.

Experience working with ERP systems; Plex

• experience is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to manage multiple suppliers, projects,
• and priorities.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with frozen food, food manufacturing,
• or co-packing.
• Knowledge of corrugated, flexible packaging,
• cartons, films, labels, and printed materials.

Experience with packaging specifications and

artwork.

Experience with supplier scorecards and strategic

• sourcing.
• Understanding of food manufacturing quality and
• food-safety requirements.
• Experience supporting new product introductions.

Benefits

Comprehensive

Benefits Package including

Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA, Life and

AD&D Insurance, Short-term Disability, and Long-term Disability

Paid

• Time Off, and Paid Holidays
• 401(k) matching,
• Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance

Accident

Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Employee Assistance Program,