Procurement Manager, Paper & Flex Packaging

The Procurement Manager, Paper (corrugate) & Flex (shrink sleeves, shrink film, stretch film) Packaging is accountable for leading all activities within strategic sourcing and procurement operations for the Paper and Flex categories within the packaging portfolio at fairlife. This role is directly responsible for managing and overseeing the development and execution of sourcing strategies that align with fairlife’s strategic objectives: cost improvements, supply resilience, innovation, and supporting growth. The position delivers value to the business by ensuring fairlife sources the highest quality, most cost-effective packaging materials from a reliable, high performing supply base. The Procurement Manager, Paper & Flex Packaging will drive business continuity and risk mitigation, collaborate on sustainability & innovation initiatives, be an owner in the Supplier Relationship Management process, and deliver continuous improvement in the value chain.

Responsibilities

Lead all procurement and category management activities for Paper & Flex Packaging spend at fairlife; Identify, develop, and implement sourcing strategies that reduce total delivered cost, mitigate inflationary headwinds, and bolster supply resiliency; Manage supplier performance through routine business reviews and cross-functional scorecard evaluation process; Identify risks and vulnerabilities within paper & flex packaging supply base and develop risk mitigation strategies to build a more resilient supply chain; Lead Request for Proposal (RFP) process to ensure consistent lowest total cost of ownership; Develop and execute vendor agreements in close collaboration with Legal Team; Assist in the development and management of annual material cost budgets; Analyze and forecast market inflation trends and work to address any price variances to budget; Support Packaging Engineering Team in innovation and sustainability projects involving supplier & material selection; Develop a supply base which creates and sustains a competitive advantage, enabling strong supply chain resilience while effectively leveraging spend, and driving innovation & sustainability; Monitor, track and report on savings and key performance indicators for category; Stays abreast of industry trends, supplier capabilities, and emerging technologies within the paper & flex packaging industry; Support new packaging development projects, including supplier selection and qualification; Resolve any unforeseen problems with suppliers relating to operations, purchasing or quality/performance; Collaborate with Planning Team on inventory flow & order optimization opportunities

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree (Preferably in Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance or Engineering); 5+ years’ experience performing packaging strategic sourcing or relevant experience; Sound technical knowledge in flexible packaging (shrink sleeves, shrink film, stretch film) and paper packaging (corrugate or paperboard) for beverage/CPG; Demonstrated track-record of executing year-over-year cost savings initiatives and ability to develop a cost savings project pipeline; Category management capabilities to mobilize cross-functional teams to mitigate risk and deliver value; Ability to effectively negotiate and influence business decisions; Proactive business results-focus, and proven ability to provide insights that generate value; Strategic thinker that is focused on winning today AND building for the future; Able to thrive in a dynamic and fast-moving environment, eager to partner, create value-based relationships with team members up, down and across the organization; Travel requirements up to 30%

Nice to have

Strong project management background; experience in CPG environment; degree preferably in Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, or Engineering

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, effective day one; Supplemental health plans (hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance); Paid Time Off; Paid parental leave & adoption assistance (up to $10,000); Parental support & 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 (EAP); Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability; Employer HSA funding (for HDHP participants); Tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000) and student loan repayment ($200/month); Learning & development programs; Rewards & recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups