Procurement Category Manager – Packaging Materials (all gender)
What You Will Enjoy Doing
Every day, billions of people around the globe interact with products made possible by ALPLA – step into a strategic role where your sourcing expertise shapes the packaging solutions behind those moments.
What You Will Enjoy Doing
Every day, billions of people around the globe interact with products made possible by ALPLA – step into a strategic role where your sourcing expertise shapes the packaging solutions behind those moments.
This is a highly strategic role that combines category expertise with operational execution to deliver measurable value across the supply chain.
- Develop and implement a robust sourcing strategy for secondary packaging materials (e.g. corrugated packaging, inliners, stretch foils, pallets) across Europe
- Conduct comprehensive market analyses to identify trends, risks, and opportunities within the category, aligning sourcing initiatives with both regional and global objectives
- Lead end-to-end sourcing projects from supplier identification to contract negotiation and implementation, with a focus on cost-efficiency, compliance, and supplier performance
- Build and maintain strategic, long-term supplier relationships to foster innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement, including regular performance evaluations
- Initiate and execute cost optimization projects without compromising on quality, service levels, or supply reliability
- Ensure a reliable and consistent supply of packaging materials to support regional production needs
- Act as a strategic business partner to cross-functional teams including procurement, sales, operations, logistics, and finance
- Act as an ambassador of the IMP:ACT program over the 2025/2026 time frame
- Be an active and highly motivated member of the Cluster Procurement Leadership Team, joining regular meeting, workshop, brainstorming sessions in line with the IMP:ACT program principles
What makes you great
- You have a degree in supply chain, business administration, engineering, or a related field
- Over the past ten years, you have built solid expertise in procurement or category management, preferably in the packaging, chemicals, or manufacturing industries
- Your professional background includes experience in international and matrixed organizations, where you successfully led complex sourcing initiatives
- You combine deep knowledge of packaging materials and supplier markets with a keen understanding of raw materials like paper, plastics, or steel
- You are comfortable analyzing market trends and cost structures and have worked with market indices such as EUWID
- A hands-on mindset helps you navigate environments with limited data structures
- You are a skilled negotiator, a strategic thinker, and confident in engaging with stakeholders at all levels
- Proficiency in digital procurement tools such as SAP Ariba or Coupa, along with data visualization skills, rounds off your profile
- Flexible work location within Europe – this position can be based in Austria, Italy, Spain, or Germany
What you can expect working with us
- You can develop personally with us and can expect interesting assignments and creative opportunities
- You will rapidly find your feet in the team and can get off to a flying start thanks to our tried and test onboarding period
- Unlimited workplace flexibility thanks to generous rules regarding working from home
- Appreciation – we practise diversity and good-natured interaction with one another
- We believe in flat hierarchies, short decision making paths and open communication
Seniority level
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Job function
Job function
Marketing and SalesIndustries
Industrial Machinery Manufacturing, Plastics Manufacturing, and Packaging and Containers Manufacturing
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