Associate Category Manager, Packaging

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

Pharmavite is seeking an Associate Category Manager, Packaging to lead sourcing for corrugate and label packaging across our manufacturing network. You will partner with Operations, Quality, R&D/Packaging Engineering, Finance and Legal to support current needs and future packaging initiatives.

You will manage day-to-day sourcing activities, supplier relationships, pricing analysis, contract support and cross‑functional requirements to ensure continuity of supply, cost competitiveness, quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, 2–3+ years in strategic sourcing, procurement, or packaging.
• Experience in manufacturing, CPG, pharma, nutraceutical, or regulated environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication and data analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategy for corrugate and labels with supplier analysis and pricing trends.
• Lead RFx events, bid analysis, supplier evaluation, and commercial term alignment.
• Manage supplier performance, KPI tracking, and issue resolution; pursue continuous improvements.
• Collaborate with Planning, Operations, Quality, R&D/Packaging Engineering, Legal, and Finance.
• Support pricing, savings, cost avoidance, and total cost of ownership analyses.
• Assist packaging change initiatives, including new items and sustainability needs.

Skills

Strategic Sourcing

Procurement

Supply Chain

Packaging

Operations

Analytical thinking

Cross‑functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

ERP systems

Sourcing tools

Procurement portals

Job description

HELP US BRING THE GIFT OF HEALTH TO LIFE. Working at Pharmavite is an experience like no other. With a focus on complete nutrition for all, each endeavor is urgent and every day counts. You'll have the opportunity to work on the #1 selling national vitamin and supplement brand, Nature Made, as well as an exciting portfolio of other products that are shaping the future of the healthy living industry. Consumer-driven innovation, high quality products and a promising portfolio, all driven by a team with a shared sense of purpose -- that’s Pharmavite. Join us to bring the gift of health to life. This role is not available for any form of immigration sponsorship or support, including completion of the Form I-983 training plan required for STEM OPT.

Position Summary: The Associate Category Manager, Packaging is responsible for supporting the development and execution of sourcing strategies for corrugate and label packaging categories across Pharmavite’s manufacturing network. This role manages day-to-day sourcing activities, supplier relationships, pricing analysis, contract support, and cross‑functional business needs to ensure continuity of supply, cost competitiveness, quality compliance, and service performance. This role partners closely with Operations, Planning, Quality, R&D/Packaging Engineering, Finance, Legal, and suppliers to support both current business needs and future packaging initiatives. The Associate Category Manager reports to the Manager, Strategic Sourcing — Direct and does not have direct people management responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Support category strategy development and execution for corrugate and labels, including supplier landscape analysis, pricing trends, risk assessment, capacity considerations, and category roadmap inputs.
• Lead and support sourcing events including RFx development, bid analysis, supplier evaluation, pricing negotiations, commercial term alignment, and award recommendations for corrugate and label packaging materials.
• Manage supplier performance and relationships by supporting business reviews, KPI tracking, service issue resolution, quality escalation support, and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Partner cross-functionally with Planning, Operations, Quality, R&D/Packaging Engineering, Legal, Finance, and suppliers to ensure packaging materials meet supply, cost, quality, compliance, and innovation requirements.
• Support pricing, savings, and cost avoidance tracking through market analysis, competitive benchmarking, material cost reviews, inflation/deflation analysis, and supplier negotiations.
• Maintain and improve commercial controls including pricing files, supplier documentation, contracts, specifications alignment, sourcing records, and compliance with procurement policies.
• Support packaging change initiatives including new item launches, alternate supplier qualifications, material substitutions, artwork/label changes, sustainability-related packaging needs, and risk mitigation actions.
• Identify opportunities to reduce complexity, improve service, and drive value through supplier consolidation, specification optimization, standardization, lead time improvements, and total cost of ownership analysis.

Critical Success Factors

• Strong ownership and follow‑through — able to manage details, timelines, supplier requests, and internal commitments with limited reminders.
• Learning Agility and Growth Mindset – Demonstrates curiosity and a strong aptitude for learning new categories, business processes, supplier markets, and technical packaging concepts. Seeks feedback, applies coaching, and proactively develops expertise over time.
• Analytical rigor — comfortable working with pricing, spend, supplier bids, forecasts, inventory/service impacts, and total cost of ownership considerations.
• Supplier management discipline — able to support negotiations, address performance gaps, prepare business reviews, and maintain productive supplier relationships.
• Cross‑functional influence — able to work effectively with Planning, Operations, Quality, R&D/Packaging Engineering, Regulatory, Finance, and other stakeholders without direct authority.
• Business curiosity and strategic thinking — able to connect tactical sourcing activities to broader category goals, risk mitigation, cost objectives, sustainability, and operational needs.
• Comfort with ambiguity — able to navigate changing business priorities, urgent supply needs, supplier constraints, and packaging project timelines while staying organized and solution‑oriented.

Capabilities & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree preferred 2–3+ years of experience in Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Supply Chain, Packaging, Operations, or related business roles
• Experience supporting manufacturing, CPG, food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, or other regulated environments preferred.
• Ability to analyze spend, pricing, supplier bids, usage forecasts, market trends, and cost drivers to support sourcing recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to summarize issues, present recommendations, and communicate clearly with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills; experience with ERP, sourcing tools, supplier portals, or procurement systems preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities while maintaining accuracy, urgency, and follow‑through.
• Ability to travel to supplier sites or Pharmavite locations as business needs require.

OUR OFFER

Here, career paths aren’t predefined, and bureaucratic limitations don’t exist -- you have the opportunity to grow, learn from industry pioneers, and develop the way you want to. Pharmavite is investing more in the development of our team -- to help us deliver on our purpose and help you achieve your career aspirations. Our environment is geared to fuel curiosity, encourage experimentation, and generate learning as this is the way we develop ourselves and our organization. Pharmavite is committed to meeting the needs of our employees and their families with a Total Rewards package that’s as comprehensive as the vitamins and supplements we deliver to consumers. With competitive compensation programs and standout benefits, we provide employees with optimal health and well‑being -- as well as peace of mind. These rewards -- plus our new recognition program -- ensure employees feel supported both at work and home.

National Target Base Pay Range: $80,000.00 - $133,000.00. The salary range for this position is based on national standards. For candidates in California and the New York metro, the Target Base Pay Range is $88,000.00 - $146,000.00, to reflect the cost of living and market conditions in those areas. Actual compensation will take into account a wide range of factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to geographic location, education, experience, qualifications, and job-related skills. It is not typical for an individual to be hired above the midpoint of the range for their role, and compensation decisions depend on the facts and circumstances of each case. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with state and local laws. Base pay is only one component of our total rewards offerings, and we will take the full offering into consideration when presenting an offer of employment.

Our total rewards package for this position may also include an annual performance bonus, Medical, dental, and vision benefits, 401(k) match, and other wellness benefits.

Health and wellness begins with us.

Pharmavite is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit employment discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, and any other basis protected by state and federal law. Pharmavite recruits, hires, employs, trains, promotes, and compensates individuals solely based on job-related qualifications and abilities. Pharmavite also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities or based on a sincerely held religious belief, in accordance with applicable laws.

If you need to inquire about an accommodation to complete the application process, please email [e-mail].

CALIFORNIA FAIR CHANCE ACT: Qualified Applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for Employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

More than 50 years ago, our founders aimed to improve health & wellness by focusing on the basics—good nutrition and essential vitamins & minerals. Since that day, we’ve become a leader in the health and wellness industry and have earned the trust of consumers, healthcare professionals, and retailers alike. Our sole purpose then and now is to bring the gift of health to life, by helping people achieve a healthier way of living. This purpose is our passion and priority. Helping people live healthier, fulfilling lives is no simple task. Guiding us on our journey are our core beliefs. Simply put, we believe energy and vitality fuel the pursuit of happiness. We believe our world of plenty is creating a poverty of health, but good health should be within reach for all. We also believe in achieving good health through the power of complete nutrition—not quick fixes—and that you can’t have trust without truth. Culture isn’t something that’s easily explained, but you know it when you feel it. And at Pharmavite, we like our people to feel supported. PRO-GROWTH You deserve opportunities to excel and grow professionally, no matter what role you play at Pharmavite. So we offer training and development opportunities to help you pursue your goals. FULLY DIVERSE Everyone has a different view of the world, and we love that. Having a workplace where everyone is heard is key to good collaboration and meaningful participation. HEALTH-MINDED Health isn’t something we deliver only to customers. Our employees and their families are on the receiving end too, through wellness programs that help us practice what we preach.