Category Buyer

IPL Schoeller; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

IPL Schoeller is seeking a Category Buyer to support strategic sourcing and procurement of plastic materials and related products. You will help drive cost-effective purchasing decisions, manage supplier relationships, and support category strategy initiatives that align with business objectives.

Working closely with Procurement, Supply Chain, Planning, Inventory, Quality, and Product Development teams, you will help ensure a reliable supply of materials while identifying opportunities to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in procurement, sourcing, or category management within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of procurement and supply chain processes.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and supporting sourcing initiatives.
• Ability to analyze data, identify opportunities, and make informed recommendations.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams.
• Experience with ERP systems; IFS experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of sustainability practices and principles preferred.
• Familiarity with Lean methodologies is advantageous.
• Willingness to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Manage the purchase order lifecycle from requisition through receipt, ensuring accuracy and timely processing.
• Support sourcing initiatives, supplier selection activities, and contract negotiations.
• Assist with the preparation, issuance, and evaluation of RFPs and RFQs.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, monitor performance, and address supply-related issues.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Planning, Inventory, Supply Chain, and other stakeholders to align procurement activities with operational needs.
• Support the development and execution of category management strategies focused on cost savings, quality, and risk reduction.
• Analyze procurement data and prepare reports to identify trends, supplier performance, and improvement opportunities.
• Partner with supply chain teams to optimize procurement processes and improve efficiency.
• Continuously evaluate and improve procurement processes and best practices.

Skills

Procurement processes

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel readiness

Lean methodologies

Sustainability awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, or related field

Tools

IFS ERP

Job description

Who We Are

On July 1, 2025, IPL Plastics merged with Schoeller Allibert to form IPL Schoeller (the company). The Company’s operations are split across North America (11 manufacturing plants) and Europe (16 manufacturing plants).

Who We Are

On July 1, 2025, IPL Plastics merged with Schoeller Allibert to form IPL Schoeller (the company). The Company’s operations are split across North America (11 manufacturing plants) and Europe (16 manufacturing plants). The company is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. IPL Schoeller is a leading manufacturer of sustainable rigid packaging solutions across a range of end market segments including returnable transit packaging, consumer and industrial packaging, environmental containers and agricultural packaging. The company employs c.4,100 employees across North America (1,600 employees) and Europe (2,500 employees.)

The role

We are seeking a Category Buyer to support strategic sourcing and procurement activities for plastic materials and related products. In this role, you will help drive cost-effective purchasing decisions, manage supplier relationships, and support category strategy initiatives that align with business objectives.

Working closely with Procurement, Supply Chain, Planning, Inventory, Quality, and Product Development teams, you will play a key role in ensuring a reliable supply of materials while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and mitigate risk.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the purchase order lifecycle from requisition through receipt, ensuring accuracy and timely processing.
• Support sourcing initiatives, supplier selection activities, and contract negotiations.
• Assist with the preparation, issuance, and evaluation of RFPs and RFQs.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, monitor performance, and address supply-related issues.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Planning, Inventory, Supply Chain, and other stakeholders to align procurement activities with operational needs.
• Support the development and execution of category management strategies focused on cost savings, quality, and risk reduction.
• Analyze procurement data and prepare reports to identify trends, supplier performance, and improvement opportunities.
• Partner with supply chain teams to optimize procurement processes and improve efficiency.
• Continuously evaluate and improve procurement processes and best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in procurement, sourcing, or category management within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of procurement and supply chain processes.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and supporting sourcing initiatives.
• Ability to analyze data, identify opportunities, and make informed recommendations.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams.
• Experience with ERP systems; IFS experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of sustainability practices and principles preferred.
• Familiarity with Lean methodologies is advantageous.
• Willingness to travel as needed.