Category Manager

LHH; West Dundee (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K

Life Insurance

Vacation

Job summary

LHH Recruitment Solutions is seeking a Category Manager – Corrugated Packaging to lead domestic sourcing strategies nationwide. You will own supplier performance, negotiate contracts, and drive cost savings across a large SKU portfolio in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires 4+ years in procurement, strong Excel skills, and a background in corrugated packaging. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to align procurement with business needs and drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field.
• 4+ years of progressive experience in purchasing or procurement.
• Mandatory experience sourcing corrugated boxes / corrugated packaging.
• Strong proficiency in Excel, including Pivot Tables and VLOOKUPs.
• Able to analyze spend data and translate insights into sourcing strategies.
• Understanding of supply chain, distribution, and inventory management.
• Established network within corrugated packaging supplier community.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute domestic sourcing strategies for corrugated packaging categories, with accountability for supplier performance and cost management.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships across multiple U.S. regions, ensuring quality and service expectations.
• Lead sourcing initiatives including RFPs, negotiations, and contract execution to achieve cost savings.
• Analyze spend data, market trends, and category intelligence to inform decisions.
• Partner with operations, logistics, and stakeholders to align procurement strategies with business needs.
• Drive continuous improvement in procurement efficiency and supplier optimization.
• Maintain item setup, pricing, supplier assignments, and MOQs across a large SKU portfolio.

Skills

Advanced Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP)

Spend data analysis

Supplier relationship management

Category strategy development

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain / Business Administration

Job description

LHH Recruitment Solutions has partnered with a growing organization, and they are seeking a motivated Category Manager – Corrugated Packagingto join their team. This is a high-impact procurement role for someone who thrives in a data-driven environment and enjoys owning category strategy, supplier relationships, and cost optimization initiatives at a national level. This opportunity is ideal for a procurement professional who has hands-on purchasing experience within corrugated boxes and packaging, is highly proficient in Excel, and is ready to step into a visible role supporting business-critical supply chain initiatives.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out:

• High visibility within the procurement and supply chain organization.
• Opportunity to influence national sourcing strategy within a stable, growing company.
• Autonomy to make meaningful business decisions while partnering with senior leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own and execute domestic sourcing strategies for corrugated packaging categories, with full accountability for supplier performance, cost management, and continuity of supply.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships across multiple U.S. regions, ensuring compliance with service, quality, and commercial expectations.
• Lead sourcing initiatives including RFPs, negotiations, and contract execution to achieve measurable cost savings and value creation.
• Analyze spend data, market trends, and category intelligence to inform purchasing and sourcing decisions.
• Partner cross-functionally with operations, logistics, and internal stakeholders to align procurement strategies with business needs.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on procurement efficiency, supplier optimization, and process standardization.
• Maintain accurate item setup, pricing, supplier assignments, and minimum order quantities across a large SKU portfolio.
• Support and mentor sourcing resources as applicable, fostering collaboration and accountability.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field.
• 4+ years of progressive experience in purchasing or procurement.
• Mandatory experience sourcing corrugated boxes / corrugated packaging.
• Strong proficiency in Excel, including Pivot Tables and VLOOKUPs.
• Proven ability to analyze spend data and translate insights into actionable sourcing strategies.
• Solid understanding of supply chain, distribution, and inventory management principles.
• Brings an established network within the corrugated packaging supplier community.
• Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.
• Analytical, detail-oriented, and confident presenting data-driven recommendations.
• Strong communicator who can influence both internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Motivated by ownership, accountability, and measurable impact.

Compensation Range: $100,000 - $120,000 + 15% Bonus

Benefits Offered: 2 weeks of vacation, paid sick leave where applicable by state law, Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance Vision Insurance, 401K, and Life Insurance.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit https://www.lhh.com/candidate-privacy/

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers