Category Manager - Plastic

westrockcoffeeinternaljobs; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

WestRock is seeking an experienced procurement leader to develop and execute category strategies for plastics packaging across global suppliers. The role emphasizes cost management, supplier governance, and cross-functional collaboration with product development and manufacturing teams.

The ideal candidate brings 8+ years in procurement, strong certifications, and ERP experience to drive value and sustainability across packaging programs.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in Category Management, Procurement, or Supply Chain Management.
• Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Engineering, or Business; advanced degree a plus.
• Preferred certifications: CPSM, CPM, MCIPS, CPIM, PMP, APICS, ISM.
• Experience with plastics packaging including films, lids, cups, bottles, sleeves.
• Experience managing diverse supplier bases, contracts, risk, forecasting, and category strategies.
• Strong computer skills including Word, Excel, Outlook, and NetSuite or similar ERP systems.
• Ability to perform in a fast-paced, high-change manufacturing environment.
• Strong financial acumen with understanding of P&L impact and cost drivers.

Responsibilities

• Develop sourcing Category Management plans for Plastics Packaging supporting food and beverage manufacturing.
• Source and assess plastics packaging partners across domestic and international markets.
• Develop supplier evaluation systems for quality, price, delivery, sustainability, and service.
• Create and deploy structured sourcing processes for Best Value supplier relationships.
• Collaborate with Product Development and Packaging Engineering on innovation.
• Execute contracts, RFIs, RFPs, proposals, and supplier agreements.
• Interface with Global Sourcing Quality Assurance for compliance and sustainability.
• Support commercialization of New Product Development projects with Sales and Operations teams.
• Serve as liaison between Procurement and Manufacturing for communication and supply continuity.

Skills

Category management

Procurement leadership

Strategic sourcing

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree a plus

Tools

NetSuite

Excel

Job description

Dynamic, self-motivated and results oriented leader with a proven record of generating and building relationships, managing projects from concept to completion, and demonstrating exceptional communication skills. Adaptable and transformational manager with an ability to develop opportunities that further establish organizational goals.

Job Duties:

• Develop sourcing Category Management plans for Plastics Packaging (films, PP cups, lids, bottles, sleeves, shrink wrap) supporting food and beverage manufacturing. Analyze and calculate total cost of procurement and use category strategies to drive multi-year sourcing plans that maintain flat to down costs in inflationary and volatile resin markets.
• Source and assess trustworthy and capable plastics packaging partners across domestic and international markets.
• Develop and maintain supplier evaluation systems to ensure quality, price, delivery, sustainability, and service performance; conduct regular compliance and business reviews.
• Create and deploy structured sourcing processes that drive Best Value supplier relationships and continuous improvement across the Global Sourcing organization.
• Partner with packaging suppliers to reduce waste, improve recyclability, increase recycled content, and introduce higher quality or lower total cost packaging solutions.
• Collaborate with Product Development and Packaging Engineering on innovation, new materials, and next-generation single-serve, RTD, and flexible packaging solutions.
• Execute contracts, RFIs, RFPs, proposals, and supplier agreements ensuring commercial, legal, and technical compliance.
• Interface with Global Sourcing Quality Assurance to ensure specifications, food-contact compliance, and sustainability standards are consistently met.
• Support commercialization of New Product Development (NPD) projects in partnership with Sales and Operations teams.
• Serve as liaison between Procurement and Manufacturing to ensure clear communication, forecast alignment, and supply continuity.

Attributes

• Demonstrates superior interpersonal, coaching, and communication skills across all organizational levels.
• Identifies opportunities to drive change, improvement, and innovation.
• Provides honest, constructive, and timely feedback.
• Celebrates success and recognizes contributions of others.

Accountability

• Motivated, self-directed, and detail oriented.
• Takes full responsibility for own actions and category outcomes.
• Follows up personally and monitors progress to ensure commitments are met.
• Holds self and suppliers accountable for performance and results.
• Demonstrates strong decision-making skills and financial KPI management.
• Exhibits strong attention to detail.

Communication

• Ability to contribute to and execute a strategic vision for a Global Procurement organization.
• Ability to effectively delegate and work with cross-functional teams.
• Effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize workload.
• Ensures information and ideas flow in all appropriate directions.
• Shares information openly while respecting confidentiality.
• Conveys information clearly and ensures understanding.

Teamwork

• Experience working as both a member and leader of teams.
• Works collaboratively toward shared goals.
• Supports team objectives and successes.
• Addresses conflict professionally and directly.
• Collaborates effectively across functions.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in Category Management, Procurement, or Supply Chain Management, preferably within food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods.
• Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Engineering, or Business; advanced degree a plus.
• Preferred professional certifications: CPSM, CPM, MCIPS, CPIM, PMP, APICS, ISM.
• Experience with plastics packaging including films, rigid plastics, lids, cups, bottles, and sleeves.
• Experience managing diverse supplier bases, contracts, risk, forecasting, and category strategies.
• Strong computer skills including Word, Excel, Outlook, and NetSuite or similar ERP systems.
• Ability to perform in a fast-paced, high-change manufacturing environment.
• Strong financial acumen with understanding of P&L impact and cost drivers.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Vets / Disabled