Category Manager - Plastic

westrockcoffeeexternaljobs; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

WestRock is seeking a dynamic leader in Global Procurement to drive plastics packaging category strategy across domestic and international suppliers. You will develop sourcing plans, evaluate supplier performance, and negotiate contracts to deliver best value for food and beverage packaging.

In this role you will partner with Product Development and Operations, manage RFIs/RFPs, ensure compliance with food-contact standards, and lead continuous improvement initiatives across the supply base.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in Category Management, Procurement or Supply Chain Management.
• Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Engineering or Business; advanced degree a plus.
• Certifications: CPSM, CPM, MCIPS, CPIM, PMP, APICS, ISM.

Responsibilities

• Develop sourcing category management plans for plastics packaging (films, cups, lids, bottles, sleeves, wrap).
• Source and assess plastics packaging partners domestically and internationally.
• Develop supplier evaluation systems to ensure quality, price, delivery, sustainability, and service performance.

Skills

Procurement

Category Management

Supply Chain

Education

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

Advanced degree a plus

Tools

NetSuite

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

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