Category Sourcing Manager

PPC-Flex; Rome (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

PPC-Flex is seeking a strategic Sourcing Manager for Flexible Packaging to lead film category strategy, optimize supplier performance, and drive cost efficiency while maintaining quality and sustainability. The role collaborates with purchasing, engineering, sales, operations, and sustainability to align packaging initiatives with business goals.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of purchasing in a manufacturing setting, preferably in flexible packaging, and strong relationship management skills

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of purchasing/materials management in a manufacturing environment, preferably in flexible packaging
• Experience with supplier relationship management and scorecards
• Ability to read/write English and perform detailed administrative tasks

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes the strategic sourcing plan for the films category
• Identifies and documents supplier improvement opportunities and cost-saving ideas
• Analyzes market trends and supplier capabilities to optimize cost, quality and delivery
• Manages supplier performance via scorecards and provides feedback for improvements
• Collaborates with purchasing, engineering, sales, operations and sustainability teams
• Mitigates supply risks and ensures continuity of film materials in production
• Supports film stocking programs to reduce lead times and inventory obsolescence
• Leads commercialization efforts during pilot and scale-up production

Skills

Action-oriented

Assertive

Diplomatic

Multitasking

English proficiency

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

Windows OS

Job description

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Category Sourcing Manager

SG&A Buffalo Grove, IL, US

Salary Range: $90,000.00 To $110,000.00 Annually

Position Summary:

We are seeking a strategic and results-driven Category Manager – Flexible Packaging to lead the management of flexible packaging solutions across our product lines. This role is responsible for optimizing supplier performance and ensuring cost efficiency while maintaining high standards of quality, sustainability, and innovation. The ideal candidate will have market knowledge of flexible packaging materials (e.g., films, laminates, pouches), excellent supplier relationship skills, and the ability to balance operational execution with material demand planning. This role collaborates closely with purchasing, engineering, sales, operations, and sustainability teams to align packaging initiatives with broader business goals

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Executes the strategic sourcing plan for the identified category - films
• Identifies, pursues, implements, and documents improvement initiatives with suppliers
• Analyze market trends, supplier capabilities, and internal requirements to identify cost-saving and innovation opportunities
• Administers and reports on supplier performance through Supplier Scorecards for key suppliers and provides regular feedback to those suppliers for improvement efforts and allocation decisions
• Develops and maintains positive/proactive relationships with suppliers and manufacturing
• Identify and mitigate supply risks, ensuring supply chain resilience and continuity of film materials
• Implement Product Line Simplification (PLS) strategy across all film categories
• Monitor category performance metrics including cost, quality, delivery, and sustainability KPIs
• Follow up and manage supplier corrective actions as needed
• Supports agreed to Film Stocking Programs to assure our short lead times are responsive for key customers while closely managing the substantial investment in the related film inventory to minimize obsolescence
• Key player in our Commercialization process as we trial and scale-up production in a safe and timely manner
• Possess strong organization skills
• Work closely with product development, sustainability, and quality teams to support packaging innovation and compliance
• Generates improvement ideas and embraces improvement projects to better the business
• As an agent of the company, this position is expected to project a professional image and positive attitude while assertively getting the results needed to support a fast-to-market production environment
• Other duties may be assigned and are required as part of the essential functions of the position

Skills and Qualifications:

• Action-oriented, assertive, and diplomatic in order to get things done on time. This position requires multi-tasking and an individual who enjoys working with a sense of urgency and is capable of creative problem-solving to overcome challenges and hurdles in the supply chain.
• Detailed in doing required paperwork and computer inputs with a high degree of accuracy. Able to read and write in English.
• Ability to participate as a team member with consensus decision-making.
• Experience with business operating systems and knowledge of Windows Computing programs a must with some degree of proficiency (prefer Excel, Word, Outlook).
• 3-5 years of purchasing and/or materials management experience in a manufacturing environment, with most of that specifically in the Flexible Packaging industry, highly preferable.
• Knowledge of administrative processes in a plastic manufacturing facility a plus.

Working Conditions and/or Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to consistently produce high-quality work in a fast-paced production environment.
• Must be able to identify, prioritize, and meet multiple expectations for area of responsibility.
• Must be excellent at verbal communication.
• Must have the ability to work at computer with previous computing expertise.
• Must maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.
• Must travel as required; overnight travel may be required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities in order to perform the essential functions.