Estimating and Purchasing Manager

Körber Pharma Packaging AG; Camden (NJ); On-site; USD 115,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Körber Pharma Packaging AG is seeking a Print and Packaging Estimating & Purchasing Manager for our Camden, NJ plant. In this in-person role you will lead the estimating team, supervise procurement of packaging materials, and ensure cost-effective, quality-focused purchasing practices.

You will liaise with Sales, Production, and Suppliers to optimize margins and reliability, applying deep knowledge of pharmaceutical secondary packaging and printing operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in print estimating, purchasing, procurement, or related packaging manufacturing.
• Pharmaceutical secondary packaging experience including folding cartons, leaflets, and labels.
• Experience sourcing and purchasing printing materials and packaging components.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support estimating team to review specs and determine production costs.
• Determine economical manufacturing methods meeting customer specs and quality.
• Oversee preparing and maintaining competitive quotations and proposals.
• Maintain estimating databases, pricing structures, and standards.
• Collaborate with Sales and Operations to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Source, negotiate, and procure paperboard, paper, inks, coatings, and packaging materials.
• Establish strong supplier relationships and evaluate performance on quality and delivery.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, lead times, and service agreements.
• Provide purchasing recommendations to support business objectives.
• Identify alternative suppliers and ensure supply chain resilience.
• Work with Production, Planning, and Quality to resolve shortages and issues.
• Serve as primary contact for estimating and purchasing across the organization.

Skills

Estimating

Purchasing

Cost analysis

Supplier management

Negotiation

Packaging knowledge

Tools

PACE

EFI Radius

EFI Pace

Excel

Job description

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Körber Pharma Packaging Materials succeeds through the commitment and expertise of its people. We work together to operate safely, produce quality products, continuously improve our processes, and meet our customers’ expectations. By combining experience, teamwork, and a focus on operational excellence, we deliver reliable results every day.

This role is in-person at our manufacturing plant in Camden, NJ. The Print and Packaging Estimating & Purchasing Manager is responsible for overseeing all estimating and purchasing functions to ensure accurate job costing, competitive pricing, and strategic procurement of materials and services. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of printing processes, pharmaceutical secondary packaging materials, finishing operations, and supply chain management. This position serves as a key liaison between Sales, Production, Customer Service, Suppliers, and Management to maximize profitability while maintaining quality and customer satisfaction.

Your role in our team

• You will lead and support the estimating team in reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting job specifications provided by Sales, Customer Service, or clients to determine production requirements and accurate manufacturing costs
• You will determine the most economical and efficient manufacturing methods while meeting customer specifications and quality standards
• You will oversee the preparation, review, and maintenance of competitive quotations and proposals that support business growth and profitability
• You will maintain estimating databases, costing models, pricing structures, and estimating standards to ensure accuracy and consistency
• You will collaborate with Sales and Operations teams to identify cost-saving opportunities and value-added solutions for customers
• You will analyze historical job data, production performance, and material usage to improve estimating accuracy and operational efficiency
• You will source, negotiate, and procure paperboard, paper, labels, inks, coatings, and packaging materials required for production
• You will establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, converters, and subcontractors while evaluating performance related to quality, service, delivery, and pricing
• You will negotiate pricing, terms, lead times, and service agreements to ensure cost-effective purchasing practices while maintaining quality requirements
• You will obtain and evaluate competitive vendor quotations and make purchasing recommendations that support business objectives
• You will identify alternative suppliers and materials to reduce supply chain risk and support business continuity
• You will work closely with Production, Planning, and Quality teams to resolve material shortages, supplier concerns, and delivery issues
• You will serve as the primary point of contact for estimating and purchasing activities across the organization
• You will support strategic initiatives focused on cost reduction, margin improvement, supplier consolidation, and operational efficiency
• You will provide guidance and mentorship to estimating and purchasing team members while supporting department growth
• You will participate in customer meetings, supplier reviews, and internal planning discussions as needed

Your profile

• You have a minimum of 5 years of experience in print estimating, purchasing, procurement, or a related packaging manufacturing environment
• Your pharmaceutical secondary packaging experience is required, including Folding Cartons, Package Inserts/Leaflets, and Pressure Sensitive Labels
• You have demonstrated experience sourcing and purchasing printing materials and packaging components
• You possess a strong understanding of printing processes, materials, finishing operations, and production workflows
• You have working knowledge of paperboard, paper grades, inks, coatings, adhesives, and packaging substrates
• You have a solid understanding of printing equipment, production capabilities, run speeds, and the most efficient manufacturing methods
• Your experience with PACE, EFI Radius, EFI Pace, or other EFI MIS/ERP systems is a plus
• You are proficient in Microsoft Excel and other business software applications
• Your experience negotiating supplier agreements and managing vendor relationships is preferred
• Your printed marketing collateral experience is preferred
• Your prior supervisory or management experience in estimating, purchasing, or packaging operations is preferred
• You can work effectively under tight deadlines while managing projects of varying size and complexity
• You are a team player with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, exceptional attention to detail, excellent organizational abilities, and effective communication skills

Join Körber Pharma and you will work in an innovative, friendly environment, providing the opportunity to advance your career. As part of the team, you contribute to the solution throughout the entire pharma value chain.

• You are part of a global operating company with a wide customer base and a growing business
• You will work in a team that is focusing on customer requirements
• You will get an attractive compensation package including health, dental, vision insurance, and a retirement plan
• Your total compensation for this role is estimated to be $115,000 - $130,000 comensurate on experience at the time of posting

Equal employeropportunity

Körber Pharma is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Our nation’s military veterans represent the top talent this country has to offer. They bring meaningful skills to the workplace and are assets to our company. We encourage U.S. Military Veterans to apply.

We value diversity and therefore welcome all applicants - regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity, and any other protected status. You can find out more about our culture here Culture at Körber - it's worth taking a look!

If you have any questions or technical problems, please send us an e-mail to [e-mail] . Raven Pinckney is the responsible person for this job advertisement. We work with permanent partners and therefore ask recruitment consultants to refrain from contacting us by e-mail or telephone.
At Körber, we think long term and pursue objectives that apply across all of our business areas. In line with our vision of "Market Leadership through Technology Leadership," we have defined our "Life 2035" goals for the next decade to ensure that Körber becomes the leading partner in our industries-life Science, Supply Chain, and High-Tech Manufacturing-by-2035.Life 2035 is built on four pillars that define how we embrace our shaping role: Leadership, Innovation, Findependence, and Empowerment. Sustainably profitable growth and financial independence form the foundation for achieving our ambitious financial targets for the next decade. By 2035, we aim to achieve global revenues of €10 billion. You can find more at https://www.koerber.com/en/about-us/what-drives-us

Körber is a global technology company for intelligent manufacturing and supply chain solutions. As a reliable innovation partner, Körber turns entrepreneurial thinking into customer success by providing leading technology to fuel what's next - from end-to-end pharma production and advanced supply chain solutions to high-tech machinery and process equipment. Körber combines deep domain expertise with integrated hardware, software, and digital services, to help customers take the next step.
The Business Area Pharmais part of Körber, a global technology company for intelligent manufacturing and supply chains solutions.