Global Sourcing Specialist

IPG; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Extensive benefits

Career development opportunities

Ongoing training

Job summary

IPG in Minneapolis seeks a Sourcing Specialist to support Global Sourcing, focusing on paper-based materials and related raw materials. You will collaborate with R&D, Plant Operations, Quality, and Procurement to plan material trials, engage suppliers, and drive cost, quality, and availability improvements.

This role requires strong negotiation, Excel analytics, and international travel up to 20%. The position reports to the Sr.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field.
• Experience in raw material sourcing, with a preference for paper-based materials.
• Working knowledge of paper materials including varieties and release liner materials; translate technical needs with R&D and Plant Operations.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in Purchasing or Supply Chain in manufacturing.
• Experience finding, qualifying, assessing, and auditing suppliers, including international.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Excel and reporting/dashboard tools.
• Travel is required up to 20%, some international travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Support category strategies and sourcing initiatives for assigned raw materials, including paper-based materials.
• Maintain knowledge of paper markets; liaise with R&D, Plant Operations, Quality and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate trial material orders; track timelines, requirements, and trial spend.
• Lead/support RFI/RFQ/RFP processes for liners and other materials; consolidate supplier inputs and pricing data.
• Assess and integrate new or existing suppliers for future needs and innovation.
• Build and maintain supplier KPI metrics; monitor performance against targets.
• Assist in resolution of supply/quality issues; coordinate corrective actions with suppliers and internal teams.
• Develop sourcing roadmaps and monitor timetables for material availability.
• Review supplier capacities and supply risks; recommend tooling and dual sourcing where needed.
• Perform demand/supply and market analysis for pricing trends and availability.
• Manage sourcing and trial data quality; deliver dashboards to inform decisions.

Skills

Raw material sourcing

Paper & liner knowledge

Supplier qualification & auditing

Negotiation skills

Excel & analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Join the IPG Team!

Are you ready to elevate your career? At IPG, we are more than just a global leader in packaging and protective solutions—we are a community that values safety, people, passion, integrity, performance, and teamwork. From tapes and films to packaging and protective products, as well as engineered coated materials and advanced packaging machinery, we develop innovative solutions that protect the world. Now, we are expanding our global team and looking for talented individuals like you!

Position Description

Title: Sourcing Specialist

Department: Global Sourcing

Immediate Supervisor: Sr. Global Sourcing Manager

Status: Exempt

Position Overview: Supports Global Sourcing activities and assists in category management for specified raw materials, including paper related spend, and other raw materials as directed. Acts as a liaison across R&D, Plant Operations, Quality, and Procurement to facilitate material trials, supplier engagement, and sourcing initiatives. Provides category knowledge and market insights as needed, with emphasis on paper-based materials including various paper and release liners. Delivering data-driven analysis and reporting to inform decisions on cost, quality, availability, and innovation.

Principle Accountabilities

• Support category strategies and sourcing initiatives for assigned raw materials, including paper-based materials including but not limited to release liners
• Maintain working knowledge of paper markets and materials and support paper-related sourcing initiatives as needed; Serve as primary liaison across R&D, Plant Operations, Quality, and other stakeholders to plan, coordinate, and communicate material trials, qualifications, and changes.
• Coordinate trial material orders, including; track timelines, requirements, and trial-related spend to support budget visibility.
• Lead and/or support RFI/RFQ/RFP processes for liners and other materials as directed; consolidate supplier inputs, technical documentation, and pricing data.
• Assess, and integrate new or existing suppliers to support future requirements and innovation projects.
• Build and maintain supplier KPI metrics/scorecards; monitor and improve supplier performance against quality, delivery, service, and cost targets.
• Assist in resolution of supply and/or quality issues; coordinate corrective actions with suppliers and internal teams and mediate price/quality disputes as needed.
• Develop sourcing roadmaps and monitor timetables to ensure timely availability of materials to support plant operations and new product launch programs.
• Review supplier capacities and supply risks; recommend tooling and capital investments and/or dual sourcing to protect continuity and support growth.
• Perform demand/supply and market analysis to assess short and long-term pricing trends, raw material availability, and industry capacity for liners and paper.
• Manage sourcing and trial data quality; cleanse and maintain data and deliver reporting/dashboards (trial results, material performance, cost comparisons) to enable decision-making.

Essential Skills And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field
• Experience in raw material sourcing, with a preference for paper and paper-based materials.
• Working knowledge of paper materials including paper varieties and release liner materials, markets, and specifications; ability to translate technical needs with R&D and Plant Operations.
• Minimum 3 years of experience working in the Purchasing or Supply Chain field, in manufacturing environment
• Experience finding, qualifying, assessing, and auditing suppliers, including international
• Strong negotiation skills
• Excellent planning, organizational and oral and written communication skills
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Excel and reporting/dashboard tools
• Travel is required (up to 20%). Some international travel may be required.
• Position requires the ability to organize and conduct meetings with internal and external customer and suppliers.
• Position requires an advanced level of negotiating skills needed for involvement in supplier contract process and cost reductions.
• Position requires interaction with other internal groups concerning technical matters, conveying ideas, and recommending possible solutions to problems.
• Formal Project Management training a plus.

Why Choose IPG?

At IPG, you will find more than just a job—you will find a place where your success is our success. We pride ourselves on a culture built around strong relationships, where every team member plays a crucial role in our growth. Whether it is through cross-department collaboration, continuous training, or sustainability-driven initiatives, we create an environment where you can thrive.

Our commitment to sustainability influences everything we do, from designing eco-friendly products to minimizing waste in our production processes. We are dedicated to building a greener future while providing safe, supportive workplaces for our people.

With over 40 years of industry expertise and a proven track record of growth and innovation, IPG offers a stable, secure environment where you can flourish!

We offer competitive pay, extensive benefits that support you and your family, and exciting career development opportunities. Whether you are looking to enhance your skills or advance your career, we offer ongoing training and the support you need to succeed. Think big, dream bigger, and make an impact with IPG.

You belong here. Join us today!